Data Protection: Is Cloud Storage the Answer?

It is no wonder that the use of cloud storage is growing rapidly. More and more businesses

all over the world are adopting this digital way of storing data to take advantage of the

many benefits associated with cloud computing. These include greater flexibility, greater

scalability and increased productivity. Even the issue of data protection, often cited as

a weakness of the cloud, could actually be solved by the use of this modern form of

computing.

Cloud Storage

Although cloud storage has its roots in the 1980s, it is a relatively recent arrival to the world

of business. Despite this, cloud software is already offered by some of the most respected

companies in computing. For a look at the types of software and solutions available, go to

McLaren Software. The popularity of storing data in the cloud shows no sign of

slowing down - in fact, it is expected to continue apace in the future, according to this article.

The key factor that makes cloud computing so popular is that everything is stored in the

cloud, that is to say, everything is stored in virtual, online servers run by hosting companies.

This saves businesses money, time and effort. However, not everyone is convinced by cloud

computing and some feel that protection of their data could be an issue.

Fear of Flying

Because cloud computing takes place in a virtual location, it may seem to some people that

their data is somehow remote and unprotected. It is this same line of thinking that makes people

fear flying: because it seems unsafe, it is unsafe. It is a fear that is both irrational while at the

same time highly rational; after all, humans were not created to fly. The fact is, however, that

we are now perfectly capable of doing so; and today, flying is actually one of the safest

forms of transport around. Similarly, cloud computing is now one of the safest forms of

computing we have at our disposal.

Data protection in the cloud

Despite the fears about the safety of cloud computing, there are a number of ways in which

cloud storage can actually enhance data protection. Firstly, there is the fact that data is

stored on remote servers instead of on physical hardware, such as hard drives and USB

memory sticks. This hugely reduces the chance that the data could be lost, damaged or

stolen. Also important is that the servers are maintained by hosting companies, whose main

job is to keep these servers in optimal condition, a role in which they are likely to spend more

time and money than a normal business maintaining their own servers would.

The data stored on the cloud is backed up on a number of different servers, meaning that

in the unlikely event that one server does go down, the other servers will hold the fort. The

servers are all updated automatically so they receive the most up to date protection packages as

and when they become available.

Of course, although rare, the loss of data stored on the cloud does happen. In this instance,

the data leaves an identity trail on the internet making it easy to track. This helps to make

data retrieval from cloud storage fast, more reliable and cheaper than the equivalent process

in conventional computing.