How Cloud Computing Has Revolutionized Data Storage

by Mason Jacob

Cloud computing is a modern concept that has completely revolutionized the way data gets stored. Previously, data had to be physically stored in devices which would take up a lot of space and needed to be carefully dealt with. Users had no say over the amount of storage they would like to take up as it solely depended on the capacity of said device. These devices included CDs, hard drives, USBs, all of which came with their own set of challenges. They took up physical space which was very inconvenient. They also were at risk of privacy and security breaches since they were physically accessible to anyone who came across them. Lastly, these two reasons made physical forms of data storage a liability which is why it was also expensive to maintain them, especially if they were not used at full capacity, which ultimately meant that users were paying extra to store less.

With cloud computing, these problems go away and users are at advantage if they store their data on a cloud database. There are multiple reasons why this is true:

1)      Increased Accessibility:

Initially, users were often restricted because they had to be at a certain place at a certain time to access important data and that too, through a certain device. This created a lot of issues since it was not possible for people to meet all these conditions just for the sake of accessing data. However, with cloud computing, users can access data through any device from any location. This has made business processes smoother too as employees can access company data from whatever device has been authorized to them and do not need to be in a specific location at a specific time for this. This is especially beneficial for employees working remote.

2)      Unlimited Capacity:

Physical forms of data storage limited consumers since they had to choose the best option according to their data needs and often had to secure multiple devices, especially if they had a lot of data. With cloud storage, users can choose how much storage they want to acquire and tailor it according to the needs of the data they have. This gives users a lot of autonomy since they are in charge of how much space is taken up. Furthermore, this takes away the element of constantly upgrading and also takes away the inconvenience caused by having to buy more products.

3)      Cost-Effectiveness:

Cloud storage is more cost effective than other forms of storage since users only pay for the storage they actually take up, as opposed to paying for a device that has storage left over in excess. It is also a comparatively low maintenance form of storage which is another reason why users will not be racking up large bills if they use it.

4)      Increased Security:

Cloud computing offers a lot of security for data which is why it is a preferred method of data storage. This is why many IT asset management tools also use cloud computing as chances of data getting compromised are lower with this form of data storage. Only authorized users have access to the data and outsiders have low chances of getting in. Multiple methods are used to make this secure since data is extremely sensitive and can be misused. Security patching can be executed very easily on cloud systems since cloud service providers work endlessly to identify any weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the system. Once a gap is identified, a new update is launched to address the problem and to ensure data is not at risk anymore.

5)      Recovery:

When data was stored physically (either on hard drives or paper), it was always susceptible to loss since data storage devices could get easily corrupted and recovering data from them was nearly impossible. At the same time, data stored on paper could get destroyed due to natural causes such as a fire or a flood, or anything that can spoil paperwork. With cloud computing, data is replicated across multiple systems at multiple locations so there is no way of losing data until and unless users deliberately delete something. It is also quite hard to get rid of digital footprints so data that was once stored online will always be available.

6)    Collaboration:

Cloud computing allows multiple users to collaborate and add or view data at the same time. This makes it very easy for remote workers to access the organization’s data from wherever they are located as they do not have to be physically present and can also collaborate with their coworkers for the same reason. This also helps with tracking the data since it can be seen who can access, view, or edit certain data. The process of collaboration becomes a lot more transparent which makes cloud computing the perfect tool for organizations.

Conclusion:

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way data gets stored and makes the entire process a lot more secure, convenient, and accessible for users. Data of any form is extremely sensitive since it contains confidential information and is always at risk of a breach. Cloud computing takes away all the risks of data storage and combines it with all the benefits of modern technology. This makes it a lucrative method of storing data not just for organizations but also for individuals who wish to record their documents and media without letting others access it. Cloud computing will always be innovative since patching with the latest updates and upgrades is very easy, which makes it a very dynamic method of data storage. Users will never have to worry about losing their data since they will always have access to it regardless of where they are. They are no longer constrained by their geographical location and can access as well as share the data with whoever they want to. Organizations are and will always be heavily reliant on cloud-based technology for their business operations. In short, cloud computing has definitely revamped the scene of data storage and has made so many features, which were once unthinkable, possible.

Mason Jacob is an avid technology writer who speaks about the latest trends in the technological landscape