Comparing Cloud Storage And Physical Storage

The evolution of sorting data has come so far. We have now reached the use of the internet for storing data,  but this is not where it ends. Tech companies continue to experiment and create something better. But for now, we can settle on the best that tech companies can offer. As of today, cloud storage is the latest digital storage device there is.  Let us see a detailed comparison between the Cloud and those previously invented physical storage devices and also discuss their specifications.

Advantages of cloud storage

The Cloud allows users to store and access data on the internet. As long as you have internet, you can store, share and receive data whenever possible. You can also sync your files across different devices. For example, if you use the Backblaze B2 cloud, you can access whatever files and data you want as long as your device has access to Backblaze B2. If you use a physical storage device like a flash drive or a hard disk drive, the process of sharing data is way longer. 

Let’s say you take a video on your cellphone and want to transfer it to another device. You would have to connect your phone to your laptop or computer and put the video there. Then connect the hard drive to your computer or laptop. Transfer the file from that device to the hard drive, then use the hard drive to transfer the video to the device where you want it to be transferred. This process takes way more time, and the file uploading may also take longer, so the time you’ve spent on doing so is basically doubled. 

Sharing data is also way easier in cloud storage. You just have to give them access by sharing a link, they click that link, and they’re good to go. You can also share the files through different social media easily. Using this storage technology makes the risk of losing data because of some damage much less. Dropping your hard drive may result in loss of data. If you are unlucky enough that your hard drive gets wet and damages its internal parts, you will permanently lose the data you have. You cannot restore the lost data.

Another advantage of utilizing the Cloud is the price. They are cheaper compared to physical drives. There are also many options available, which is perfect if you are on a tight budget. Unlike external hard drives, the Cloud has a backup option. If you turn this feature on, the files, images, and videos are automatically duplicated. So if you accidentally delete some data, you still have another copy of it. Unlike cloud storage, if you accidentally delete something on your hard drive or your device breaks along with the hard drive, there is no way of restoring the data you have.

Challenges of using cloud storage

Since the data is stored in the interment, you cannot access them if you do not have an internet connection. Physical storage devices, however, can be used anytime as long as you have an adaptor. But the wifi problem isn’t much of a big deal anyway since there are lots of public wifis available outside. You can also connect to a hotspot. 

Another thing you have to consider is the possibility of the cloud getting hacked. Since data is on the internet, there will always be a chance of data breaches and malware in cyberspace. However, there is still a chance that data will be leaked on hard drives when they get stolen, for example. 

There will always be two sides to the coin. There is no such thing as having only advantages. What’s important when picking your storage device is choosing wisely. You should know your priorities and needs so that you can select the perfect storage.