Why We Use Cloud Storage

Data storage is one of the most important issues for businesses these days. With cybercriminals and bad actors employing increasingly subtle and complex methods to infiltrate your networks and exploit vulnerabilities, safe and secure storage is vital for the success of any organization. Equally, having sufficient reliable, accessible storage for your company’s data is a huge part of being able to operate and grow as a business.

An increasing number of businesses are turning to cloud storage to address the storage needs of their organization. Cloud services have grown in popularity over the last decade, in part due to innovation and advances in technology and in part due to their scalability. But is cloud storage the answer for every organization?

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cloud storage for businesses, and it is important to understand what it can (and can’t) do for you and whether it is right for your organization. There is no one size fits all option, and knowing what you need and what the options are can go a long way toward finding the right fit for your business needs. To help you get an idea of why organizations go for cloud storage solutions, we’ve pulled together some of the advantages and disadvantages it offers for enterprises. 

Advantages

Cloud storage comes with numerous advantages for businesses, and it is no surprise that an increasing number of organizations are turning to cloud storage solutions when it comes to their data. 

Cost

Cloud storage solutions work on a subscription model, so you pay a certain amount every month for the storage that you need. Businesses can save money by avoiding costly capital expenditure on hardware and infrastructure, as well as only paying for the storage capacity that they actually need. Reduced need for in-house IT staff will reduce costs and overheads, and cloud storage providers also take care of updates, licenses, and troubleshooting.

Accessibility

Because cloud storage is accessed entirely over the internet and removes the need for proximity to physical servers, it adds a new level of data accessibility for your organization. All your staff needs to access data, information, software, and applications is a device and an internet connection. This means that your workforce can work from anywhere in the world, and your business can take advantage of a global talent pool. 

Disaster recovery

Data loss can be a huge problem for any organization, and backups and disaster recovery plans are a fundamental part of planning and strategy. Cloud storage is an excellent solution when it comes to disaster recovery, as it is already stored remotely, so any losses due to hardware failure in your organization are already protected and safely stored. It is also extremely simple to back up your cloud data and replicate it to ensure against disaster on the part of your provider.

Scalability

One of the most important aspects of cloud storage is its scalability. Businesses only ever pay for the storage they need and are able to scale up or down whenever they need to, to adapt to changes in situations, circumstances, and business needs. This allows for fast growth, as well as gives organizations the ability to downsize if necessary.

Security

Cloud service providers are usually able to offer far superior cybersecurity set-ups than are normally available to small and medium businesses. Cloud service providers will encrypt data to the highest possible standards and take proactive steps to prevent vulnerabilities and malicious actions rather than just dealing with attacks when they occur. Additionally, storing data off-site is good practice for businesses from a security perspective.

Maintenance

Cloud service providers take on the responsibility of managing and maintaining infrastructure and dealing with patches, updates, and troubleshooting issues. This takes a load off your internal IT team and allows you to reallocate staff resources more effectively.

Overall, it is easy to see why it is an increasingly popular choice for business. The increasing pace of innovation and advancement in tech solutions means that businesses that work with cloud service providers will always be at the cutting edge when it comes to their IT. If you would like more information, or to discuss the pros and cons further, get in touch with the team at VC3, who will be delighted to share their expertise and experience!