For many companies, losing data is a nightmare. If the firm loses critical files, such as account files, business letters, quotations, and personal information of your employees, it could mean the end of your business. To prevent losing valuable data, they are willing to spend more money to improve their security systems. However, with the number of options to choose from, it’s quite hard to know which one is viable to protect your files.
There are many storage devices that you can choose, but many people prefer cloud file storage. But before we discuss the benefits of cloud services, let’s talk about what it is, what other devices you can use for saving data, and why you should not use them.
Common Devices Used for Storing Data and Its Drawbacks
Nowadays, you can backup digital data in several ways. However, most of these tools present some issues. Let’s take a look at some of them and discuss the setbacks associated with them.
External or Network Hard Disks
Many people use these devices to store and duplicate data. However, hard disks are prone to computer viruses and fire, which could lead to data loss. Hence, if you want to keep valuable information, these tools are not a good option.
CDs and DVDs
You can also save data in these storage devices. Since they’re thin, it won’t consume too much space in your cabinet. However, files stored in these devices don’t last long. According to a study, CDs and DVDs can only keep data up to two years.
Moreover, since they are thin, CDs and DVDs are at risk of flash flood and fire damages, that losing critical data is easy.
Tape Backup
It’s one of the oldest ways to backup your files. Despite being a vintage storage device and living in a digital world, many people are still using it to store and to duplicate valuable data.
However, using magnetic tapes to store files is quite hard and cause data loss. First, you don’t know where the files are. You have to look and switch the tape to find them. Moreover, they are prone to tape breakage. Ones the film breaks, it would be hard to retrieve those files.
Lastly, like the mentioned data storage devices, magnetic tapes are susceptible to fire and flash flood damages.
What is the best way to protect your files and data?
All of these tools present problems and risks associated with them. Fortunately, we don’t need to deal with such problems anymore. With the latest innovations and ever-growing use of the Internet, you can now store and backup critical data without worrying about losing them. As long as you have access to the Internet, then you can reproduce and save files. This process of storing and duplicating data on the Internet is cloud file storage.
Despite its popularity, many people are still unfamiliar with this way of saving valuable files. Thus, they are still using the old way of saving files. However, some people know how the system works, but they are scared to try it because they feel unsafe with the idea of storing documents on the Internet.
If you are one of these people, here are the things you need to know about cloud file storage, and why it is the best way to protect your data.
What is cloud file storage?
Cloud file storage is a widely used type of cloud storage. It is a process of saving data on remote storage servers connected to the Internet. The cloud file storage service uses virtualization techniques to run, maintain, and manage built servers.
Some people call it utility storage due to service delivery and implementation.
Cloud file storage is ideal for semi-structured and unstructured files. Unstructured data is a document that you can edit, even if it’s already in the data storage. Moreover, it automatically updates and saves the changes you’ve made in the file, even if you lose power or your computer breaks.
Most cloud storage vendors sell cloud file storage systems since most of us have files that we want to keep and save. With this structure, we can open and reuse the data in case we need it again. Moreover, it allows you to study old documents stored in the cloud.
Benefits of Hiring Cloud File Storage Services
More and more companies are hiring cloud file storage solutions to keep their documents and business information safe and private. With the help of this service, you will have peace-of-mind no matter what happens.
Apart from that, there are other reasons for hiring the best cloud file storage services. Listed below are the benefits of using cloud file storage.
Accessibility
By doing a regular online backup, users can access their files with ease. Furthermore, they have the power to control their data in the cloud. They can add more files, modify, or edit their documents as many times as they want while stored in the cloud. It’s like saving data to the flash drive, but without the limited memory space.
Since they are internet-based services, users can view the data wherever and whenever they like. Cloud storage companies are open 24/7, allowing you to access your files any time of the day. You just need to have an Internet connection so you can work on your documents in the cloud.
Sharing and Security
When you’re running a home-based business, you need to share the document with your virtual employees so they can work with their assignments simultaneously or wherever they may be. However, sharing files could cause theft and are more prone to hacking.
For these reasons, more and more companies are using cloud file storage software to keep their data safe and secure, even if you share the document with your employees. Most companies use different security levels on their products. They use encryption and authentication features for optimal data protection. They provide an encryption key to validate the data. As for obtaining valuable files, the best cloud file storage services are using sophisticated password complexity to ensure that nobody can get into your files except you.
Apart from that, cloud file storage servers provide different access clearance levels. For example, level 1 enables users to view the data while level 5 allows them to modify or edit documents.
Cost-effective
Many people think that getting a cloud file storage service is expensive. The truth is, it’s one of the cheapest ways to store and backup files. Unlike other storage devices, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to expand your storage memory. There are some cloud file storage sites dedicated to providing unlimited storage space. Others provide data storage for free.
If you need to expand your memory, you just need to pay the service provider so they can give the amount of space that you need. In other words, the only time to spend cash is if you want to upgrade the system you’re using.
With a decent investment in this storage method, users can secure files and avoid data loss, which is too expensive if you want to retrieve those documents. Moreover, you can enjoy other features and opportunities that the cloud file storage companies provide. No wonder why businesses and private users are choosing a cloud file storage to save and backup critical data stored in the computer.
Data loss can be a nightmare to both business owners and private users. If you’re a personal user, you can’t help it not to feel down, especially if most of the files saved on the computer are important to you. If you’re a business owner, this could mean the end of your company.
Don’t lose hope! There are many ways to backup your data. You can use a magnetic tape if you’re still using an old-school computer system, or you can use CDs and external hard disks to save critical data. Unfortunately, these storage devices won’t guarantee that you will never lose your files. For instance, CDs are prone to deterioration. Hence, if you don’t backup your documents after saving them for two years in the compact disc, you will lose all the data stored in this device.
Fortunately, there’s a new way to save and backup valuable files. That method is cloud file storage. With this service, you don’t have to worry about data loss. The cloud will save those files in different, secure locations so you can retrieve them if you lose it because of computer viruses and power interruptions. Moreover, you can view, edit, and modify the document in the cloud, as long as you have access to the Internet.
Apart from that, there are other reasons why cloud file storage is a good choice. Firstly, it lets you share documents with your employees without compromising security. Lastly, it enables you to save more money since cloud file storage is cheaper than other storage devices.
However, selecting the right service provider of cloud storage is a tricky task. If you need to get cloud storage for your business or your personal needs, then you should visit the CrowdReviews’ website. It provides a list of the top cloud services and reviews of cloud file storage services, helping you choose the right company for your needs.
Keith Moore
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