The amount of data that needs to be stored has increased dramatically due to the digital conversion of paper documents and saving files for long periods to satisfy legislative compliance.
From enterprises to governments to small businesses to individuals, the increase in data storage has become a significant issue. While you could invest in external hard drives or new devices, a growing trend is taking advantage of the benefits of cloud storage.
In 2010, “the cloud” was water cooler talk for IT professionals and a foreign language to most consumers. Now it’s 2020, and the usage of cloud-based technologies has skyrocketed from $24.65 billion (2010) to approximately $150 billion in late 2020.
What is Cloud-based Storage?
Cloud-based storage refers to saving data via a third-party managed off-site storage system. Instead of saving a photo or document to your computer’s hard drive or local storage network, it is kept on a secure remote database.
To retrieve your data from the cloud, a standard Internet connection or dedicated private network connection is used via a web portal, website, or mobile app. Despite the ease of accessibility, storing data on the cloud is very secure. Along with data storage, the third-party company is responsible for data security.
Advantages of Cloud Computing
Traditional data storage requires the frequent purchasing of storage devices, electrical power, storage space, an IT team, and security to keep data protected and maintained. The cost of traditional storage is unpredictable, increases exponentially as your business grows, and is difficult to downsize when needed.
The benefits of cloud storage include cost-effective online storage solutions, accessibility, recovery, advanced security, and convenience.
1- Cost-Effective Online Storage Solutions
Using traditional methods to back up your data is not always cost-effective, often resulting in purchasing costly equipment such as hard drives, local servers, etc. You will also need to backup data regularly to prevent data loss, which can lead to additional staffing costs.
Cloud storage can reduce the cost by only charging you for the storage you need for a low monthly fee. Multiples cloud providers offer cloud storage with contract-free pricing, no minimum order, or hidden fees.
2- Maximize Accessibility
With cloud storage, you can securely access your account from anywhere with an Internet connection. Just by using a computer or mobile device, you can instantly have access to your account files and all of the benefits.
A lot of cloud-based tools enable you to manage a global team while scaling your business and maintaining data security. Utilizing apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams can help you securely collaborate with outside consultants, and freelancers by example.
3- Recovery
If you lose your original files, the consequences could be catastrophic. Ransomware is a form of malicious software or malware that can block access to a computer system and data until a financial ransom has been paid. This type of attack affects both individuals and businesses.
To a computer system and data until a financial ransom has been paid. This type of attack affects both individuals and businesses.
To speed up system backups and save on overall storage needs, utilize “snapshots” to capture critical system changes. Regular snapshots provide better data integrity by not saving redundant data multiple times.
Snapshots are a proactive step to overcoming a dreaded ransomware attack. They capture your entire workspace including all running apps, ensuring you can pick up where you left off right before the attack.
4- Advanced Security
Compliance refers to conforming to law, specification, policy, or standard. In regards to cybersecurity compliance, stored data is protected through a program to prevent any tampering with accessibility, integrity, and confidentiality of stored data.
Depending on what industry you are seeking cybersecurity compliance for, you may be required to meet one or more compliance regulations. For example, the healthcare industry relies on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to keep patient information secure, but if that same health provider accepts payment for services through a point-of-service (POS) system, it would also need to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
Since compliance regulation updates are often spurred by cybersecurity breaches, companies should place an emphasis on cybersecurity to protect valued consumer data. Any respectable cloud platform respects the privacy of its users. Data should never be shared.
The following steps can be taken to help prevent data breaches:
- Form a compliance team to help your company communicate any regulation concerns and be proactive with the benefits of cloud storage.
- Utilize the compliance team to identify and access risks regarding where and how data is stored.
- Determine if current compliance is sufficient or if additional firewalls, encryption, etc. are needed to meet goals.
- Continue to update auditing processes and monitor threats 24/7 to ensure new threats are detected.
- Complete routine compliance audits to spot pain points and expose weaknesses.
5- Convenience
Convenience plays an integral part in the benefits. With a dedicated cloud service provider, you can downsize your office to a computer and an internet connection. Since server hardware is no longer necessary, you may even be able to downsize your office space.
Plus, if you are on the go or simply utilize multiple devices, running a cloud-based system will ensure the newest version of your data is always accessible from any of your devices.
BONUS- Scalable Remote Work
The advantages of cloud computing go beyond cost savings, flexibility, and convenience. You can also grant data access to another individual or team of people and virtually collaborate on remote projects.
Collaborators can modify the file on the cloud and the team can see the changes in real-time. As a fully remote team ourselves, we are dedicated to helping remote teams & small/midsize businesses accelerate growth.
We know you have choices when it comes to cloud storage solutions, and we don’t take that lightly. We hope this article will convince you to do the switch to cloud storage.
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This post originally appeared on the V2 Cloud blog at https://v2cloud.com/blog/benefits-cloud-storage
