May 20th, 2014 -- Cloud storage is the buzzword of the day. Everywhere you turn, someone is offering you large amount of free storage. I remembered somewhere in my past I was told that nothing in life is for free!
. Pros
One of the challenges computer dependent individuals and companies face, is keeping up with security updates, installation of new versions of their products and remembering to backup before the day is over.
With cloud based software and storage, these are no longer concerns. All you have to do is to turn on your computer, tablet or smartphone from anywhere in the world, access your account and you are now working on the latest version of your programs.
Web based programs now called Cloud computing has been around for a long time. Your Gmail, Yahoo and Google accounts are all cloud based. Now we have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest and YouTube, which are all web based.
Your website is also cloud based. It is a lot more cost effective to have your website cloud based than trying to host it and maintain it internally.
Another advantage of cloud computing is that all files, videos and images are stored in the cloud (on someone else’s server). You can virtually work with a small internal storage because, the bulk of your data are somewhere else.
The cost of hiring someone or a team to maintain your internal storage and to do all those upgrades and security monitoring can be very expensive.
There is no major upfront financial investment. You can select what you really need now and expand whenever necessary. Very cost effective.
The most important benefit of cloud computing is the 24/7 tech support which give you access to some of the greatest minds in the technology world. 24/7 should be a vital part of any cloud based agreement.
. Cons
It is somewhat insane for us to even think of taking our data compact hard drive out of our computers and turning it over for someone external to secure and protect for us.
It was a daily warning from the internet gurus; do not even give your real name online. Be very careful of what we say and do online, then came the disruptive social media that changed all of that by making us become more social and open to strangers and friends online.
Cybercrime is the other buzzword that is being kept under the rug. Identity theft and user name and password to your vital documents and trade secrets are vulnerable to young hackers who can penetrate Fort Knox. They are making Houdini, the world greatest escape artist looks like child play.
The US, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, German and Australian companies are some of the players fighting and competing viciously for each other’s trade secrets and know how.
Here is the five million dollar question: how do you know that one of those 20G free storage is not a front for one of the major players who is scanning your online documents for whatever secrets that can get?
What happens during a financial emergency where you cannot pay your monthly fee? Are you locked out from accessing the documents and products you need in order to earn to pay your bills?
It is so easy and cost effective to integrate and sync your products and services in the cloud without thinking about the cost to expand the basic service to a more robust system. It is also very difficult and can be costly to move your entire system from one cloud based company to another.
Over the years, you have tweaked and upgraded your server or SAS system and moving to a new company without remembering all those changes, could lead to some transition nightmare.
Social media has become the double-edge-sword. It has revolutionized and disrupted the marketing and communication industries forever. It has been a blessing for many and a nightmare for others. A few researches show that at least 5-6% of all online profiles are fake and 97% of the imposters identify themselves as female. With Facebook having over 1 Billion people, then, based on the percentage, at least 80 million are fake profiles. Employers on the other hand, are now searching the various Social Medias to keep a tab on their employees and to gain vital information before attending meetings or doing a job interview.
. Summary
Cloud computing is here to stay. The fear and concerns that we have today will be a normal part of our future digital generation. In the same way we able to move from the typewriter, to the computer, then the cell phone and now the tablets and smartphones, our digital generation will adapt seamlessly to all the challenges that a digital world brings.
I encourage each one of you to embrace our digital business world by making sure you have done your homework as to what is needed to protect your data, videos and trade secrets while doing business in the cloud.
We at eSocialReports highly recommend that you learn about the various types of encryptions and select the best one to protect your files, and trade secrets online.
Do your research about any FREE Storage you plan to accept. Make sure your team has developed an exit strategy in case you need to move from one provider to another due to security reasons, better products and service or cost savings.
Another: eSocialReports™
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