Abhishek Chauhan
Cloud storage is a cloud computing model in which data is stored via the internet and stored in remote locations, and when required, it is again retrieved by the user over a secure network. The cloud service provider or managed service provider manages, maintains, and backed up data on the virtual servers. Virtual servers run on the cloud computing platform and are built via virtualization software. This software converts a physical server into multiple virtual servers, and each virtual server has its own operating system. By subscribing to cloud-based storage services, you can focus on the core work area without worrying about data security and management.
To take data protection services to the next level, many cloud services and storage providers have integrated data encryption tools; ranging from the encrypted network connection to solely encryption of sensitive data. The advanced encryption techniques have enhanced the security capabilities of virtual servers.
How Does Cloud Storage Work?
The evolution of cloud storage has replaced the traditional hard drives and external storage devices like flash drives, thumb drives, and compact disks. Cloud storage involves at least one data server. The subscriber transmits the data to the data server over the internet, and then it is distributed among multiple servers and can be accessed through a web-based interface.
As stated above, cloud storage encompasses myriad servers. This ensures data availability; even if one server goes down or under maintenance, the data is replicated to other servers and can be easily retrieved by the authenticated user.
Many people often get confused between the term cloud storage and cloud computing. Although they belong to the same niche, there is a difference between these two technologies.
Cloud Storage vs Cloud Computing
Cloud storage is the technology that allows you to save data on cloud-based servers via the internet. One Drive, Google Drive, DropBox, iCloud are the most popular cloud storage platforms. Once data gets stored in virtual servers, you and any other legal user can access it through any device.
Generally, businesses opt for cloud-based storage to store and share data with their employees, clients, and investors. Managed IT support service providers offer cloud storage services to save important files and folders in an off-site location. It allows you to resume the data in the event of system or hard drive failure.
Cloud computing is the technology that makes use of the internet to share software with different users. It is used for developing application code remotely and requires more computing power than cloud storage. SaaS, PaaS, IaaS are three major models of cloud computing. Cloud computing is linked to cloud storage, as you need to move data to the cloud before performing any computing task.
Types Of Clouds Storage
Generally, there are 4 types of cloud storage: public, private, hybrid, and community. Let us discuss them in detail.
- Public Cloud
The public cloud is open for everyone; means its resources are available to anyone who wants to subscribe to it. Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud platforms are the biggest public clouds. Typically, small enterprises prefer to store data in the public cloud as it is inexpensive.
- Private Cloud
A private cloud is more secure than a public cloud because the stored data is dedicated to a single client. The user accesses the cloud environment via secure network links in lieu of the internet. However, it is much more expensive than public cloud storage, and only large enterprises choose it.
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- Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud is a mixture of public and private clouds and is used by financial institutions and healthcare centers. Financial service providers store trade orders in the private cloud and public cloud for trade analysis. Healthcare centers use private clouds to store sensitive data of patients and save general information on public clouds.
- Community Cloud
The community cloud is a kind of hybrid private cloud. It enables multiple organizations who have the same computing concerns to work on the same platform. The community cloud storage model is best for joint ventures and research organizations.
Wrapping Up -:
Cloud storage allows organizations to store data on the internet, which can be accessed anytime from any device. In the times of the COVID-19 epidemic, many companies have switched to cloud-based storage to run their business operations smoothly. Cloud technology gives flexibility to employees to work from home in the time of social distancing.
