Types of Cloud Storage: Cloud storage refers to the storage of online data in a cloud environment, which can include multiple connected computing resources. The term cloud to describe computing networks first came into common use in the 1990s, but it did not become popular until Amazon used it in 2006 to describe EC2.
Types of Cloud Storage
There are four general typea of cloud storage within cloud computing.
Personal cloud storage: This service is available to individuals through platforms such as Apple’s iCloud and Google Drive, through Gmail or Google Workspace. It is also known as mobile cloud storage. Personal cloud storage allows a user to access their data from any location and sync and share from multiple devices. Users can back up files in their personal cloud in addition to their primary method of computer storage.
Public cloud storage: This typically refers to storage as a service (STaaS) offered by cloud providers, where businesses rent public cloud space to store their software and application data. The cloud provider manages all of the hardware from their own data centers or virtual infrastructure. Different providers offer different kinds of data storage. One possible problem with public cloud storage is that providers may store the data in any location, which could cause high latency as data must travel farther across networks. Where data is stored can also raise compliance issues with regulations such as GDPR.
Private cloud storage: A private cloud is typically hosted on-premises in an organization’s physical location. Private cloud storage allows companies’ IT teams to manage the cloud and provides added security because they control all aspects of the network. Private cloud storage will have lower latency because the servers are right there, not hundreds or thousands of miles away. A few risks do come with having only a private cloud, though: backing up data can be more challenging, especially if it’s only hosted in one location. And disaster recovery is much more challenging to plan without multiple locations to store data.
Hybrid cloud storage: A hybrid cloud environment includes an organization’s private cloud storage and one or multiple public cloud environments. Because workloads can be deployed either in a distant public cloud or on the premises, hybrid cloud environments are often more flexible. Businesses can decide in which cloud to store their data depending on their needs. Hybrid cloud storage is a good option for businesses that need low-latency, on-premise data storage as well as storage for large amounts of data that they don’t use as frequently.
