From the very beginning of this post, it is important to make clear that the “reliable data storage” alluded to in this article’s title is cloud storage. Without a shadow of a doubt cloud storage is the most reliable form of storage there is.
When you use it you do not have to worry about data leaks, lost data or corrupted files. As long as you restrict access to only your most trusted staff and perform regular backups, your data will be safe.
In this article, you will learn about the benefits of investing in cloud storage.
Data backups
As mentioned in the introduction to this post, when you invest in cloud storage you never have to worry about data corruption again.
The reason for this is that you are able to perform backups, which is when you save data to a specific point, meaning if you ever need to access that specific point again, you can restore it exactly as it was at the moment you backed it up.
Selecting a cloud backup solution for your business can be tricky to do which is why you need to conduct extensive research and find the most trusted, respectable company you can.
The better a cloud provider’s reputation is, the more likely it is that their services are worth investing in. You should get into the habit of performing backups on a regular basis, ideally every few days or whenever files have been changed.
File corruption
In the previous point, reference was made to the fact that cloud storage means you don’t ever have to worry about your business’s files becoming corrupted.
Data corruption is a very common thing among computer users as viruses and other things can easily cause file corruption. If your files become corrupted then it means that you won’t be able to use them again.
If files do become corrupted then by backing them up, you will be able to access them again immediately.
As a business owner, you should understand that data corruption is very serious and can actually cause you to lose business and potentially even the contact information of clients.
Instant access
Something else that is great about cloud storage is that you can access it from anywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or what device you are using, you can access files and folders.
This is because cloud storage is entirely remote. As long as you have your account’s login details then you will be able to access your files and data.
Cloud storage has made it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to live nomadic lifestyles, starting businesses and running them from foreign countries that are not their own.
Controlling users
Something else noteworthy about cloud storage is that you can be very selective over who gets to access files and folders when you are using it. Being selective about who is given access to files and folders will help you to prevent data loss from occurring.
Something a lot of business owners do not know is that the biggest threat to them is from their own employees. Studies suggest that data leaks occur most often from within. While external hackers and criminals are of concern, watch your employees more closely.
Protecting yourself
As alluded to in the previous point, your employees pose the biggest threat to your company. With that being said, however, you still need to protect yourself from hackers and criminal gangs. Data theft is a big industry, unfortunately.
If your company’s data falls into the hands of criminals then it could reflect poorly upon you and your partners.
In fact, not only good using insecure data storage methods like physical hard drives reflect poorly upon you, but it could also lead to you receiving fines and penalties from your industry regulator. Businesses are regularly punished for not protecting their data.
Saving money
Cloud storage is very affordable and highly scalable, compared to other storage methods. If you are using physical storage then you would have to buy a bigger storage unit and transfer everything if the unit you are currently using runs out.
When you are using cloud storage you also get to benefit from being able to reduce the amount of storage you are using which is not something that you can do when you are using physical storage devices.
Saving yourself money should be one of your main priorities as a business owner, especially considering the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Better collaboration
Another benefit of cloud storage is that it makes it a lot easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to collaborate with each other. Company collaboration is the norm today. Businesses are collaborating more than they ever have before.
If you do plan on collaborating, find a cloud service provider that makes it even easier for you to do so.
Advanced security
As mentioned several times already, the cloud offers advanced security. When you are using cloud software you do not have to worry about your data being stolen or hacked. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they do not need to protect their data.
Unfortunately, cybercrime is extremely common right now and therefore you do need to protect your data. In fact, you need to do everything you can to protect it.
Unlimited storage
As mentioned earlier as well, when you use the cloud, you get to scale it up or down. The cloud has infinite scalability. No matter how much data you need, you can get it.
That being said it does need to be noted that if you plan on buying more data and scaling up, cloud providers tend to charge a lot more when your data needs increase.
This is because you are already their customer and are reliant on their services; it is simple business. Take costs into consideration when you are looking for a new cloud provider to work with.
Pay-per-use
The best thing about the cloud is that it is pay-per-use, meaning that you only have to pay when you are using it.
If, for example, you decide one day that you no longer want to run your business and you want to start something new, you can stop paying cloud costs altogether and close your account.
With physical storage devices, you do not have to continue paying once you have stopped using it but you do have to make much larger initial payments which makes it a much less desirable and attractive method of data storage.
Low maintenance costs
Something else you should know about the cloud is that the maintenance costs and running costs are very low. In fact, everything is included in the monthly price of your subscription.
What you do need to know however is that while running costs are low, you may have to pay to have your cloud account protected. As mentioned already, cybercrime is very common right now.
If you are unsure how much your cloud account is going to cost to protect then get in touch with cybersecurity experts and get quotes from them prior to opening a cloud account.
Extremely reliable
The cloud is extremely reliable. It’s almost unheard of for cloud providers to experience downtime. If your provider does plan any downtime, they will give you ample notice. The reliability of the cloud makes it one of the best storage mediums there is.
Something else that is worth noting is that when compared to physical storage devices, the cloud is a lot sturdier too. As the cloud is digital you cannot break it. Physical devices can easily be broken or lost.
The cloud is, without a doubt, the best modern data storage method there is. As a business owner, it is something you need to invest in.
Highly flexible
The cloud is very flexible. Flexibility is one of the best things about it, in fact. Flexibility is something you as a business owner should be striving towards.
Because you can scale it up or down and arrange affordable payment plans according to your budget, it is unlike any other form of data storage that exists.
Again, if you have any questions or concerns about your cloud account then reach out to the provider with whom you plan on working and direct them to them. Your cloud provider will be able to answer any queries that you have for them.
Customer service
When it comes to the cloud, not only do you get to enjoy all of the benefits that have been mentioned here so far, but you also get unparalleled support.
If you have any questions then you can get in touch with your provider’s customer support team and get a response in a matter of minutes. If work needs to be performed on your server then that can be arranged too.
You do need to make sure that you choose the best provider you can so that you get to enjoy reliable customer support.
Conclusion
The cloud is without a doubt the best storage method there is. If you handle a lot of data as part of your organisation’s daily operations, you need to invest in it. The benefits mentioned here can all be enjoyed when you open a cloud account.