The Different Types of Cloud Storage and How to Choose

Cloud storage is extremely common. Businesses and private individuals very rarely use physical storage anymore, like hard drives. Up until ten years ago, they were very common, however. Contrary to common belief, there are many different types of Cloud storage. If you don’t select the product type that’s right for you, then your experience using Cloud storage could be negative.

If you want to learn more about the different types of Cloud storage, so that you can choose confidently, you’re in the right place. Here’s how: 

Private Cloud Storage

If you are a business owner, then you will likely benefit from the use of private cloud storage. According to the Cloud pros from https://www.backblaze.com/blog/private-cloud-vs-public-cloud/, private Cloud servers are owned by (and dedicated to) a single organization. This means that the organization’s Cloud server cannot be accessed by anybody without permission. Private Cloud servers are usually built on-premises, using hardware purchased by the server’s owner. It is also possible to hire a programmer to create a private server, in which case its servers might be hosted in a third-party data center. Private servers can be very expensive because the server’s owners usually have to pay for hardware, electricity, broadband, and cooling. If you are on a very tight budget, private Cloud hosting likely isn’t the best option for you.

Public Cloud Storage

Public Cloud storage is a much simpler model, better suited to private individuals or small businesses that can’t afford the costly overheads associated with private cloud storage. Public Cloud storage has very little administrative control, making it easier to use. It can also be shared with (and used by) anybody that you want to share it with, thereby improving collaboration. Public servers are owned by a vendor, who sells access to many different users. By signing up for public storage, you aren’t required to pay the overheads associated with Cloud use, like those mentioned previously. More often than not, users pay for public storage on a monthly basis as part of a subscription.

Hybrid Cloud Storage

Hybrid storage is a unique method, unknown to many people. It is a mix of both private and public cloud storage. It allows you to keep some things private, while other things are sharable. It is a great option for businesses, especially if they are in need of private storage, but can’t afford it. Hybrid storage is also much cheaper than private storage, giving access to people who are on restricted budgets. If you are interested in hybrid storage, then once you have found a storage provider it’s definitely worth exploring what packages they have to offer. You always need to explore packages and see what they have to offer, so that you can make the right choice.

Selecting Cloud Storage

Now you know what the three types of Cloud storage are, let’s cover how you can select and choose the storage option that’s right for you.

Basic Requirements

Before you even begin looking for Cloud storage, you need to know what your specific basic requirements are. More simply, what do you need to get from Cloud storage? How much storage do you need, how often will you use it, and will you be sharing your Cloud account with other people? Ask yourself these questions before deciding upon a storage provider.

Associated Costs

How much money do you have to invest in cloud storage? As already mentioned, Cloud storage can be very expensive. On the other hand, it can also be very affordable. It’s important to weigh up what you will be using it for before you think about money. If you think about saving money from the outset, then you’re guaranteed to select the cheapest option, even if that isn’t right for your business.

Security

Security is one of the most important things to think about when you are investing in Cloud storage. The reason for this is that online hackers are becoming more advanced and sophisticated. If a cloud storage provider’s security isn’t up to scratch, then your account could be accessed without your permission or knowledge. If you are using Cloud storage for business purposes, this could result in sensitive and important data being leaked to hackers and then sold on the dark web. This will not only affect your customers’ lives, but it will also damage your reputation.

Accessibility

Finally, you need to think about accessibility. You don’t want to end up investing in complex and hard-to-use Cloud software, because this will just result in you losing a lot of time. The best way to determine whether or not a provider’s storage is easy to use is to read their reviews.

Finding Cloud storage isn’t easy, especially if you haven’t ever had to do it before. Whether you are searching for your business or just for personal reasons, make sure that you find the software that’s perfect for you. Conduct extensive research, read reviews, and see what people have to say on online forums. Only when you know everything there is to know can you make an educated decision about Cloud storage.