Most likely you have heard the term “cloud storage” but you may not be aware of just how beneficial it can be for individuals and companies that want to back up their data. Check out these things you should know about cloud storage if you’re thinking about signing up for a service.
Cloud Storage Protects Your Data
Storing your data in the cloud is often much more secure than storing it on your own personal computer, backup drives in your home or business, or even on servers located at your small business office. The reason is that all these files are subject to all sorts of data loss risks, such as crashing or damage from things like fires and floods. If you only have one place where you’ve backed up your files and that gets damaged, your files could be gone forever.
Cloud Storage Saves You Time and Money
Spending time backing up and syncing all your devices so you never lose your important photos, videos, and personal or business files is time-consuming. It’s also risky, because you could inadvertently overwrite files that you want or need, or forget to do your regular backups. Having a cloud storage solution that automatically backs up your data protects against forgetfulness and human error that leads to a lot of data loss.
Not All Cloud Storage Solutions are Equal
While you can find probably around a billion website from an online search for “cloud storage solutions”, not all of them are good options. Before you sign up for a service, check to make sure they offer:
- Data security and encryption that protects your files from hackers
- Automatic backups so you don’t pay for a service only to find out that you haven’t remembered to manually back up your files in months or years (something you will likely only discover when your computer crashes)
- Simple pricing models, or better yet, unlimited storage options
- Dual data backups, meaning your data is backed up in more than one place
Companies Can Take Additional Steps to Mitigate Risks
Companies that effectively use and understand cloud storage know that they also need to have important protocols in place to protect against data loss, including limiting access to only those who need it, implementing best practices for password security and updates like two-factor authentication, and monitoring all the cloud-linked access points at their own facility to prevent unwanted intrusions.
The cloud is not going away any time soon, so it’s important to understand how it can benefit you as an individual or business and learn how you can maximize the potential for cloud storage solutions.