Top 10 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Storage | UNext

Introduction 

If you’ve been on the internet recently, you’ve probably heard of the “Cloud,” and whether you realize it or not, you’re using it. Everything on the internet is located in the cloud, from your email provider to media platforms like Netflix and YouTube, to plain old cloud storage like Dropbox. This article will cover all the advantages of cloud storage and how they can help you or your organization. 

What is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is a cloud computing concept in which data is stored on the Internet by a cloud computing provider who manages and administers data storage as a service. The provider hosts, secures, administers, and maintains the servers and related infrastructure, ensuring you can access the data whenever needed.

It is less expensive and more scalable to store content in the cloud rather than on-premises hard drives or storage networks. Computer hard discs have a limited capacity to store data. When users’ storage space is depleted, they must move files to an external storage device. Organizations are used to build and manage Storage Area Networks (SANs) to archive data and files. SANs are costly to maintain because as stored data expands, businesses must invest in additional servers and infrastructure to meet rising demand.

How Does Cloud Storage Work? 

 A third-party cloud vendor provides pay-per-use data storage capacity via the Internet owned and operated by them. To ensure that your data is accessible worldwide, these Cloud storage providers manage capacity, security, and durability. Application applications use an API or traditional storage protocols to access Cloud storage. Many suppliers provide supplementary services to aid in collecting, managing, securing, and analyzing vast amounts of data.

1. Disadvantages of cloud storage
2. Advantages of using cloud storage

1) Disadvantages of cloud storage

1. Vulnerability to attacks: Security vulnerability is another downside of dealing with cloud computing providers. Any confidential information about the business can be exchanged with a third-party cloud computing service provider. Hackers could exploit this knowledge.
2. Downtime: That’s because your cloud provider may face power failure, poor access to the internet, maintenance of services, etc.
3. Vendor Agreement: A organization may face some severe challenges due to the discrepancies between provider solutions as it wants to switch from one cloud platform to another.
4. Limited control: Cloud clients can be faced with minimal influence over their implementations. On remote servers that are entirely operated and managed by service providers, cloud services run
5. Platform dependencies: Another of the drawbacks of cloud storage is tacit dependence, also known as provider lock-in’. Deep-rooted discrepancies between provider platforms will often make it difficult to switch from one cloud platform to another.
6. Variation in Costs: Cloud hosting is an inexpensive choice, but it can be expensive if you remember the implementation of the applications.
7. Internet connectivity: In cloud computing, good Internet access is a must. Without an internet connection, you can’t get cloud connectivity.
8. Lack of support: Cloud Storage providers struggle to provide clients with sufficient assistance. In addition, they tend to focus on FAQs or online assistance from their customers, which can be a boring task for non-technical individuals.
9. Varied performance: Any selfish action or DDOS attack on your tenant could impact your shared resource efficiency.
10. Technical issues: Cloud infrastructure is often vulnerable to instability and other technological problems. Even in terms of retaining high maintenance standards, the best cloud service provider companies can face this kind of challenge.

 2) Advantages of using cloud storage

1. Cost reduction: The largest benefit of cloud storage is cost saving. It lets you save considerable capital costs because no actual hardware expenditures are required.
2. Security: There are several reasons why cloud storage is more reliable than in-house computing, including certain high-profile cloud data breaches.
3. Reliability: One of the main benefits of cloud storage for businesses is reliability. You will still get updated about the updates immediately.
4. Data centralization: There are also projects that are housed in a specific location that can be viewed anywhere and at any time.
5. Ease of accessibility: An Internet cloud infrastructure maximizes enterprise productivity and efficiency by ensuring your application is always accessible.
6. Mobility: Both facilities can be easily obtained by staff operating on the premises or at distant locations. What they need is a link to the Internet.
7. Unlimited storage capacity: The cloud has computing space that is nearly infinite. You can easily increase the storage space at any time with very nominal monthly charges.
8. The high degree of collaboration: The cloud computing infrastructure facilitates extremely convenient and safe communication between employees situated in various geographies.
9. Back up and restore data: Once the information is stored in a server, it is simpler to provide the backup and retrieval of that, which is otherwise a very time-consuming on-site operation.
10. Quick deployment: Your whole infrastructure will be completely functioning within a few minutes when you plan to use the cloud. Although the amount of time taken varies depending on the type of technology used in the business.

Types of Cloud Storage 

Cloud storage is classified into object storage, file storage, and block storage. Each has its own set of benefits and applications: 

1. Object Storage: Object storage’s massive scalability and metadata capabilities are frequently used in cloud-based applications. Object storage systems, such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), are perfect for designing modern applications from the ground up that require scale and flexibility, as well as for importing existing data stores for analytics, backup, or archive. 
2. File Storage: Some applications require a file system to access shared files. A Network Attached Storage (NAS) server is frequently used to support this form of storage. Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) file storage solutions are suited for use cases such as huge content repositories, development environments, media stores, or user home directories. 
3. Block Storage: Other enterprise applications, like databases and ERP systems, frequently necessitate dedicated, low-latency storage for each host. This corresponds to direct-attached storage (DAS) or a Storage Area Network (SAN) (SAN). Cloud storage systems based on blocks, such as Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), are provided with each virtual server and offer the ultra-low latency required for high-performance workloads. 

Conclusion

In addition to what we just listed above, Cloud storage offers many more benefits. Whether you are running a remote team or a hybrid business, Cloud storage is the perfect tool for you. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind the abovementioned advantages and disadvantages of Cloud storage while considering the type of Cloud storage that is best suited for your organization.

If you aspire to build a successful career in the Cloud Computing domain and gain in-depth knowledge about Cloud storage, then the Postgraduate Certificate Program in Cloud Computing by MIT & UNext is the ideal course for you. The 8-month online course is meticulously designed by industry experts and delivered by top-notch faculty, offering the perfect balance between theoretical and practical knowledge. Click here to know more.

ALSO READ

• Top 5 Cloud Backup Services – A Simple Guide