Cloud storage is defined as "data online in the cloud," where in a company's data is stored in and accessible from multiple distributed and connected resources that comprise a cloud.
When we store data using a flashdisk or CD, we will have limited capacity. In addition, if we are traveling and forget to bring a CD or flashdisk where we store data, of course this will be a problem. This will not happen if the data we have is stored in Cloud Storage. All data stored and will be accessible whenever and wherever we are, only because this technology works with the internet network, the data can be accessed as long as we are connected to the internet network. If we are going to a location that does not have or is difficult to access the internet, then data storage with this technology will be ineffective.
Types of Cloud Storage:
If seen based on its use, data storage can be divided into 4 types, namely:
1. Personal Cloud Storage
This is a type from that we use in our daily lives. We use Android and I-phone today, for our security, we have synchronized our mobile online so that even if our phone is lost, we can back it up on a new device anytime at our convenience. Or known as mobile cloud storage, is part of the public cloud storage that is used to store individual data in the cloud and provide access to these data wherever they are. There are also data synchronization services and sharing to various devices. An example is Apple iCloud.
The biggest benefit obtained by using this type is security and privacy. You will have full control over access to the system. Even though it only stores family photos or important data such as the company's financial records, having the ability to know who sees your data is very important.
This type can be the right solution for you who need ease in accessing data safely. In addition, this solution is also the right choice for those of you who want to build a cloud system for personal use, at home, or for small and medium businesses.
2. Public Cloud Storage
That is where companies hire storage service providers to provide cloud storage and manage overall corporate data on the cloud. This public cloud storage model is suitable for unstructured types of data. An example of a public cloud storage service provider is Simple Storage Service (S3) from Amazon.
Advantages
- Highly scalable
- Cost-effective
- Highly reliable
- Expert monitoring
- No maintenance
In this type, users use publicly available cloud that has been rented or subscribed for a certain period of time. Anyone who has access to the cloud with login credentials Users can access that data from any part of the world.
The convenience offered by this type is, you do not need to save your data on hardware which certainly has a limited capacity. This is not effective considering that developing companies always make additional data so that it can be the right solution to accommodate the data.
With the existence of a third party as a cloud service provider, you don't need to bother thinking about infrastructure maintenance. Because it doesn't require installation of infrastructure and maintenance, you can also do business activities more effectively because of the availability of more time.
Besides that, from the side of budge it can also save your company's expenditure budget because of you. More importantly, because it doesn't require infrastructure, you don't need to provide a place so the type is the right solution for those of you who want cloud services but don't have enough land for infrastructure needs.
3.Private Cloud Storage
A form of cloud storage where companies and cloud service providers integrate into a corporate data center. Cloud service providers form an infrastructure in the company's data center. The aim is to increase the security and speed of data access, plus all the advantages of cloud storage.
Advantages
- Highly scalable
- Highly efficient
- Better security
- Customizable
Deficiency
- Big investment to build cloud infrastructure
- Requires experts to maintain and manage the cloud system
- If the network goes out (down), the branch of the company cannot access the data and the business process is still disrupted
Companies that provide cloud storage services manage data centers in user-allocated spaces. The main reason behind having privately available cloud storage is a secure platform requirement and limited access to data.
The purpose of this type is not to sell or offer services to customers, but it is none other than to benefit from technology without losing data center control management
Usually this type is not an option for small and medium companies, and generally the type is owned by large companies. This type itself is directed to be able to focus more on the security and regulations of the company and maintain the internal assets of the company's data behind the company's firewall.
4.Hybrid Cloud Storage
Hybrid cloud storage is a combination of public and private cloud storage where important data is stored in the company's private cloud and other data and data archives are stored and accessed through public cloud storage on cloud service providers.
Advantages
- Greater control
- Highly customizable
- Cost-effective
In this case the data is publicly available, but some parts of the data are private and are therefore limited to only a few users. So this is a model of Life and Death where it can be switched from public to private or private to the public at any time according to the user's convenience.
The example is:
Company X hires services from the Amazon Elastic Compute as the 'home' that will be used for the applications they make, but because of the regulations that apply, customer data from company X are not allowed to be placed on third parties.
From the technical point of view, company X only uses a system from the cloud provider to do computing from the enterprise X application process, but the database of the customer remains in the company's internal. in connecting between company X and cloud providers, companies usually use VPN networks in connections between applications and databases.
Cloud storage also has benefits and disadvantages in its use. The advantages and disadvantages are :
Advantages
- Back-up of Important
Data Important data should indeed be backed up, as one way to avoid loss of data from sources or storage media. Especially when the data is stored with media or electronic devices that allow it to be attacked by viruses or viruses, which results in the data being lost.
- Media sharing As in the discussion above
this technology is a media sharing between individuals with each other, and this is also widely used by companies in sharing files or data in the form of information which is then shared in general, especially to employees.
- More Flexible
Data storage using this technology, allows you or the company to allow public or internal parties to access data and files wherever they are. Apart from not needing additional tools / media, besides accessing the internet to get important files or information from companies or individuals.
Deficiency
- But one that must be considered if storing data in the cloud is the security side of the data. In addition, of course, because it is remote and requires an internet connection to access data, the user is very dependent on the available bandwidth. Data sharing activities can be disrupted if the internet connection is very slow or is not stable.
