Cloud storage and local storage services are always confused with each other. Although they have similarities among themselves, they also have many differences.
These two technologies, which serve similar purposes, provide solutions to the storage needs of companies. Keeping much high-impact data secure is one of the main reasons for the need for storage.
These two technologies, which serve similar purposes, provide solutions to the storage needs of individuals and companies. Keeping a large number of high-impact data secure is one of the main reasons for the need for storage.
Based on this need, these two services are the most common services known in the field of digital data storage.
It is important to clearly understand these two services before choosing between cloud storage and local storage. In this blog post, you can have detailed information about these two services and learn what to consider when choosing.
What is Cloud Storage?
As the name suggests, cloud storage is where your data is stored on cloud servers and accessed via an internet connection. In this way, if you are connected to the internet, you can access your data from anywhere, anytime.
Your data security and scalability depend on your cloud storage service provider.
All configurations are made by the provider. The only thing you, as a user, can do about data security or scalability is to pay attention to the features of the service when choosing your provider.
Usually, your data is hosted on multiple servers in many parts of the world. The number of these servers or regions will also vary depending on the competency of your cloud storage provider.
Even if a server has a problem due to natural disasters or cyber-attack, data loss is prevented through replications on other servers.
What is Local Storage?
A local storage can be defined as a set of servers physically owned by companies.
Thanks to the local storage, you may not need the internet to store your data. You can access the data you upload to the servers in your company directly over the local network. This way you might have more secure data access.
The company has full control of its own local storage. In this way, the company is free to take any decision in data management within the technical limits. In the local storage model, the company itself is fully responsible for all configurations made for the security and scalability of the data.
Since the company is responsible for all transactions, the company itself is also responsible for any breach in data security.
Mostly, the Information Technology (IT) department in the company handles the operations in the local storage.
What are the Pros and Cons of Cloud Storage?
The benefits of cloud storage vary for each company. Cloud storage may not meet company's every needs. Therefore, this detail should be considered when evaluating the pros and cons of cloud storage.
Pros of Cloud Storage
No Capacity Problem
You will not encounter a capacity problem in the cloud storage service. In case you need to increase the storage capacity you use, it will be sufficient to increase your service usage plan.
Another method for “Pay As You Go” systems is just uploading, then your usage capacity will automatically expand. It will only take a few minutes to do this.
Leave Data Security to the Service Provider
There is nothing you need to do extra to ensure data security. The processes required for security are done by your cloud storage service provider.
Security control rests entirely with your cloud storage service provider. Your service provider must have all the necessary up-to-date certifications.
The servers where your data resides may be in different locations. If there are no usage errors/vulnerabilities caused by the customer, the security and redundancy of your data is the responsibility of the service provider.
Easy Accessibility
It is possible to access your data stored in the cloud whenever you are connected to the Internet. You can access and act on your data whenever you want and wherever you are.
Lower Costs
You pay your service provider according to the data capacity you want to use, without the need to own a server.
Since you do not have any additional technical operations other than data storage, there are no extra costs.
You can take control of your costs by choosing a cloud storage service plan according to the size of your data volume.
At the same time, there are systems where you can only pay for the storage space you use with the "Pay as You Go" option.
Merlin Cloud Storage service offers this “Pay as You Go” payment option, you can click here to check out the prices.
Prevents Data Loss
If your local server encounters any problem and your data is lost from where it is originally located, it can be recovered from your cloud server if they are backed up on cloud storage.
Thanks to the internet connection, you can download your data from the cloud and continue your work without losing any data.
Cons of Cloud Storage
Since cloud storage servers belong to your service provider, you may not be able to perform every customization you want on the servers.
This means that you do not have 100% control when purchasing cloud storage services.
The Need for a Strong Internet Connection
The only way to access your data in the cloud is through the internet. For this reason, your company must have a strong internet connection. Otherwise, disruption of your business may be inevitable when faced with internet connection problems.
To prevent this, you must have a good internet connection with high bandwidth.
Cyber Attacks
The data you store is in the cloud, within the internet network. This means: You are likely to encounter cyber threats almost anywhere there is an internet connection.
Since the connection between you and your data is not local, cyber security vulnerabilities can cause problems. If cyber attackers notice these vulnerabilities, they can misuse your data and negatively affect your company.
For this reason, it is necessary for the customer to be careful when completing the necessary security and access settings that they can make on their own side.
Pros of Local Storage
100% Control
The local storage is ideal for companies that want full control over their data management. All functions of the local storage only serve the needs of that company.
More Enhanced Data Security
Local storage can use local networks instead of internet connections. In this case, local storage can only be accessed by devices and people connected to the local network.
This plays an important role in increasing data security.
Makes a Positive Contribution to Productivity
The servers are directly communicated over the local network. In this way, even if the company has an internet connection problem, the relevant team can continue their work without interruption.
An uninterrupted workflow contributes positively to business performance and productivity.
Cons of Local
In addition to its advantages, local storage also have disadvantages against cloud storage.
Finding Limited Capacity
As with cloud storage, the capacity cannot be increased in a few minutes. To increase the capacity, the company needs to procure additional servers and equipment.
The company is responsible for additional purchasing and configuration processes.
More Costly
The need for human labor along with hardware and software resources to set up a local storage can lead to higher costs.
The cost of the process until the use of the local storage is many times higher than the cloud storage service.
How to Choose the Right Service for You?
All the factors that will determine the answer to this question are related to determining exactly what the company's needs are.
Companies That Can Choose Cloud Storage Providers
- No threat or concern in terms of data security,
- Unable or unwilling to allocate very heavy budgets for data management,
- Giving importance to the accessibility of data from different locations of the world,
- Having a high volume of data that needs to be backed up,
- Not having enough employees for the local storage,
Companies that do not want to deal with the required certifications for local storage can choose cloud storage service.
Companies That Can Choose to Build a Local Storage
- Those who want or can allocate significant resources to data storage,
- Able to employ personnel to work for the local storage,
- Needing to keep data security at the highest level,
- Able to provide and control required capacity increases,
Companies that can provide the certifications required for local storage installation can choose the local storage.
Why Cloud Storage is Confused with Local Storage?
We can list the features that can cause this situation as follows:
- They are both mainly used for performing data storage/storage operations.
- The overall use of multiple servers for data storage in both services.
- Not knowing the exact access method used in the local storage and cloud storage.
- Lack of information in data storage.
To have more detailed information about cloud storage, you can also read our blog post “Keep Safe and Easily Access Your Data with Cloud Storage”.