The term cloud in cloud computing often refers back to the cloud symbol in diagrams representing the Internet. Cloud computing can encompass a broad array of hosted services, which primarily include kinds of cloud servers and cloud storage. Cloud storage is the procedure of storing and burning data on servers, making data accessible online.

With cloud storage, your computer data doesn't need to become located on-site and will theoretically be stored anywhere; which begs the question, is your data safe without having physical possession of it?

Pros to Hosted Storage:

cloud storage

Depending on configuration, organizations can opt to share resources on the server, letting them share the expense of the server along with other companies. Even though the server is technically shared, other organizations/people would not have access important computer data. The negative effects to sharing server resources is that it allows for less customizability and integration along with your organization. For that reason, larger corporations with additional sophisticated requirements will normally opt for a private server, where they lose the price saving benefit, but nevertheless benefit from the other benefits, such as the accessibility of cloud storage.

Cons of Hosted Storage

Localized storage may provide users with piece of mind, knowing that their details are within their office, inside a server that they'll physically see and touch. This problem is warranted as numerous users are unaware that cloud storage providers may send their data to places where its' security can be compromised through foreign laws. For example, in case a Canadian lawyer stores their files on a cloud server located somewhere in the usa, sensitive client data might be compromised with the US Patriot Act. Because of this, with regards to the nature of business, it could be within your best interest to research in which the cloud provider's data servers are.

Establishing a local private server can be very expensive, as companies will have to purchase server and workstation related hardware, software licenses, installing patches, anti-virus software, upgrades plus much more annually on using the IT staff to implement, manage and maintain it.

cloud storage

Cloud Storage Recap

Pros:

More affordable than private servers
Data is accessible everywhere
Business continuity as data may be backed up automatically

Cons:

Physical location of information is often unknown
Data is susceptible to the law of where it is located

Up-and-coming small to medium-sized businesses have probably the most to achieve through cloud storage.