With its 30-year history, cloud storage is often viewed by companies as a safe, reliable and secure way to store their data. These services are especially useful for small businesses since they eliminate the need to have an in-house server. However, the question of whether it is safer to use cloud storage or internal servers is worth asking. Learn more about the specific advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage, including when companies choose to use a combination of public and private storage called the hybrid cloud.

What are the benefits of cloud storage?

The first major benefit of the cloud is not having the expense of running your own data center. This cost can be high and some businesses fail to spend enough to get a secure and high-quality system.

Since cloud storage services tend to have high security already, your company doesn’t need employees to manage the server. Also, there is a lesser risk that you could lose your data in an event of a disaster, such as a flood or fire. The cloud can store a large amount of data and the level of usage can be reduced or expanded to suit your company’s needs. This means that you won’t need to overspend on a large server or struggle with limited capacity.

What are the risks of cloud storage?

One of the biggest risks of using the cloud is that you are no longer fully in control of how and where your data is held. It is important to choose a reputable company that you trust and cloud storage on which you can completely rely.

It is important to remember that the cloud is still a physical server, so there is still a risk of data being lost, wiped or stolen. There is always a possibility (however small) that your data could go missing or be corrupted.

Is data safe on the cloud?

For the most part, major data breaches tend to occur mostly against companies with their own internal servers rather than cloud storage companies. Working with a high-quality cloud storage provider will certainly carry fewer risks than having your own server in-house. Although, it’s worth noting that cloud storage is vulnerable and a hacker could use your passwords to access your data, just as they would with an in-house server.

The hybrid cloud

A new, alternative option for your company is the hybrid cloud. This combination of public and private clouds shares data and applications between them. A hybrid cloud gives your business greater flexibility, more deployment options and optimizes your existing infrastructure, security and compliance.

What next?

Make sure your company chooses a data storage provider that specializes in storing certain types of data so you’re able to choose the cloud storage option that best suits your company’s needs. Also, check online reviews of a provider and check whether they have experience working with businesses similar to yours.

At MDL Technology, your company’s security is our number one concern. By offering services such as 24/7 support, network monitoring, offsite data backups, auditing and compliance and more we help ensure that you don’t need to stress about your team’s private information becoming public. Learn more about the services we offer by visiting our website.