Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing: Big Data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have led companies to increase their data processing, and storage needs significantly. Consequently, cloud computing systems are presented as an essential alternative to physical storage.

Cloud computing allows companies to have a new workspace and data storage that does not require physical infrastructure development. This cloud space offers several advantages – but also disadvantages that affect, in some cases, security.

Advantages Of Cloud Computing

Among the main advantages that can be highlighted are the following:

• Possibility to work anywhere and have access to programs, applications, and data from different devices;
• Immediate access to information and applications;
• Agility and guarantee in backups;
• Less risk of data loss;
• Access to more advanced technologies;
• Higher processing speed;
• Greater integration capacity;
• Possibility of establishing outsourcing contracts in security matters with the service provider;
• Guarantee of having a security system permanently updated;

Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing

The main problems that may be encountered are the following:

• Inability to access information and applications in the event of no Wi-Fi connection or failure;
• Possibilities of server failures or punctual saturations that prevent or delay the work;
• Loss of direct control over the information stored;
• The use of servers and resources shared by different companies and users favors the possibility of access failures that generate unauthorized access.;
• If data transfers are not encrypted, they represent an additional point for potential data leaks;

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage? Read on and look at both sides of the issue.

What Are The Advantages Of Cloud Storage?

The main advantages of cloud storage are:

Cost Reduction

Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage, cost savings are at the top of the list. 

The reason is that everything related to computing has a very high value—computers, software licenses, accessories, maintenance of space and equipment, internet services, etc.

All these infrastructure details must be acquired to create your server system. Therefore, by choosing cloud storage, companies eliminate a large part of this cost, directing the investment toward the payment of the solution itself.

In this service, the customer gets the advantage of paying only for the time or space on the server they use.

Security

But it’s not enough to save money and not to have a reliable solution. Therefore, security comes into the list of advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage.

Currently, cloud computing services have advanced data security protocols with multiple layers of protection, as determined by the GDPR guidelines.

In this way, customer information on the servers of supplier companies is more protected from attacks, in addition to guaranteeing the necessary confidentiality of customer data.

Reliability

Another interesting point between the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage is the reliability of this type of service.

For example, when a company with its server goes through a failure, unless there is RAID technology that creates a server with several disks connected, the entire system is unavailable. 

Cloud storage services already have this infrastructure. Your business data will be divided between several hard drives within the server. That way, the information will always be accessible. Most cloud computing providers guarantee 99.99% uptime on their cloud systems.

Agility At Work

Agility in work is also an essential highlight among the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage.

Employees and IT technicians can access company systems remotely, allowing them to locate files or adjust the plan quickly.

All this without losing the security that will guarantee the longevity and maturity of the cloud computing service within the company. Besides, of course, having a more productive team.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Cloud Storage?

It’s essential to look at the downsides of cloud storage to understand how they can be circumvented. Check out:

Downtime

We discussed system reliability and how cloud storage guarantees a high uptime guarantee. But in this item, the focus is on the downtime of a company’s internet service. Like this?

When the internet connection drops, access to servers is unavailable, hampering work progress.

It is also necessary to ensure that the power outage does not affect access to the internet. So generators and mobile internet plans should be considered to avoid this disadvantage. 

Lack Of Attention From Users

Security can be both one of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage. But why, you might ask.

Even with robust protocols that guarantee the confidentiality of information, if users don’t know how to follow security requirements, it’s like leaving the front door of a house open.

Using reliable internet networks, creating secure passwords, using two-factor settings, and being careful with suspicious links are postures that users should have from training.

Type Of Contract

It is essential to look for a provider that offers advantageous service options for your business model and allows you to customize the system. Otherwise, the solution may be disadvantageous.

So, study the possibilities to know the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage from each provider. If you don’t feel safe, hire a company to advise you on this transition.

In conclusion, data security is one of the issues that most concern companies today. Ensuring the proper protection of personal data is a legal obligation.

Also Read: Types Of Clouds, And How Does Cloud Storage Work?