Backing up your data is one of the best security moves you can make. It provides you with a solid line of defense against ransomware attacks, natural disasters, device failures, and a multitude of other problems; if any of these worst-case scenarios unfolds, you can simply call on your backups and restore your systems to their previous glory.
That said, not all storage and backup methods are the same. One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to utilize cloud storage or store your data locally. What are the pros and cons of each? And how can you decide which is best?
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The Strengths of Local Storage
Let’s start with local storage. The idea here is to store all your information and backups on a local server, which you control directly. There are several benefits to this arrangement:
- Immediate, direct access. If you set up your own local backup server, you’ll have immediate and direct access to it. It can be a psychological relief, especially if you have privacy or security concerns.
- No reliance on a third party. You won’t need to work with a third party if you’re storing all your data locally. Working with a third party forces you to do a lot of research before making your choice and could leave you vulnerable to compliance issues. This way, you’ll get to avoid all these issues and handle everything in house.
- No monthly fees. You won’t have to pay any monthly fees if you’re storing your information locally; while some cloud storage platforms are free, most of them are associated with a monthly cost of some form. That said, keeping a local server up and running can also be expensive, depending on your needs.
- Total transparency and control. Can you ever be confident that a cloud storage provider is doing everything possible to maximize security? If you have lingering trust issues, local servers will give you a greater sense of transparency and control.
The Strengths of Cloud Storage
Otherwise, you can store your data in the cloud, working with a cloud services provider to keep your data secure and redundantly backed up in different physical locations around the world. These are some of the greatest advantages in this approach: As an alternative to cloud storage solutions, you can use a dedicated file transfer service.
- Lower startup costs. Getting a local server up and running can be extremely costly, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. By contrast, you can usually get started with a cloud backup solution for little to no money. Depending on your setup, this could save you thousands of dollars in initial startup costs.
- No maintenance. You don’t need to practice any maintenance if your cloud storage provider is the one responsible for making updates and keeping your data secure. That means you’ll save a lot of time and money without jeopardizing the integrity of your stored files.
- No risk of failure. Cloud storage providers can’t guarantee a zero risk of failure, but they can get darn close. Most cloud storage providers now have several remote data center locations and top of the line security to keep each of those locations safe. As long as you do your due diligence, you should be able to find a provider who takes your security extremely seriously – and they’ll likely do a much better job protecting your information than you can even with an internal team of experts.
- Flexible plans. You’re usually not locked into a plan that’s overly restrictive or overly long with a cloud storage provider. You can start with a small, basic plan and begin to add additional services as your business grows. This makes cloud storage much more adaptable and friendly to growing startups.
- Universal access. With a cloud storage provider, you can get access to your files and information from anywhere with an internet connection. You can set up a local server to grant remote access as well, but with a cloud storage provider, everything will be much simpler – and much more secure.
- Plenty of options. If you start researching cloud storage providers and you don’t like the look of your initial prospects, you can simply move onto the next batch. There are hundreds, if not thousands of cloud storage providers to choose from – and all of them offer something unique.
Why Not Both?
As you can see, both local storage and cloud storage have strengths and weaknesses. There’s no such thing as a single perfect solution for your backup needs. That’s why many businesses and individuals rely on a combination of both local and cloud storage for their data backups. It provides you with more robust protection and allows you to tap into the advantages of both approaches. Plus, because cloud storage is so inexpensive these days, it’s an affordable path forward for many.
