Is there a difference between Cloud Storage and Cloud Backup?
We hear about the Cloud Storage and Cloud Backup notions very often. But while they seem rather similar to a lot of people, that’s not exactly the case. There are some important differences to keep in mind, and we will talk about those below.
Cloud backup
As the name suggests, this is the type of service that was created to store lots of data online. You may even have all the files from your local computer stored online too. Many of these services come with unlimited data allowance and they are optimized for very fast file transfer, which is what you need to focus on.
The thing to keep in mind here is that you basically create a safe copy of your current files and store them online. The files you upload to a cloud backup service aren’t meant to be accessed or used often. Instead, they are there just to offer you a failsafe in case there are any problems you may deal with.
You will notice that cloud backup services sync and upload every folder and file quickly. That means everything is automatic, you can choose what folder to sync and the service will do that for you automatically. And since there aren’t major storage limits, you can focus on your work while the backup happens in the background.
Cloud storage
However, cloud storage is all about offering you an extra storage medium for your files. The idea is to give you immediate access to your files as you share them with other people or use them yourself. You can connect your cloud storage to third party apps. You get to have a boost in productivity and the return on investment can be a very good one due to that. Cloud storage services are all about keeping a small amount of data, but they do have a very good upload and download speed, which is extremely important here.
Most of the cloud storage options will have limitations like a certain amount of storage space. These things are normal, because you are meant to upload and download files often, so they can’t allow you to use a lot of bandwidth unless you pay for it. The service is very good for individuals, but it can work great for small businesses and even large businesses too. Cloud storage does need to offer additional protection to their files, and that’s why you need to make sure that whatever option you pick, it offers you professional encryption.
Which one is for you?
It all comes down to what you need from such a service. Some people just need to store some data online for a few hours and download it from other computer. Or they just want to share a file with colleagues. If that’s the case, cloud storage works really well. But if you want to keep your data safe online, then you do need to opt for cloud backup. All your files will be kept online and you get to choose when to download them. In the end, it’s all up to what you need, but the return on investment can be huge!