Cloud computing, the delivery of on-demand computing services over the internet, has revolutionised the way businesses operate across many industries. Cloud storage is one of its most commonly-used applications. This storage method offers many benefits that can prove to be very advantageous for every company that uses it.

Numerous organisations have already switched to the cloud for their storage needs, and it’s only a matter of time before the majority of all data of most enterprises will be stored in the cloud.

What is cloud storage?

Cloud storage is a type of computer data storage model wherein data is stored through remote servers accessed from the internet, commonly known as the “cloud.” You can avail of cloud storage through cloud storage providers (CSPs) offering their services. Since the CSPs hold the data in their servers, managing the storage capacity and ensuring the security of your data now forms part of their responsibility.

This post should give you a good grasp on how you can maximise the benefits of cloud storage to boost your business.

Why cloud storage is best for your business

1. Ensures high level of security

   

   As an organisation, ensuring a high level of security for your data to ward off any malware attack should be a top priority. After all, companies that have fallen victim to data breaches have suffered from huge losses, customer fallout, and damage to reputation. Unless you want your business to suffer the same consequences, important data should be protected at all costs.

   Storing your data in the cloud through a reliable third-party service provider would be a viable option to guarantee data security. You can choose cloud storage providers that store data in encrypted form so that even if hackers were able to get into the CSP’s servers, the information they would find would be meaningless. In addition, most cloud storage providers have additional security features for their servers such as advanced firewall, intrusion detection, event logging, and others.

2. Simplifies data backup

   

   One of the biggest complications you may run into as a business is retrieving lost or corrupted data. This is very common when files are stored locally and the physical storage is damaged or lost due to certain circumstances. But this is not a concern with cloud storage because the cloud’s ability to have backup copies of your data ensures that the possibility of data loss is very minimal.

   Another way to guarantee the availability of your data at all times is to prepare a disaster recovery plan. This is mostly applicable for enterprises who also maintain physical storage servers on-premise. With a disaster recovery plan, the company avails of third-party cloud backup services for the replication of files and data onto virtual servers to provide failover in the event of a catastrophe.

3. Supports remote working arrangements

   

   With Covid-19 greatly affecting the way we live and work, remote working arrangements have become the new normal, highlighting another benefit of cloud storage: the ability to access data anytime, anywhere, for as long as there is an internet connection. This feature is especially beneficial in these times where people gravitate towards technological solutions to cope with the circumstances.

   As more companies encourage work-from-home arrangements, cloud storage has become a go-to solution for employees. Users can access files inside the comfort of their homes and send it to or collaborate on it with colleagues who are located halfway across the globe.

4. Offers a cost-effective solution to storage needs

   

   A primary feature of cloud storage is that it is accessed through the internet. This means that you do not have to worry about physical infrastructure—servers, storage systems, networking devices, etc. Your organisation would not need to invest in costly capital expenditure, and you would also save on precious time, factoring in the man-hours required in maintaining hardware.

   Cloud storage also helps businesses become green, as it is very energy efficient. To use cloud storage, you won’t need a separate device, apart from your current servers, desktops, and laptops, plus a stable internet connection. This is opposed to the larger and bulkier storage infrastructures, that not only take up a great deal of space but also demand huge amounts of electricity to keep them up and running.

5. Enables comprehensive scalability

   

   Scalability is one of the principal features in cloud storage, and the cloud in general. This means that whether you have an excess or an insufficient amount of storage space, you can smoothly scale up and down. With physical storage, scalability is unheard of as you can’t set up or get rid of physical hardware at a moment’s notice.

   But it’s easy with cloud storage. Did your organisation’s storage needs suddenly spike up due to a new product launched? Or is your storage capacity in excess after the peak season? Just tweak a few settings in your account and you’re good to go. This benefit has the added bonus of cost savings, as you can buy storage space according to your requirements at the moment.

Costly physical storage infrastructures are a thing of the past. With all the technology that has become available today, data should be stored efficiently and securely without breaking the bank. Find a trusted cloud storage provider today and enjoy the benefits that it offers.