Introduction
We are in a world where digitalization has taken over and it is hard not to find yourself surrounded by so many tons of data such as our photos to important work documents. By the day, data generation continues to rise at a rate that is hard to anticipate or describe. This scenario requites the need for a secure simple, yet elastic and accessible means of data storage. An accessible cloud storage solution offers the best solution whereby you can store, organize and retrieve your data over the internet from anywhere around the world.
Cloud storage on the other hand, still enables users to store data on servers which are located at a remote platform owned by a service provider. Advantages of using this hosting service include; it is cheap and convenient and it is also secured for the host. The information contained in this article will therefore enlighten you on several dimensions of cloud storage solutions to enable you settle for the most suitable one in the marketplace.
Why opt for Cloud Storage?
There are numerous advantages associated with cloud storage solutions, but here are the primary reasons to opt for them:
1. Accessibility: Users can retrieve files from any location that has internet connection and therefore cloud storage is convenient as it does not take place into consideration the geographical location of the user. This comes particularly in handy during staff emergencies, or in instances where individuals are working from home.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: A key benefit to utilizing the cloud is that you are able to lower your expenses for storage hardware and upkeep. You do not have to spend money in costly hardware or time and resources for maintenance as before. Furthermore, it is easy to increase one’s storage capacity depending on the requirements of the particular business.
3. Scalability: This means that cloud storage solutions are extremely elastic allowing users to ups or downs scale their storage needs to their hearts desire. It has also become highly recommended for firms that are growing or sometimes use varying amounts of data storage capacity.
4. Data Security: Usually, cloud storage, is protected from hacker attacks with the help of encryption and two-factor authentication of users. Data stored in such ways can be safely stored and are also useful for the company to maintain the compliance of standards that are required.
5. Automatic Backup: Currently, most service providers of cloud storage solutions provide real-time back-up services where modifications to your stored data are backed up instantly.
Top Cloud Storage Solutions
As we have seen, going for a cloud storage solution has its merits and in this section, we will consider some of the best ones available.
Google Drive
Google Drive is cloud application which is offered by Google, it has free space for storage of up to fifteen gigabytes. Google has integrated the Google Drive with other applications that make up the office productivity applications including the docs, sheets, and slides. Google Drive means that users are able to share files and work simultaneously, thus it is beneficial for business and team.
Dropbox
Dropbox has been described as a very intuitive cloud storage system where even a layman will have no problem using the Dropbox application. Free storage 2 GB and more services for personal and teams, as well as a package of tools for increasing productivity. Integrating with other team members is an easy thing to do, as is its compatibility with other third party apps, and its ability to interconnect.
Microsoft OneDrive
So the other competitor to Dropbox is also from Microsoft – a product named OneDrive, which is so tightly integrated with the Office 365 package that the service isn’t available outside. This service offers web space of 5 GB for free and has plans for personal and commercial users. OneDrive is used for storing and accessing personal and shared files on the Web and any device, as well as for co-authoring. It also includes the ability to remotely access files, search options, and the automatically backup your photos.
S3 or the Simple Storage Service
Amazon S3 is considered as an elastic, secure and durable web service for storing physical objects available in Amazon Web Services (AWS). This platform consists of features that let the users store and access any volume of information at any time with a cheap pay-as-you-go service model. amazon s3 is an amazing service offered by the company for large scaled treat enterprises and developers to offer some features such as data versioning, lifecycle policies, cross region replication among others.
IcedDrive
IcedDrive is a cloud storage service which means that their backup services cannot be accessed by third parties unless allowed by the account owner; it offers ten gigabytes of storage space for free. This service entails safety and privacy aspects in that it provides encrypted services from one end to the other as well as decentralized storage services. IcedDrive guarantees the user full control of their data and blocks third parties and sharing of data. The platform also introduces a safe browser to allow users to work with the documents; improving the security.
Conclusion
Almost every day, the digital world produces an enormous amount of data that requires a proficient and efficient storage system. One major advantage of cloud storage includes: affordability, data security, data access, and data expansion. So, after considering several offers that are on the market, it would be wise to estimate your needs and choose the most suitable cloud storage tool.
In this article, we looked at some of the best cloud storage services including Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Amazon S3, and IcedDrive. Such platforms may possess differing capabilities and advantages, providing the needed services to users of different types. Having insights into their specialty services, you will be in a position to select the right cloud storage solution that works best to guarantee optimal data handling without compromising on the sense of security you need.
