Pros and Cons of Cloud Storage: Is It Right for Your Data?
Instead of filing away your documents and files onto a physical computer hard drive or other localised storage devices, your business can use an off-site storage system operated by a third-party company. You access it remotely via a network like the internet. This system is managed and backed up by the service provider, so you don’t have to worry about conducting updates or installing any software. These types of servers can help your business grow.
Nearly everyone in the world uses some form of cloud network to save their data, whether it’s for business or personal use. The rising popularity of cloud-based computing programs is also increasing the risk of cyberattacks, though. Criminals are explicitly targeting these systems since people are using them more often to store their sensitive information. Over the past few years, countless celebrities and major companies have had their cloud storage hacked and exposed.
If you have been trying to decide whether or not you should switch your business over to a cloud-based storage system, keep on reading. In the article below, you will learn about the various advantages and disadvantages of using these services and whether they would be a good fit for your company.
Pros of Cloud Storage
Convenience
The ultimate benefit of operating on a cloud-based computing system is the freedom it brings you. Since you access it via a network like the internet, you could retrieve your data from anywhere in the world. You aren’t limited to your localised infrastructure, allowing for remote working and greater flexibility within your business.
Cost-Effective and Scalable
You don’t have to invest in multiple software or servers when using cloud storage because you are paying a third-party provider a set rate to handle it for you–which ends up saving you money this way. They also have multiple IT professionals who monitor your network at all times, so you won’t have to hire an entire in-house team yourself.
Most providers offer various packages and pricing plans, allowing you to pay only for what you need and use, accommodating your business’s growth (or decline). To figure out how much storage you need, assess how much space your current digital assets take up. Determine your growth rate to estimate your future needs, and don’t forget to reduce any duplication or unnecessary archiving to save on space.
Data Backups and Recovery
Since your files are stored remotely on a third-party server, you won’t have to fear losing your information in a system failure or security breach. Cloud systems continuously back up their servers and have recovery plans in case of an accident or mistake. If you happen to have an issue at your office, your service provider can retrieve your data quickly and effortlessly.
Cons of Cloud Storage
No Guarantee of Privacy
It can be a bit nerve-wracking handing over your sensitive information to a third-party company. You have no guarantee that they will be trustworthy or if they will misuse your data. They might not even intend to lose your private files–if they have glitches or errors within their system, they can easily get hacked or accidentally delete your server.
Locked-In Contracts
Most service providers will not work on a short-term basis. They want to lock you into a contract so they can always receive their income. This can be incredibly daunting for a business to agree to, especially since you don’t know if you can fully trust them with your sensitive data. If you find that you aren’t satisfied with their services and wish to change providers after some time, you might have to pay a penalty fee, which negates the whole point of cloud systems being less expensive than localised ones.
Contingent on Internet
If you rely heavily on your cloud storage and your internet connection happens to fail, your business is essentially shut down until you get it back up and running. Having a slow internet speed will also hinder your ability to work since it will take much longer to access your files.
No Customisation
You have no control over the cloud server, which can be challenging for businesses that require more complex storage systems. The service providers might not be able to meet your expectations and demands, despite you paying for it.
Difficult to Transfer
If you find yourself dissatisfied with your current cloud system provider for whatever reason, you are going to have a very challenging time switching over to a new one. It isn’t easy to transfer over such complex and large quantities of data, even when your business is still tiny. You want to spend time researching companies to find the perfect provider since you don’t want the headache of having to change a few months later.
It can be challenging trying to decide whether you want to use a cloud-based storage system or not. First, check whether your internet connection is strong enough to handle the demand and whether the pricing fits within your budget. Compare and analyse the costs of cloud versus localised systems and make sure you research the company thoroughly before handing over your sensitive data. If you do happen to switch to a cloud network, ensure you maintain effective management of your storage to utilise it fully and get your money’s worth.
Despite the potential risk of cloud storage systems, they still provide many advantages to industries that need room to grow. There are many layers of defence you could engage in protecting your information, such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and various security policies. These systems typically have a monthly subscription but might end up being much lower than your current costs since a third-party company manages everything for you.
Cloud storage systems can be incredibly beneficial to business growth when from a trustworthy provider and used correctly. Refer back to these pros and cons to help you with your decision-making process.
If you like the sound of the ‘hands-off’ experience and having your IT and Cybersecurity taken care of by highly trained professionals, we would love to hear from you. Call our friendly team of experts on 0345 314 2001 for a relaxed chat about how we can make all this happen for you.
Alternatively, feel free to email us from our contact page here.
Our team is ready and waiting to help in any way they can.
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