Where should I store my data? - Cloud versus Network
Almost everyone stores data in the cloud in some form these days. For example, most apps on our smartphone store data. Unfortunately, most of the time we lack control and knowledge of what data is stored, how and where. In this blog article, we will go over the pros and cons of consciously keeping data in the cloud.
An easily comprehensible benefit is realized by many at the latest when they have done without it until then. For example, if someone loses their smartphone and therefore all contact data, pictures and appointments are gone. Thanks to a cloud connection, the lost data is restored in no time.
Does local data backup still make sense?
Whether private users or companies, we all have a lot of data stored on our smartphones and computers. This ranges from movies and photos to important documents, offers, invoices, sales documents and much more.
For both customer groups, the question of whether to store and back up data locally or outsource it to a service provider is becoming increasingly important. Especially since the cloud has made storage considerably cheaper and easier, a review of the previous strategy is appropriate. To put it in a nutshell: Cloud storage offers many advantages over local in-house data storage - both for companies and for private individuals.
All-round carefree - the advantages of a cloud
One of the most obvious advantages is that external storage in the cloud means that information can be accessed from anywhere. For private use, this could be feature films that you want to watch not only at home, but also on vacation. In the corporate sector, it's employees who have access from anywhere and can work when and where they want. This increases attractiveness as an employer as well as productivity.
Another argument in favor of outsourcing to an external service is that you no longer have to worry about data security and data protection. For companies in particular, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the necessary expertise within the company.
Another advantage is the flexibility that the cloud brings with it: you can scale up or down very quickly, i.e. increase or decrease the necessary storage volume and activate more or fewer users for the service. Many providers also allow individual rights assignment per employee, so that, for example, only the HR manager and not the administrator can view the wage data.
Public cloud also works
Of course, there are differences between the individual providers. The so-called hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Google or Amazon usually store the data for private users in a "public cloud", where the user does not know where his photos and documents are stored and who has access to them in case of doubt. It is true that the "big players" now also have their own data centers in Switzerland. However, many private individuals are now no longer so concerned about whether anyone can view their friends' phone numbers or vacation photos. For many, a Dropbox or Suisse-Key and the use of WhatsApp are enough to store and share data.
Trustworthy Swiss private cloud
However, it is still important for companies in particular to know that their corporate information is safe with "their peers", which is why they like to prefer Swiss providers. It also creates more trust for the joint processing of documents with customers and partners to store one's data with a Swiss company.
Another argument in favor of choosing a local service provider is that you are on an equal footing with them. If you have a problem, you can call and talk in your native language and with someone in Switzerland and don't have to speak High German with a call center employee in Ireland or India.
But there are also companies that outsource the less critical data to one of the international providers for cost reasons and leave the confidential information to a Swiss service or even manage it themselves in their own network. This hybrid use of storage is no longer a technical witchcraft.
Individual needs determine the choice
When choosing a storage strategy, every private individual and every company should therefore compare their own requirements and wishes with the financial and human resources and compare the individual offers with each other. One thing is certain, however: if you don't want to or can't take care of the technical issues yourself, outsource your data storage and backup and focus on your core competencies.