Whether you're a private individual or a major corporation, backing up files and information is extremely important. Imagine for a moment someone who's passionate about restoring classic cars. She has a garage filled with hard-to-find and expensive Ford Mustang parts. Knowing how valuable they are, she keeps an itemized list on her computer.
Then disaster strikes: a fire destroys everything she owns, including her computer. With the loss of her parts’ list, she's going to have a hard time convincing an insurance agent of the value of her collection.
The solution to this problem is to back up files regularly and store them in a different location from your computer. That once meant keeping backup files in other physical locations. Today you have another option: store them online in the "cloud".
Advantages of Cloud Storage
One of the great advantages to cloud storage is the ability to access your data from anywhere with an Internet connection. Take our hypothetical car-lover as a case in point. Attending a classic car convention, she discovers a treasure trove of mustang accessories for sale, but can't remember if she has a particular piece in her extensive collection. With cloud storage she can check her inventory from her Smartphone.
Cloud storage also solves the problems inherent in physically storing data in other locations. Secondary data backups can be stolen or damaged. You might neglect to backup files regularly because retrieving the backup device is a hassle.
And in the case of large scale disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes, you have no guarantee that you won’t lose the backup files in addition to the original copies. The cloud stores your data in a remote location, backed up by the cloud storage company's own precautions against data loss.
Cloud storage is also cheap. Many sites, such as Google, offer small storage spaces for free which might prove sufficient for the average person. Businesses require much more storage, but the per-gigabyte cost of cloud storage is significantly lower than internal storage options.
Points to Consider
Like any data solution, cloud storage has some drawbacks. Some privacy advocates worry that cloud storage could encourage data leaks and the spread of sensitive information. Before choosing a cloud storage company, make sure that they have security and data encryption in place.
Some companies also have bandwidth restrictions, and charge large fees to account holders who exceed their allotted bandwidth. Not all cloud storage restricts bandwidth, however, so be sure to ask before making your final decision on a company.
Whether you’re storing business data, family photos, or catalogs of Ford Mustang accessories, the advantages of cloud storage far outweigh any concerns. Cloud storage offers secure data protection coupled with affordable services.
About Shane: He is very good friend of mine and an internet marketer, and blogging fanatic, who love to write about business, the current economy, anything marketing, and SEO. He also is an avid outdoors-man, who loves hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking. You can also follow her opinions on soccer and sports at http://www.localsoccernews.com. Tweet him @shanejones15 about anything! I'd be happy to talk!
