Cloud Storage – Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Storage

Nowadays, when it comes to creating a secure backup of files, cloud storage is preferred over local storage. The reason behind it is its low cost, accessibility of data, and others. But, does this mean there are no disadvantages to using cloud storage?

With that said, in today’s, we will discuss cloud storage, its advantages and disadvantages, and which is better cloud storage or local storage.

To get more detailed information, continue reading.

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What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage, in simple terms, is a system or storage space that allows storing data on the internet. Whether you talk about Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud the definition remains the same. Cloud storage allows storing data on the cloud, thereby giving access to data anywhere, anytime using any device.

This is something interesting, and both businesses and home users can use it. If you are into a traveling job and hate carrying those bulky hard disks, use Right Backup – the online storage too.

Moreover, the automatic backup feature will save you from the trouble of remembering to back up data. But with these advantages, there are certain disadvantages too of cloud storage. We will discuss them in detail.

Types of cloud storage

This can be divided into three main cloud-based storage access models. They are:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Cloud Storage

At which the one hand, cloud storage gives the ability to share and access files remotely. It also makes you dependent on internet connectivity.

With this, let’s learn about the pros and cons of cloud storage.

Advantages of Cloud Storage

The most prominent and well-known advantage of cloud storage is to save on the cost of external hard drives. Besides, this includes various benefits too, and they are listed below:

• Save money pay for only what is consumed – Online storage or cloud storage asks the customer to pay only for the used storage. This means you can save on big capital expenses. Not only this, to use cloud storage services, you need to pay the subscription fee, and the charges are so low that they go unnoticed.
• Accessibility – Best cloud storage lets you access all uploaded files from anywhere, anytime. While doing so, the only thing that you need to take care of is internet connectivity.
• Syncing & updating data – When working with cloud storage, you don’t have to worry about updating data. As you work and make changes to a file, they are automatically synced and updated across all devices. This makes collaborating with teams easy.
• Reduction in the cost of storage devices – Since cloud storage users only have to pay for the space they are using, they can save a huge amount on external storage.
• Ease of use – Accessing cloud storage is easy and less time-consuming. This means that businesses, software testers, and developers can easily access data and keep things running; this also helps bug fixing and releasing security updates.
• Cost-saving on the offsite facility – Public cloud storage helps share data to a remote site for backup and security purposes. Again, this helps save a lot of money as businesses don’t have to maintain their remote facility.
• Security – Cloud storage providers to secure data add a layer of security to their services. This helps stay tension free and keep data protected without paying any additional cost.
• Usability – Right Backup cloud storage software offers desktop applications. This allows users to drag and drop files between cloud storage and their local storage.
• Bandwidth – Saves you from the hassle of emailing individual files; instead of using Right Backup – the best online storage, you can send a web link to the recipient and share all files, thereby saving the bandwidth.
• Emergency backup plan – Another benefit of using cloud storage is that it acts as an emergency backup plan. This means you can easily store files at a remote location that is safe from different malware attacks.
• Multiple Users – More than one person can use the same cloud environment. For instance, if access to a file is granted to several users, all can access and work on it simultaneously.
• Scalable – Flexibility and scalability is another benefit of cloud storage. This means if the current storage plan doesn’t suit you, you can upgrade it without moving your data anywhere.
• Instant data recovery – When an unforeseen incident (malware attack, hard disk failure) beyond our control takes place, the first thing we lose is data. In such scenarios, cloud storage is a savior. This is one of the biggest advantages of cloud storage.

So, these are a few advantages a cloud storage system can offer. But sometimes, this ease of use can become one of the cons. Now, let’s discuss the disadvantages of cloud storage.

Disadvantages Of Cloud Storage

Like every coin has two sides, technology has its share of drawbacks. These are some of the few shortcomings of cloud storage.

• Drag and drop option – Though this option is considered easy to use, it can sometimes make you misplace the files. So, instead of dragging and dropping the files, use the copy and paste method.
• Dependency on internet connectivity – If you don’t have an active internet connection, you cannot access the data stored in the cloud. Sometimes, this corrupts the files and makes you helpless.
• Data security & privacy – Not all cloud storage providers can secure your data. Therefore, when choosing the cloud storage service, make sure it follows all security measures and doesn’t leak your data.
• Expensive cloud storage service – If you are a home user and opt for a business cloud service, it might be expensive. So, select the plan intelligently and purchase the storage that is required.
• Data migration problem – This one is a significant setback or disadvantage of cloud storage service. After you have decided to migrate from one vendor to another, you might face a problem. The term for such a situation is called ‘vendor lock-in’ and is common in medium and large
  size businesses.
• Vulnerable to online attacks – With your sensitive personal and business information stored on the cloud, they are prone to be attacked. As the internet cannot be trusted entirely; therefore, the possibility of data being attacked always remains.
• Data Management – Another disadvantage of cloud storage is data management. Since cloud storage follows its structure to save data, your business’s existing system might not be able to integrate well with it.
• Lifetime costs – If you use public cloud storage, the price of storage might increase over the years.

So, these are the drawbacks of using cloud storage.

Now, it’s up to you to decide and see which one outweighs the other. However, if you are still looking for more insight, here are some points that will help.

Cloud storage contemplations

To confirm if cloud storage will be cost-effective or not, a company must keep the following points in mind:

• Compare the one-time and recurring costs of data management in-house and on the cloud storage.
• Check if you will need to spend additional cost in connecting with a cloud service provider or not.
• Make sure the cloud service provider takes data security and privacy into consideration.

Wrap Up – Does the advantages of Cloud Storage outweigh the Disadvantages?

Cloud services in recent times have popularity in every industry. No matter the organization’s size, everyone needs a cloud storage service to save data as it is the next power weapon. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness, accessibility, disaster data recovery management, and more outstanding benefits that cloud storage offers give it an upper hand. So, I think the Pros might outweigh the cons. But this is my opinion. I would like to know your take on it. Please leave us your response in the comments section and let us know if you go with the advantages of cloud storage or agree with the disadvantages.