Many small businesses are opting for cloud storage solutions rather than having their own server in-house. But this has led some business owners to wonder whether these services are safe.
Thankfully, as cloud storage has been around for a number of years, there are a multitude of organizations successfully using cloud storage as safe and secure way to store their data.
The real question is “is it safer for you to use cloud storage or internal servers?”
What Are The Benefits of The Cloud?
There’s no doubt that one of the major benefits of the cloud is not having the expense of running your own server or data centre. This doubles up as one of the reasons why the cloud is safer; costs can be so high that businesses fail to spend enough to get a high quality and secure system.
The security of cloud stored data tends to be better provided that passwords are strong and protected. It also means that you do not need to have members of staff with the knowledge and expertise needed to manage your server, as this will all be taken care of for you. There is also the benefit that if your data is stored away from your premises, there is less risk that you could lose it in the event of a disaster, such as a flood or fire.
An additional advantage of cloud storage is that your level of usage can be reduced or expanded to suit your current needs. This means that you won’t be overspending on a large server that you don’t need, nor struggling with limited capacity.
Are There Any Risks?
Of course, like any technology, using cloud is not free from risk. One of the clear risks is that you are no longer in full control of how and where your data is held. You are handing that responsibility over to another company. This is why it is essential to choose a reputable company that you can trust – especially if you’re handling highly sensitive data such as medical records. Your data is the lifeblood of your business, so you need to be certain that the company storing it can be completely relied upon.
Remember, the “cloud” is still a physical server, it’s just located somewhere else. There is still the risk of data being lost, wiped or even stolen. You might assume that keeping your data on the cloud will guarantee that it will never go missing or be corrupted, but there is always the possibility, however small.
Is Data Safer On The Cloud?
There are undoubtedly many reasons that data can be considered safer on the cloud – for example, major data breaches tend to occur mostly against companies with their own internal servers rather than those utilizing cloud storage. Additionally, it tends to be issues such as outdated systems that are the major cause of these breaches.
Working with a high-quality cloud storage provider will almost certainly carry fewer risks than having your own server in-house. Still, they are not invulnerable. If passwords are stolen, a hacker can use them to access your data just as they would with an in-house server.
Choosing a good cloud storage provider
Choosing a cloud provider might seem like a daunting task at first, especially if you do not have much data security experience. It’s worth noting that some providers specialize in the storage of certain types of data, so it’s wise to search for cloud storage that suits your business’ needs.
Nebula Consulting offers several cloud storage options. Contact us today to speak with one of our engineers for a free consultation.