On-premise vs Cloud storage
Regardless of your industry, virtually every company requires a secure data storage system to house important documents and sensitive information.
Technological advancements mean there are various data storage options available, whether on-premise or in the cloud. Each solution has advantages and disadvantages – so which storage solution is right for your business?
On-premise Solution
The term “on-premise” refers to local hardware, meaning all company data is stored on servers, computers and other devices within the company site.
One of the main advantages to on-premise solutions is the security, which is of critical importance today. According to a report by Risk Based Security, over four billion data records were compromised in 2016 alone.
Whilst no single method can ever be 100% effective at preventing breaches, storing data locally can help keep remote hackers out of a system.
Having said that, it is imperative that organisations implement safeguards to protect their on-premise device. A study conducted by the Ponemon Institute found that 59% of disgruntled employees will take sensitive data with them.
Many organisations remain reluctant to opt for on-premise solutions due to higher upfront and lifespan costs. Like all computers, on-site servers do not have an infinite lifespan and they will need to be serviced regularly.
Besides maintenance costs, on-premise storage solutions also come with some significant indirect costs. Their very nature requires them to be running constantly to ensure accessibility, which in turn has an impact on monthly energy bills, particularly for larger companies with more than one device.
Cloud Storage
Unlike on-premise storage, cloud services are remote servers or hardware maintained by a third-party provider. This provider will sell storage space, bandwidth and access requests to organisations, depending on company needs.
It is unsurprising that cloud data is almost always cheaper than on-premise solutions. By using cloud storage, an organisation can tailor its solution to suit its specific needs. If the organisation only requires 14TB of storage space, it can purchase that exact amount.
Most reputable cloud providers will allow companies to change their plans simply. At the touch of a button, organisations can add more space to a plan, or alternatively decrease storage, ultimately saving the company money.
Another benefit of cloud data storage is the ability to access data remotely at any time. When an organisation purchases cloud storage, it is given access credentials which can be used to access data via the internet, offering a great deal of flexibility.
A major drawback of cloud storage is the risk of security breaches. Unfortunately, remote servers are accessible by anybody at any time, leaving organisations without proper encryption open to cyber-attacks. In order to ensure safety, it is of high importance that companies ensure their systems are fully secured and only accessed by authorised members of staff.
Whichever solution you choose, it pays to talk to a professional who can help you decide the best solution to suit your business. For more information, drop us a line or, for more on online security, see our previous blog.
