Advantages of Cloud Database – A Basic Overview (2021)

Introduction

A few years ago, storing your database in the cloud was not something that was very sought after. However, today cloud database has improved to such an extent that there are more advantages than disadvantages. Cloud database offers many additional services that let your business reap some great benefits. However, there are still some challenges in using cloud databases. Let us read below to understand what are the advantages of cloud database and their challenges that can help you make the right decision.

Cloud computing is the buzzword in this decade, and businesses are making the switch to the cloud each day. Harnessing the immense potential that the cloud database can offer to a business is amazing and makes life simple. However, before you make the switch, you need to first understand what the pros and cons to be assured that you are ready to switch are.

Advantages of Cloud Database

Should you move to the cloud database? Then read about the advantages of cloud database to be able to come up with the right decisions.

Cloud database is scalable. This is one of the major features of cloud-hosted databases. This lets you adjust your business operations either up or down as per your requirements. It is easy to scale up and down cheaply and efficiently, which makes cloud databases available even for a small-scale business.

Cloud database is not restricted to any location. You have no physical limitation when it comes to the location of the server. The storage implies that it is irrelevant where the end-user is based. The database is there to assist him. It is possible to store data in any location that allows the user to access information easily from any corner of the world. The data is readily available anytime and from anywhere, which means that the collaboration gets simple, and users are capable of accessing, viewing, and modifying their shared files easily.

There is hardly any administrative burden when you make use of the cloud database. The role that the database administrator plays is not ruled out. It, however, is rigid, and the administrator is more focused on the crucial tasks.

Cloud database is easy to implement, which is one of the major advantages of cloud database. It lets the business retain the same business process and applications without dealing with any backend technicality. The cloud database can be managed by the internet readily, which means that the cloud infrastructure can easily be accessed by any enterprise fast.

There is no need for any hardware when you are using the cloud database. Everything is hosted right on the cloud, and thus there is no need for any physical space for storage. However, it is worth creating a backup in the case of a disaster, without which the company productivity could be hampered.

The cloud database keeps the overhead cost to a minimum. It lets the business use extra resources and time to improve its infrastructure.

Cloud database is capable of offering more accurate retrieval of the data and applications since it has very little downtime, and thus it has the most efficient recovery plan.

Disadvantages of Cloud Databases

Now that we are aware of the cloud database advantages, let us look into some of the disadvantages of cloud computing. Even though there have been a lot of improvements in cloud databases in recent years, there are still some snags that you need to look out for.

The data breach is a nightmare that every organization goes through. This is where the data of a company falls into the hands of its competitor. Cloud clouting could put your data at risk, which also includes cyber-attacks. There are, of course, many ways that can you use to prevent these kinds of data beaches. Encryption does help to protect data, but in case you happen to lose the encryption key, then you end up losing the data altogether. The ideal solution is to make various copies of the data that exist. However, if there are many more copies of your data, then the risk of exposure is also more.

Data loss is another crucial aspect of cloud databases that you should watch out for. The fear that the valuable data of your company disappears into an unknown territory makes people highly sceptical about using the services of the cloud. For them, the fear of losing the encryption key, any malicious attack, or having to deal with a careless cloud service provider mellows down the advantages of using a cloud database.

Cloud database is inflexible too. There are many databases which are not cloud-based that can solve issues with upgrades, patch or through the configuration settings. However, cloud database has a lockdown feature that prevents you from using any of these solutions.

Conclusion

Using the right knowledge and tools when you adopt a cloud database can help your business reap a lot of benefits.

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