@IAmAdamGreen
Latest posts by Adam Green (see all)
- Is Your Data Really Secure in the Cloud? - May 13, 2012
- How to Transform Your Cloud-Challenged Small Business - April 28, 2012
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The cloud hit the big time in 2011. With the introduction of iCloud and Google Music (now Google Play) for consumers and the growing reliance on private clouds by business, cloud computing is set to grow even more in 2012.
But the cloud still bothers many people, especially at the consumer level. What if the data gets corrupted? What if hackers wipe everything out? What if the servers croak and have to be replaced?
These questions come up time and time again, and they represent valid concerns. While there’s no such thing as a 100% secure way to store anything, the odds are on your side when you keep data in the cloud. Here’s why:
Redundancy
Imagine there’s a technically sophisticated insurance carrier on the East Coast that backs up all of its on-site data to a heavily-secured, off-site data center nearby. They’ve covered all their bases until a hurricane or tornado blows through and physically destroys the office servers and causes power outages that make it impossible to access any of the off-site backups.
If the insurance company had backed up its data in the cloud, it would still have access to all of its client files and vital company records. That’s because serious cloud providers offer redundancy, meaning they back up your data in various locations around the country – or even the world.
Think of redundancy like it’s the stock market. To lower your exposure to risk, it’s better to own lots of stocks instead of just a few. That way you’re not in a hole you can’t climb out of whenever the value of one of your holdings falls through the floor.
Reputable cloud services are similar. By offering redundancy, cloud companies ensure that your data isn’t compromised whenever it’s corrupted or destroyed in one location. Since it exists on multiple servers in multiple places, there’s almost always a way to recover your data in the event of a disaster.
Expertise
If you’re not letting a cloud company store your data, who takes care of it?
Do you back it up to an external drive or drives? If you run a business, are you relying on an IT staffer (some of whom may be part-time) to secure it on a local server?
Either of those solutions is better than nothing, but both are a far cry from hiring experienced IT professionals with the state-of-the-art hardware, security, and technical know-how needed to take care of your data. When you rely on the cloud, you’re relying on seasoned professionals who stake their careers on making sure your data is accessible and secure.
It’s like keeping money in the bank. The money’s not at your house. You don’t see it all the time. You probably don’t even know any of the people to whom you’ve entrusted it – that goes for bankers as well as FDIC employees.
Yet you know it’s safer in the bank than under your mattress. The cloud is the same way except you can access data 24/7 from your home or office. No ATM needed. Just an internet connection. And if you’re a business owner whose clunky legacy software is keeping you out of the cloud (at least for the time being), there are plenty of B2B cloud integration providers out there who can help you get in gear – and better protect your data.
To be sure, Web security isn’t infallible. But the level of sophistication at which cloud providers now operate means the risks are smaller than ever.
Twitter: Elena__Anne
I’m really beginning to trust in the cloud in storing my data. Aside from its convenience, I do agree with you that cloud services make sure that your data is safe.
Elena Anne recently posted..Raspberry Ketones: Antioxidant Properties and Lipolysis
Twitter: GeekandJock
Years ago the reliability of The Cloud was certainly an issue. Then the pricing of both hard drive space and connectivity plunged, thus making Cloud computing an affordable business model.
I must say, I love my Dropbox. It’s never missed a beat and has built in redundancy. Now we’ve got untold alternatives, with great free levels of entry.
Bring on Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive and Apple iCloud which are all likely to see pricing go even lower and the free level capacity move higher – yippee, doncha love good competition?
Martin Cooney recently posted..Free Music and Old Content Equals New Content and Audience
Cloud is the future! Services like JusCloud and Dropbox have made life easy, to say the least! Big fan of iCloud on my iPhone as well as SkyDrive on my Windows Mango phone.
However questions marks over its security as well as redundancy, and in particular, privacy concerns, still remain. Would I trust these services with private corporate data? ‘Hell no’ would be my answer.
Leo recently posted..Building Email Lists
Storing your data in the cloud is really a clever and convenient option, especially if you are always on the go and don’t mind retrieving your data anywhere. I think one of the best advantages about the cloud is that you no longer have to bring with you external storage devices or even your own laptop just to access your data in the cloud.
Felicia recently posted..2012 SCOOP: Shaun Deeb wins his second event
Twitter: internetdreamof
Proud to say that I Dropbox ALL my most important data. Why? because I know it’s safe and I can access it when I need it. Not always so with a USB, CD, or external hard drive. If your thinking about trying the cloud, do it. If it wasn’t expensive, I would forget about storing any data on my computers and just let the cloud handle everything.
Samuel recently posted..How To Write A Good Article!
Cloud based storage still freaks me out a little yet. Once it gains a little more popularity and as time goes by that will probably change for me. I do like the idea of the service is almost never down, and the whole fast and convenient part of it though.
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Hi Ray,
I agree with you. There are still many people who doubt the safety and security of cloud-based storage. But I think Dropbox is a great service that you could try out as a stepping stone and see for yourself if this whole cloud computing thingy works for you or not.
Sylvia recently posted..2012 SCOOP: Shaun Deeb wins his second event
Twitter: myhdmicables
I am more comfortable using cloud rather than thumbdrives that I have to bring wherever I go. Also it’s much cheaper than hardware backups.
Twitter: aaronhung1
I never really got into the Cloud because I didn’t really know what it was, but I’m a little more comfortable now that I know more
Aaron Hung recently posted..How to be extraordinary
Twitter: in4mation4tech
Nice comparison between bank and the cloud !! Even Apple and Google has now come up with their cloud service…!!
Athiban Raj recently posted..Autodesk 123D Catch for iPad that Could Turn Photos to 3D Models
I despise the “what ifs”! I am a professional worrier. But you set my mind at ease about the cloud! I don’t have to suffer from cloud nightmares any longer! Thanks to you, I have one less angst in my pants!!
Brooke recently posted..ANXIETY SUCKS
Twitter: JetSetBags
We can never really be sure if our data is secure in the cloud– privacy-wise… but in terms of data loss, I doubt since I’m pretty confident at the level of security cloud companies offer… but, if worse comes to worst, it’s always good to have local backup still =)
Hannah Hamilton recently posted..Best Places to Stay in Yosemite
it is quite a risk, regardless of what is mentioned in the terms and conditions, a lot of people i have spoken to always make a backup of files etc they put on the cloud services by copying to a external hard drive or disk
you can never be too safe!
john recently posted..Hampton Bay Light Replacement
I trust my data with dropbox.
Karan Labra recently posted..How to get rid of Facebook Timeline?
I have always wanted to use something like this to free up my space on my phone. Is it hard to set up?
Twitter: @onlinetaxpros
I also have always been intrigued by these redundant file systems. I’m a bit paranoid when it comes to copying my files on a website, but your post has really made me reconsider how safe and convenient it is in case disaster and mayhem strikes!
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Twitter: xlimderek
I think my data are safe with icloud
Derek recently posted..Top 7 Cloud Storage Apps For Iphone
Cloud services is the way things are going but I still like to have a copy of my documents stored locally just in case. Drop box is probably the best on the market at the moment.
Carl recently posted..Kingston Wi-Drive Review
Cloud is one of the risky.. If cloud crash, all the memory will be gone.. But shoulb be remember that if we store data in Our hardisk, still have a risk…
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Twitter: prabhatrayal
well, i use dropbox and google drive to store my private data. and i trust them they are much more safer than physical storage. for me dropbox is best.
prabhat recently posted..List Of Best Mobile Phones Under 10000 Rs in India