Cloud storage has given users the ability to share and access files remotely without access to their local storage systems.
While this has opened up many doors for video teams there are some considerations that need to be made before implementing cloud storage into your video workflow.
Below are 5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages of Cloud Storage:
Advantages of Cloud Storage
- CostPurchasing physical storage can be expensive. Without the need for hardware cloud storage is exceptionally cheaper per GB than using external drives.
- Accessibility
Using the cloud for storage gives you access to your files from anywhere that has an internet connection.
- Recovery
In the event of a hard drive failure or other hardware malfunction, you can access your files on the cloud. It acts as a backup solution for your local storage on physical drives.
- Syncing and Updating
When you are working with cloud storage, every time you make changes to a file it will be synced and updated across all of your devices that you access the cloud from.
- Security
Cloud storage providers add additional layers of security to their services. Since there are many people with files stored on the cloud, these providers go to added lengths to make sure your files don't get accessed by someone who shouldn't
Disadvantages of Cloud Storage
- Internet Connection
Cloud based storage is dependent on having an internet connection. If you are on a slow network you may have issues accessing your storage. In the event you find yourself somewhere without internet, you won't be able to access your files.
- Costs
There are additional costs for uploading and downloading files from the cloud. These can quickly add up if you are trying to access lots of files often.
- Hard Drives
Cloud storage is supposed to eliminate our dependency on hard drives right? Well some business cloud storage providers require physical hard drives as well.
- Support
Support for cloud storage isn't the best, especially if you are using a free version of a cloud provider. Many providers refer you to a knowledge base or FAQs.
- Privacy
When you use a cloud provider, your data is no longer on your physical storage. So who is responsible for making sure that data is secure? That's a gray area that is still being figured out.