It may be more convenient, but how does cloud storage provide a better experience?
We’re always being told that data is the new currency, that data is the next big money spinner.
If you need any proof of this being the case, you just have to look at the way that Chat GPT has captured the imagination of millions around the world.
But with so much data comes the question of where to keep it. Cloud storage has provided somewhat of an answer now, as you’ll soon find out:
How has the popularity of cloud storage grown?
Mark O’Dell, Operations Director, Babble:
“The evolution of cloud storage has been huge. The surge in its popularity has been fuelled by a number of factors from its compatibility with remote work to its ease of scalability. Consumer-friendly offerings such as iCloud have also normalised cloud usage, even in a professional setting.
“While cloud adoption has become mainstream, certain scenarios might deter a business from using it. For data-intensive tasks that demand speed and cost-efficiency, local systems remain preferable. However, the instances where local management is deemed necessary are becoming less frequent as cloud security greatly improves over time.
Eric Sugar, President, ProServeIT:
“Several factors have contributed to the increasing adoption of Cloud Storage. Scalability is one factor, Cloud storage allows businesses to easily scale their storage needs up or down based on their requirements. Cost-effectiveness is another as businesses don’t need to invest in or maintain their own expensive data centres. They can instead pay for the storage they need on a subscription or usage basis, reducing upfront costs and ongoing costs.
“Cloud storage enables users to securely access their data from anywhere, including offline sync. It offers flexibility in terms of remote work, collaboration, and sharing data across multiple devices and locations. Finally, if we look at data redundancy and disaster recovery, cloud providers often offer robust data redundancy and backup solutions, ensuring that data is protected against ransomware, hardware failures, and natural disasters.”
Sergei Serdyuk, VP of Product Management, NAKIVO:
“While physical data centres have long been the go-to choice to store data, the emergence of cloud storage has provided a convenient and flexible alternative that is rapidly becoming the industry standard. Cloud storage has become an indispensable aspect of business operations, primarily driven by the escalating demand for secure and efficient storage solutions. The cloud offers several benefits to businesses, making it an attractive choice for data storage.
“The COVID pandemic has also accelerated this trend, with remote work necessitating cloud storage for seamless collaboration and data sharing. Additionally, technological advancements like the Internet of Things (IoT) and the proliferation of big data have opened up new possibilities for cloud storage providers to cater to businesses of all sizes and expand their service offerings. The popularity of cloud storage is only expected to continue growing in the coming years as more businesses recognise its many benefits and advantages.”
Are there trade-offs when deciding to embrace cloud storage?
Balaji Ganesan, CEO, Privacera:
“There are four trade-offs when deciding to embrace cloud storage, the first is your dependence on internet connectivity. Effective utilisation of cloud storage relies on a reliable and stable internet connection. Insufficient connectivity can hinder data access and productivity. Similarly, potential downtime and service disruptions should be considered because depending on cloud storage means relying on the infrastructure provided by the service provider. If the provider experiences downtime or service disruptions, it can impact data accessibility and disrupt business operations.
“Entrusting data to a third-party cloud service provider raises concerns regarding data security and privacy. It is important for businesses to thoroughly assess the security measures implemented by the provider and consider their specific compliance requirements.
“Of course, there are cost considerations too. While cloud storage can be cost-efficient for small and medium-sized businesses, larger organisations or those with extensive data storage needs may experience higher costs over time. It is crucial to consider pricing models and evaluate the long-term costs associated with cloud storage.”
John Michael, CEO, iStorage:
“Cloud is an enabler of modern business and the foundation for much of what is possible today. However, what might have been deemed good enough in terms of security last year will not necessarily offer the required levels of protection at a time when cyber threats are evolving so rapidly.
“A cybersecurity study found that 96% of organisations are moderately to extremely worried about cloud security, with data loss or leakage (64%), data privacy (62%) and accidental credential exposure (46%) their top three concerns. Indeed, the terms and conditions of many major cloud providers include a ‘limitations of liability’ clause which puts data-security responsibility squarely onto the shoulders of the cloud user.
“All users, therefore, need to be conscious of using adequate, and in many cases, more stringent measures when storing their data in the cloud, to confidently assure wider stakeholders that it won’t be their company name making headlines.”
Are there reasons why a business wouldn’t want to embrace the cloud?
Michelle Stark, Sales and Marketing Director, Fasthosts:
“While cloud systems do offer unparalleled versatility, some prefer the level of control you have over physical servers. Not only are you able to fully monitor access, it also makes it much easier to comply with complex laws and regulations surrounding the handling of sensitive data. Industries such as law and healthcare may choose to keep their physical options thanks to this, though as the cloud continues to evolve we may well see this change.
“There are a few other reasons that a business may opt to not embrace cloud storage options. For example a business who has recently invested heavily in physical storage and data centres may be reluctant to switch over to a system which would effectively render their investment obsolete, or the costs and security concerns involved with cloud migration may simply be too much of an issue or worry for them if they can’t afford the risk.
“It could also be something as simple as the business not having a reliable enough internet connection for a move to the cloud to be viable, especially if it will increase the time it takes for employees to access data and internal systems.”
Balaji Ganesan:
“Certain industries have stringent regulations regarding data storage and management, and cloud storage providers may not meet specific compliance requirements. Businesses operating in heavily regulated sectors, such as healthcare or finance, may encounter challenges in ensuring compliance with data privacy and security regulations.
“Businesses handling highly sensitive data, such as trade secrets or classified information, may also prefer to keep their data on-premises or under direct control. This allows them to maintain complete visibility and control over their data, reducing potential risks associated with storing it in the cloud.
“Also, if a business heavily relies on legacy systems or has made significant investments in on-premises infrastructure, transitioning to the cloud may involve complex and costly processes. In such cases, businesses may choose to continue utilising their existing infrastructure instead of adopting cloud storage.”
Sergei Serdyuk:
“There are several reasons why a business may want to avoid adopting the cloud, including risk aversion, some businesses may have a risk-averse culture and prefer full control over their data by keeping it on-premises, regulations as certain industries, such as healthcare and finance, may have stringent data regulations that make storing sensitive data on the cloud challenging.
“There may be sovereignty concerns too, some countries have data sovereignty laws that require specific types of data to be stored within their borders. This can be challenging with cloud providers that have data centres in various locations. Additionally, there may be concerns about the cost of transitioning to the cloud and ongoing maintenance and support, and businesses heavily invested in legacy systems may find it difficult to integrate with cloud storage solutions seamlessly.”
What does the future of cloud storage look like?
Phil Pennington, Technical Sales Leader, Tectrade:
“The future of cloud storage looks more like a utility than a product. Just as we don’t care if our local power company uses certain machines to deliver our electricity, we won’t care what vendor provides our cloud storage.
“All of that will be front-ended by a portal that allows us to define our level of performance and the capacity we need for a given workload, attach the application to the selected storage, and it just runs like lights coming on when we flip a light switch.”
Sergei Serdyuk:
“Well, it’s hard to say for sure, but the
future of cloud storage looks pretty bright. With more and more businesses and individuals relying on cloud-based solutions, it’s clear that this technology will continue to be ubiquitous.
“As the demand for cloud storage continues to grow, some potential trends and developments could shape its future, including hybrid cloud solutions because many businesses may adopt a hybrid cloud approach, combining on-premises data centres with cloud storage to balance data control and scalability.
“Cloud providers will continue to invest in advanced security measures and privacy features to address concerns and meet compliance requirements. Solutions could integrate AI capabilities to enhance data management, analytics, and decision-making processes, and there could be a stronger focus on environmentally friendly cloud solutions to reduce the carbon footprint associated with data centres.”
Michelle Stark:
“The future of cloud storage looks promising, and it’s sure to be an ever-more attractive option for businesses to utilise. We’ll likely see them become even more flexible than they currently are, fully adopting a pay-as-you-use system which will see the idea of renting out a set amount of space becoming old news. The cloud already offers incredible scalability, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see cloud storage becoming an almost fluid system where users pay for the exact amount of space they need.”
“The rapid development of AI is set to become fully integrated with cloud systems, leading to a point where nearly every facet of cloud storage will be run, monitored and secured by automated programs. Cloud storage will be something you don’t even have to think about, simply pay your bills and allow the automated systems and AI enhancements to do all of the technical
work for you while you just get on with using the service.
“This will also undoubtedly increase the accessibility of the cloud to those who may be intimidated by the technical knowledge currently required to fully utilise and transition to it, which when combined with faster and more reliable internet speeds, means exponential growth for the industry looming on the horizon.”
Mark O’Dell:
“As business teams work more closely together, cloud storage expedites more efficient collaboration internally and externally. There is no doubt that the future of cloud storage is exciting. AI-driven data manipulation is set to optimise data, while the advent of quantum computing could revolutionise encryption and security. Sustainability will undoubtedly also take centre stage, with efforts to address the cloud’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.
“When deciding what cloud storage option to choose, it will be essential for businesses to be informed when deciding the best storage approach. Ensuring data security, accessibility and sustainability align with business objectives is essential. Cloud storage optimises efficiency, enhances flexibility and offers collaboration and cost-effectiveness, redefining modern data management.”