What is Cloud Storage & Should My Business Be Using it?

Cloud storage is quickly becoming the norm for medium to large sized businesses around the country. Cost effective, secure and capable of storing large amounts of data, it's something you should also be considering for your business. Read on because we're going to explain what it is and the multiple benefits it can offer you.

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is the storing of information by using the internet. Unlike traditional file storage where you save a file on your computer's hard drive or flash drive (or a floppy disk many, many years ago), your data is saved on servers provided by cloud hosting companies. In the cloud, you can store photos, graphics and text securely.You great cloud provider will protect your data behind a password or two-factor authentication, and even encrypt it for you.

The types of data you can save will depend on the provider you choose, though generally they will allow you to upload text files, videos, photos and even audio files. Once they are saved, you can access and download them when required, as well as share them with others if you choose. Before you sign up to a cloud provider, check their terms and conditions as to what you can and can't store with them first.

Depending on the cloud storage provider you choose, you can upload information to the cloud in different methods. This may mean you must login to a specific online account first, only use a PC or laptop or possibly save it directly from the desktop application you are using. There are many paid storage providers, plus some free well known ones such as Google Docs. Cloud based storage can be accessed by the owner of the file anywhere, and not just by one device. It's just one of the many benefits it offers users.

Benefits of Using Cloud Storage

As cloud storage stores your data away from device, you no longer need to worry about your hard drive crashing and losing all your work! It's not fail safe though, so investing in a cloud backup is always recommended. Being able to access your data from anywhere at any time, using any device is just one of the many benefits of using cloud storage. Others include:

• you can share documents and files easily with other employees or clients.
• lower risk of having your files destroyed than if they were saved on a physical hard drive - we said lower, not none so back them up still!
• more cost effective than purchasing and maintaining hardware to store files on.
• often saved on mulitple servers around the world, with backups of your files on each.
• you only pay for the space your files use.
• often more secure against ransomware, malware and hackers.
• allows you to share large files which cannot be sent via email.

But like with everything, there are some disadvantages too. They include cybersecurity issues, ownership of files in the cloud, storage costs and if there is an internet outage, you cannot access your information.

Information Which Can Be Stored in the Cloud

Like with any type of storage, it's vital that you do not store sensitive data such as passwords, credit card details and bank account numbers. But in saying that, there are some providers which do allow you to store sensitive data for a fee.

Most businesses use cloud storage to hold information about their clients or customers, backups from their devices and physical hard drives, videos, financial records, inventory, website backups and vendor information.

Popular cloud providers you may like to work with include Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Service, Salesforce, IBM, SAP, Google, Oracle, VMware and ServiceNow.

Is cloud storage something you would consider for your business? It's definitely worth it, in our option!