Making sure company data is safe and secure is important for any business. Deciding whether to store data on the cloud or on-site is often the dilemma for most business owners. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Learning what they are can help you make the best choice for your business.

Cloud Storage
There are many advantages for backing up data to the cloud. For one, it is cost-effective, and maintenance is not an issue as cloud storage providers handle all of the upgrades and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Another advantage is scalability. When you need to increase storage space, it is as simple as notifying your service provider. You can increase or decrease space as needed. Should a disaster occur on-site, your data will remain safe. Securing data remotely means there is no worry of losing backups of your data.

Accessibility is also a plus. Data stored on the cloud is easily accessed on any device that has an internet connection. You can log into your cloud account and your data is there when you need it.

Depending on your business needs, the disadvantages of cloud storage may not impact your decision. Speed is one disadvantage. If you have a lot of data to store, and your internet connection isn’t the fastest, backing up your data could take a long time. Another downside is the lack of control on a public cloud. However, there are always add-on options to increase your security and control in the cloud.

Local Storage
Speed is one of the main advantages to local storage. Storing data on external hard drives is faster than uploading to the cloud. You also have full control of your backups, which means better control of who accesses your data. Disconnecting the drives from the network makes your data safe from attacks.

The downsides to local storage are major. Creating and maintaining a local storage system is expensive. The hardware and software can cost thousands of dollars depending on how much space you need. Upgrading can also be costly. When you need more space, it also means buying more hardware.

An on-site disaster will destroy your local backups. Having off-site backups is smart, however, it requires more work to maintain them. Each time your data needs updating, your off-site backups need updating as well. This means bringing them in for updating which is a hassle and time-consuming.

Deciding on which storage solution to choose from depends upon your business needs. Knowing the pros and cons of each solution helps with the decision-making process. Cloud storage is often the ideal solution for most business owners. It is inexpensive, easy to set up, and doesn’t require any extra time or effort to maintain.

Compare and Decide for Yourself

To compare the different cloud storage options, check out our blog post on SharePoint vs Dropbox vs Google Drive.

If you’re ready to make the transition to the cloud or want a second opinion, we’d love to chat. Our team of experts can consult with you to understand your business and objectives. Call us today at 1300 30 40 47 or email us at sales@cms-dev.com