One of the most grounding traits of humanity is the storage of things. From hoarding food for the harsh seasons to protecting souvenirs of our loved ones long after they’re gone, people have saved things more than anything. And so it is not surprising to see people wanting to protect things like photos, files, books, etc. on their phone or other devices.

And this is where Cloud comes into the picture. 

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Cloud storage is a storage system designed specifically for the sole purpose for storing digital files both commercially and non-commercially. It has gained traction in the past decade for its availability and accessibility to everyone. 

But then there’s this question – what is Cloud exactly? And how do we use it?

Cloud storage is a cloud computing model that is used to store data on the internet through cloud computing techniques. It is managed by a person who operates it as a storage service. It uses the vast sea of internet as a storage platform with the help of a few choice applications and by strengthening security measures. 

How does this work?

Cloud is a huge network of data centers connected to servers through the internet. When a file is uploaded to a server through the internet,  a copy of It is stored physically not just on one server but in a few of them. So, the file can be accessed or retrieved by its owner with the help of a web-based interface or a specific application which they used to upload the file in the first place. 

What are the advantages of this?

The first and foremost advantage is that this entire thing is digital! There is nothing physical to be worried about. All kinds of data (at least with respect to the customer ) are digital, so there are no hassles of handling physical documents and absolutely no stress of losing or damaging them. Since the data are stored not just in one server but in a network of them, there is no need to worry when one of the servers is down or is destroyed; the data is just accessed through another server which it was initially stored in. The data that is stored will be protected from human errors and natural disasters alike. 

The second advantage is that it is cost-efficient. A basic cloud storage application for the average person is very low or (in some cases) entirely free of cost, depending on the application. While people with the need for huge capacity should buy extra storage, it is relatively cheaper than storing and maintaining physical copies of it. And commercially too, it is efficient to store.

Another advantage is that this entire thing is easy to maintain! With all of the important documents in one place, it’s easy to monitor them constantly. One can add, remove or delete documents as they wish. It’s easy to share those documents with people or to invite specific people to edit/view them. 

People work with laptop on cloud computing

This sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, there are also a few disadvantages to this Cloud storage network. One is that there needs to be an internet connection to access and share the files. Very few vendors provide free offline services and even then it is not as efficient as one might expect. 

Another thing is privacy. If my files are not stored physically on a hard drive, then who is responsible for managing it? This question remains unanswered as there is no clear distinction between monitoring the data and violating the privacy of the customer. While it is true that a person is needed to monitor and protect the data constantly, they might also have unbridled access to the confidential information which could be risky if it goes into the wrong hands. 

Some examples of Cloud storage applications are:

  • Google Drive 
  • iCloud 
  • One Drive 
  • Dropbox
  • Sync
  • Creative Cloud
  • MEGA
Cloud storage Wireless connection Cloud computing Wireless network Internet concept background of cloud computing technology

So, these are the pros and cons of Cloud storage. While it has its disadvantages, the good things outweigh them. In this ever-growing technology, the need for better technology is getting higher by each day. Since what is today the peak of technology would be outdated tomorrow, it is important to understand that no technology is 100% efficient or fitting to the needs of every person using it. 

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