There used to be no term network sharing and there was no such thing as cloud computing. Local storage is the only choice. However, along with the development of technology, cloud services such as Dropbox have revolutionized how businesses store information. By storing important files on non-local servers, employees can access their data from anywhere, anytime, as long as they have an internet connection.
But unfortunately, unexpected consequences always follow a change and in this case, data security is a major sacrifice. As a result, companies must carefully evaluate their choices and ask themselves this question, Which data management method is the best, whether cloud computing, local storage, or network sharing?
Photos, music, documents - most likely, you have a lot of computer data that you want to keep safe. And that's why you have to back up your data often if your computer is damaged, stolen, or runs out of hard drive space.
But where do you have to back up your data? You have two main options: local storage and cloud storage. Discover the pros and cons of each alternative below.
Local Storage
Local storage includes physical hardware such as external hard drives, flash drives, and CDs. As the name suggests, local storage is stored nearby. Here are some of the pros and cons of using local storage.
Advantages
- CheapEasy to use
- Data is under your control
Local storage also does not depend on internet technology. After you store something locally and you need access to it, boom, you are there. If everything is stored offline, there is no amount of internet downtime that can stop you from gaining access to your data. Saving data on a local disk is often the easiest choice. Like a desktop that can store files up to 500 GB, the capacity is not problematic. In fact, even the most basic laptops are equipped with 150 GB type disks. With so much extra space, it is often forgotten that there are other alternatives.
Local storage also does not depend on internet technology. After you store something locally and you need access to it, boom, you are there. If everything is stored offline, there is no amount of internet downtime that can stop you from gaining access to your data.
Deficiency
- Your data cannot be accessed unless you have the hardware
- External hard drives or CDs can fail or fail
- Can be stolen
But the biggest problem with local storage is a computer virus that can easily knock out the hard drive and all the data in it. While the other problem is employee laptop theft, a bad risk on a business trip.
If you are in a meeting, but you are carrying another laptop or you are using a third-party computer, how will you get your files if they are stored elsewhere?
One disadvantage is that you can easily forget about the hard drive, whereas you cannot forget to bring your cloud account to a meeting, unless there is no internet available.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage refers to any program owned by a third party that allows you to upload your data using the Internet. Some of the pros and cons are:
Advantages
- All you need is an Internet connection to access your data
- You don’t have to store your data in a physical form
- Free versions are available for storing small amounts of data
If you have a cloud account, you don't need to worry about how you will get access to your files. Wherever you enter (and from any device), your data will be there waiting for you. How many times has a laptop or tablet been damaged and cannot be used? What happens to all data stored there? The possibilities are gone forever. But with cloud storage, your files will still be ready for you to access from another computer.
Deficiency
- If you want to store a lot of information, you’ll probably have to pay for storage
- Third-party storage is vulnerable to theft and hardware failure
- Cloud storage requires an Internet connection for access
One of the main pitfalls is speed. Because your files are stored online, you need a way to connect. If your bandwidth is abnormal, or having a bad day, getting access to your cloud account can be a little slow.
With the many choices available, it is difficult to determine the right data management solution. The best way to do this is to evaluate the needs of each company. If collaboration and file sharing are very important, the Cloud service is recommended. If data security is very important, network sharing is probably the best choice. Finally, small businesses with low budgets are advised to keep using local storage systems.
