How is Data Stored in the Cloud?

Every now and then tremendous volumes of data have been flowing up and down in the cloud storage. Have you ever wondered how does it happens and the things behind it? Let’s talk about it in this article. 

What is Cloud Storage? 

Cloud storage is the process of storing data in virtual servers. All the virtual servers are designed in a way to stay connected with data centers that store the pool of data. Once data gets into the data center it gets complete accessibility via the internet. Virtual servers are more likely to be highly efficient as physical servers consume more power and hold less capacity. These kinds of highly advanced cloud computing servers are entirely designed, managed and maintained by cloud service providers like AWS, Azure and google cloud etc., 

Users can store and access the data in the cloud anywhere and anytime! Cloud service providers charge the users based upon the space they occupied in the cloud and they all follow pay-as-you-go model. 

In the initial stage organizations use devices and hard disks to store their data. As the volume of data gets elongated, they find difficulty in storage and move on towards Storage Area Network (SAN), however SAN is also a complicated model requires infrastructure and equipment’s for seamless functionality, yet companies need to need servers and networks if the volume of data increases and now cloud has become the Savior for the tech world. 

Types Of Cloud Computing Services 

Cloud based services are classified in three diverse categories based upon infrastructure, Platform and software 

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 
• Platform as a Service (PaaS) 
• Software as a Service (SaaS) 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 

IaaS service allows users to make use of the service provider’s infrastructure, servers, virtual machines, etc., and it is a kind of renting process. The user needs to pay on a monthly basis depending upon the volume used. This service is very much appreciated and adopted by startups and small businesses. 

Platform as a Service (PaaS) 

PaaS is precisely built for developers. Through this service, developers can get access to complicated cloud-based tools like APIs, web portals and gateway software’s 

Software as a Service (SaaS) 

SaaS is a widely used offerings. consider Microsoft 365 or google workspace those are the kind of software applications that are designed to be easily accessible via internet with annual or monthly subscription. 

How is data stored in the cloud? 

Cloud holds enormous numbers of servers includes master servers and storage servers both are entwined with each other and connected with data centers. Like traditional data storage cloud also uses servers but the difference is in off-site storage. Based upon the storage needs the service provider allocated virtual servers. In any case, if your volume of data gets enlarged, the service provider will create a virtual server for you. 

The user can connect to cloud storage through any kind of medium like website, app or dedicated private connection or anything. 

For redundancy, the same data is stored on multiple machines. By doing so, the users can get uninterrupted access to their data in any case of natural hazards or server down. 

There are three ways to store in a cloud. 

1. Public Cloud: In a public cloud, the user can share the space with other users. Service providers typically accessibility to this kind of cloud services from any devices. 
2. Private Cloud: It is a replica of a cloud built under your network. No other user can share the space with you. Sector maintaining crucial data like banking, military prefer private cloud. 
3. Hybrid Cloud: Hybrid cloud has the character of both private and public cloud. It allows organizations to make decisions on data storage. They can store ordinary data in the public cloud and highly sensitive data under private cloud. 

Data Security 

Data is a treasure in any business! The cloud service providers need to provide end-to-end data protection again cyber-attacks and threats. All sorts of data like content, e-mail, customer records need to be fortified with layered security with up-to-date technologies. Cloud Security Managed Providers offers high-end security to the cloud environment 

Cloud services have undertaken best practices to fortify the data that are listed below. 

Encryption: Encryption is a complex algorithm used to safeguard data which is commonly known as “data encryption” Any users need to have the encryption key to access the encrypted files. 

Authorization and Authentication: Authentication is the process that requires a username and password to get in. Authorization is when the user can define a certain list of employees to get access to particular files and folders. 

Data Backup is the most exceptional thing with clouds which is as necessary as security. Backup is the indispensable thing when things like cyber-attack or natural disaster occur. Users can decide how often the data can be backed up. However, now cloud based services equipped themselves with automated backups and the user can decide the duration based upon monthly, daily or hourly. 

Who Can Use Cloud? 

Any business no matter how small or big they are! It can be a startup with 10 members or an enterprise with 1M users. Anyone can shift their business towards cloud. Thus, cloud has a fantastic Pay-as-you-go feature, one needs to pay exactly for the services and space they utilized. 

Cloud Service providers keep on enhancing their features and services, but most business people are not aware of it. For instance, AWS itself has more than 200+ features. By choosing the right features and services for your business scale you can effectively make use of cloud as well as the cost also get optimized. It’s always best to have AWS managed services on your side to take care of your data and the cloud engineers provide solutions for your business needs. 

Benefits Of Cloud Storage 

• Off-site management: Off-site management lets you free from things like procurement, infrastructure and maintenance 
• Fast Implementation: Cloud incorporates cloud service accelerators with that one can utilize the features and functionalities within days or hours 
• Cost Effectiveness: No cross option that cloud storage is cost effective. The vast amount of money has been saved from virtual servers 
• Scalability: Cloud is very flexible! you can add as much data as you want in the cloud. 

Conclusion 

The most vigorous nightmare for any business person is Losing of data and thus cloud computing emerges as the highly advanced technology that opens all the possible doors of safeguarding data and gives makes entrepreneurs less worried about their data! Whatever comes and goes cloud technology will stand as a frontier in this era! Hope for the best!