Many organizations have recently advanced from using traditional data storage methods to storing their data in the cloud. This is because cloud storage offers tons of benefits over traditional storage.
However, there are variations in the storage services provided by various cloud providers. For example, while some can offer data storage and backup features, others might offer only data storage at a lesser price. Thus, you need to understand and choose the appropriate cloud storage management for your business based on its needs.
Below, we have listed four top cloud storage use cases that could be beneficial to your organization.
Top Four Cloud Storage Use Cases You Should Consider.
Data backup and recovery
One major use case of cloud storage management is data backup and recovery. As a company owner, it is essential to safeguard every critical and sensitive information about your company. And the best and most effective way to do this is by using cloud services to back up your files.
Cloud storage provides the best and easiest means to retrieve data in cases of disasters. Whenever you need the information, you can easily download it. Storing your company’s data on-site is not as safe and reliable as cloud storage. At any point, you could lose your data either mistakenly due to human error or even to intruders.
Also, cloud storage offers better scalability and accessibility. Most cloud services offer different service plans. If you exhaust your current plan, you can easily change to a higher one.
Hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud allows users to navigate between public and private clouds. Thereby, it gives them the flexibility to move their data between the two clouds.
Also, it enables users to enjoy the functionalities of using both cloud services. For instance, you can use the private cloud to host your company’s confidential information and use the public cloud for less sensitive ones.
Other benefits that you enjoy while using a hybrid cloud include –
- Better scalability: If the workload in your company is highly fluctuating, then hybrid cloud computing is for you. With hybrid cloud services, you can choose to ramp up or down your plan based on your demands. Thus, you can either add or reduce the storage capacity when necessary.
- Better data management: When companies receive a large influx of data, they need a more effective way to manage it. An excellent way to do that is to use a hybrid cloud. This way, they can handle the data in sections. For example, data can be stored in the private cloud while the analysis is stored in the public cloud.
- Better security: Many organizations now use hybrid clouds to back up and recover their data in cases of disasters.
Data archiving
Data archiving on the cloud allows for long-term storage of data. Usually, the information stored via this method is rarely accessed. For example, organizations in highly regulated sectors like the public sector, finances, healthcare, etc., keep data archives for long periods. This is to comply with the regulatory policies governing them.
If these archives are not retained, there will be several sanctions against the organization. They could lose their reputation as a company, as well as the customers’ trust. Several legal charges and lawsuits could also be filed against them. That’s not all. Cases of audit failure, loss of returns, regulatory fines, among other penalties, could be experienced as well.
Cloud data archiving is a better alternative than off-site storage. It requires fewer expenses and creates more space to store frequently accessed data on-site.
Data storage
Rather than using physical media like tapes and disks as a means of storage, most organizations now use the cloud to store their data. Cloud storage has several benefits over the traditional data storage system.
Below are a few reasons you should use the cloud as a means of data storage.
- Easy accessibility: Data stored in the cloud can be accessed easily. Once there is internet connectivity, you can access the cloud using computers or mobile devices anywhere.
- Security: Cloud storage, unlike on-site storage, provides a better assurance of data safety. When you upload your information to the cloud, it is saved on several servers. Thus, even if one of the data centers is affected, other centers can still manage your data.
- Lesser expenses: Storing data on-site can be expensive. But with cloud storage, you can purchase a plan at an affordable price for lifetime storage. That way, you don’t have to worry about the extra costs that come with insufficient on-site storage space.
- Scalability: Another benefit of using the cloud to store information is its scalability. You can easily scale up your current plan of storage to accommodate your company’s needs. Also, you can scale down your plan if you don’t need that much capacity anymore.
Why You Need a Service Level Agreement (SLA)
In businesses, partners sign contracts to seal their deals. Similarly, if you want to integrate cloud computing into your organization, you need to sign an SLA prepared by the cloud provider.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) refers to a set of terms mutually agreed to by the cloud service provider and the customer. This agreement serves as a blueprint of all the services the cloud service provider agrees to provide. Also, it includes the required contributions from the customer to ensure the services are maintained.
An SLA is vital because it guarantees that the cloud provider meets all their duties stated in the document. It also says the penalties attached if the terms are not met. With this, it becomes easy to hold the provider responsible for losses that might be incurred due to their mis actions.
Before you agree to a Service Level Agreement, some of the things to look out for in the document include –
- Availability of the provider: An ideal SLA should state in detail the availability of the provider. It should also include the plans of the cloud provider for cases of downtime.
- Data ownership policies: An SLA should also clearly state that all data ownership rights belong to the user. If the cloud provider doesn’t guarantee this, your data might not be safe with them.
- Customer’s duties: As a customer, specific tasks might be expected of you from your cloud provider. The SLA should outline all these responsibilities and inform you of what you are committing yourself to.
- Data recovery and backup: The cloud provider is expected to state their plans to safeguard the user’s data in cases of disasters. This is another service you should look out for before you agree to the SLA.
