Data management and data security are top priorities for businesses today. Due to the rise in popularity of digital and online platforms, businesses now have to process a lot more data than ever before. In the quest for better data management and data security, businesses are driven to devise strategies to keep data safe from different kinds of threats. In this article, we are going to talk about the different methods of storing data. Specifically, we will discuss the two primary methods of storing data – physical and cloud. Additionally, we’re going to introduce the concept of NAS storage and backup as one alternative to data storage that you really have to consider.
The quest for better data management and data security
As we have previously established, data management and data security are among the major concerns for all business entities. This is because data acts as both an asset and a liability for businesses. Data is an asset in the sense that most, if not all, of the transactions and activities of the business are in some form of data. This includes customer details, reports, pricing, accounts, etc. In that case, it is a crucial component of their operations. If data is not properly handled, then the business could take a hit.
Data is also a liability at the same time in the sense that these businesses have a responsibility to safe keep the information that they have collected from the public. Their customers have entrusted them with keeping personal information secure and free from threats, and so companies would have to do their part in this type of business relationship.
Physical
Physical storage is perhaps the most common data storage method to date. This method involves the use of hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) to store information. A collection of these storage units is often referred to as a local server. Companies, especially huge ones, sometimes prefer this method of data storage because they effectively own and control the entirety of this system. This allows them to have direct and fast access to all the data that they might need during the regular course of business. However, this strategy can be quite expensive to set up and maintain. Because the business owns and controls everything, it would have to allocate a budget for maintenance, repairs, diagnostics, and just the general day-to-day operation of such a system.
Cloud
A lot of companies have also started to transition from physical storage to cloud storage. Cloud storage does away with having to use physical storage units to store data. Instead, they subscribe to the services of third-party cloud service providers to rent out cloud storage space. In such a setup, companies would upload their files to the cloud server, and they can access it freely via the internet. Here, the cloud server is owned and controlled by the third-party provider, but the cloud storage space being rented out is exclusively and strictly allocated to the client. Other clients will have no access to your files in this setup. Cloud storage is a great option because there is virtually no maintenance, it is highly scalable, and it can also be cheaper in some cases.
NAS
Network-attached storage (NAS) systems are essentially cloud servers that operate primarily in a local network. To some extent, this is kind of a mix between physical and cloud storage systems. In a NAS setup, the storage space is located at the local network level, which means that there is no need for an external service provider. Because of this, companies will still have direct and reliable access to the files, but it will be less prone to hardware failure, unlike in a fully physical storage system. In other words, it can provide you the benefit of both of the previously-mentioned systems. However, this usually comes with a higher price tag as it involves more advanced equipment and software.
