Introduction
In today’s business world, data is king. Whether it’s customer profiles, product data, or employee information, businesses rely on complete and accurate data to help them run their operations smoothly. Many companies have deployed storage devices on their local network for maintaining and accessing their data. However, locally storing this critical information is not without its drawbacks. It is susceptible to theft and damage and is frequently siloed from access by other groups or systems in ways that can make it difficult to access.
The cloud is a convenient alternative way to store data. It’s accessible from anywhere, and you can share files with other people. But is it safe? There have been some incidents of nefarious actors hacking into cloud accounts and stealing information. The inherent security of cloud storage platforms has also been called into question. In recent years, we’ve seen several high-profile cases of cloud storage services being compromised, exposing the personal data of millions of users.
In many cases, the companies responsible for these breaches have been criticized for their lax security measures. Some experts have argued that the risks associated with using cloud storage services are overblown and that the security measures employed by most providers are adequate. However, recent events have shown that there are some valid questions about the security of cloud systems.
So should businesses opt to store their data in the cloud? There are pros and cons to both choices. On the one hand, cloud storage offers flexibility and convenience for users, making it easy to access data and move it from one device to another 24/7. However, cloud storage can sometimes be costly for businesses to maintain and manage, particularly where large amounts of data are involved. It is also essential to be aware of the potential risks of using cloud storage services and take steps to protect your data.
How secure are cloud storage services?
Many people feel unsure about how secure cloud storage services are. After all, you’re uploading your files to a remote server that anyone with an internet connection can access. However, the security of cloud storage services has come a long way in recent years, and most providers now offer a range of features that make your data safe and secure. In addition, many providers can encrypt your data before it leaves your device, ensuring that even if the remote server is compromised, your files will remain safe.
Notwithstanding the above, there is some risk associated with using cloud-based data storage. Hackers can access your data if they gain access to your account or the cloud provider’s network, either by cracking your password or exploiting a weakness in its security. Cloud providers may rely on third-party vendors to provide some portion of their security, and these vendors may not be as reliable or accountable as the cloud providers themselves. Whether or not you consent to it, your data may be made available to the government or other third parties via a subpoena or court order. Cloud storage services are managed with various settings that control access and privacy – if you fail to manage these settings correctly, you can inadvertently expose data to public view.
Recent history is peppered with cases of cloud storage data breaches. In February 2012, hackers stole login credentials for more than 68 million accounts from file hosting service Dropbox. Soon after that, the stolen credentials were made available for purchase on the dark web. In September 2014, a group of hackers compromised dozens of celebrity iCloud accounts through the login credentials associated with their accounts. They stole hundreds of nude photos and posted them to the online forum 4chan. In December of that same year, Sony was hacked, and more than 100 terabytes of data were stolen. The hackers accessed Sony’s network by exploiting a vulnerability in its cloud storage infrastructure. They stole unreleased movies, confidential documents, and personal information about employees. The incident remains one of the largest data breaches in history.
Cloud storage breaches have continued, with reports of incidents through 2021. There’s every reason to believe that you’ll be reading about yet another incident in tomorrow’s news. Nothing is 100% secure if it has a connection to the Internet, so before you upload your most sensitive files to the cloud, be sure to understand the risks and take appropriate precautions.
How reliable are cloud storage services?
Cloud storage services are becoming more and more popular because of their convenience and reliability. But just how reliable are they? A recent industry study found that major cloud storage services are generally very reliable, with an availability rate of 99.999 percent or greater. However, some exceptions exist, with some services having availability rates as low as 98 percent. So, while cloud storage is generally very reliable, it’s essential to do your research before choosing a service to ensure you select one with a high availability rate. Check the provider’s reputation for availability and note any reports of service outages. Look into the company’s measures for redundancy (duplication of storage arrays to keep duplicate copies of your data as a hedge against failures). Be aware that your data may not be backed up regularly, potentially resulting in lost or corrupted files unless you supplement with your own backups.
Cloud storage companies are businesses, and like any other business, they can close their doors one day. Of course, this is highly unlikely to happen with one of the massive cloud companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, or iCloud. Still, a smaller cloud storage company that may offer more attractive pricing can also be more vulnerable to failure as a business. If a cloud storage company goes out of business, your data may disappear overnight. Cloud storage companies also have the potential to lose your data through security breaches. If a hacker gets into the company’s system, they could completely wipe your data from its servers after they steal it. The takeaway is this: cloud storage is very reliable overall, but always back up your data offline just in case something happens to your online files.
How much do cloud storage services cost?
Though cloud storage services offer a convenient way to store data and access it from anywhere, the cost of using these services can be prohibitive for some users. Prices for cloud storage can range from a few dollars per month for a small amount of storage to hundreds or thousands of dollars per month for large storage allocations. Quantity of storage, service features and addons, and data transfer usage can all affect cost. Some services offer additional functions, such as collaboration tools or security, that can also increase the price. The good news is that the costs associated with cloud storage are highly transparent. Providers may offer flat-rate or metered plans, but in any case, detailed pricing information and even pricing calculators and tools are widely available to aid you in figuring the cost of your cloud storage.
Conclusion
The use of cloud-based data storage has been growing steadily for years, and the practice has been widely adopted across multiple industries by businesses of all sizes. Specialty storage services for database data and streamable media have also become widely available. Cloud storage can be used for various purposes, including file sharing, data backup, and disaster recovery. Cloud storage is convenient because users can access their files from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. It can also be affordable and scalable since users only pay for the storage they need.
Despite these benefits, some potential risks are associated with using cloud storage. If the service fails, the user’s data may be inaccessible, damaged, or lost. If users employ weak passwords or the cloud storage company suffers a security breach, your data could be exposed. While these potential risks should be kept in mind, cloud storage is generally safe as long as you observe good cybersecurity practices, monitor and control access to your storage account, and keep an offline backup of your data.
