I Saw My Website Files Floating in a Cloud: Why I Can Breathe Easy — inmotionhosting.com

For those who don’t know how it works, cloud website backup can seem like a scary option: all of your important data and files, floating around. Out there. But website backup couldn’t be more important – and backing up to the cloud is a viable, and reliable, option. In fact, we recommend that all of our clients back up to the cloud . . . and to their server. Why? Because saving your data to multiple locations can help ensure its safety and security. If one backup fails, you’ll always have another to fall back on. Here’s what you need to know about both local and cloud storage, and how they work hand-in-hand: What is local storage? Local storage means saving your website backup to an external hard drive, straight from your computer. It’s a convenient option for many, but it offers several other benefits as well: Easy backup When it comes to running backups, there aren’t many solutions that are easier than using an external hard drive. In most cases, you can simply plug in the drive and backup will begin automatically. It requires almost no effort on your part. Unlimited storage Hard drives are usually measured in terabytes (more than 1,000 gigabytes) – far more capacity than you’ll receive with most cloud storage solutions. And at around $60 a pop, it’s reasonably cheap to buy a new hard drive if you ever happen to run out of space. Data safety Unless someone breaks into your home and physically steals your external hard drive, there is no way your backup can be compromised or hacked. This is a claim that no online backup solution can make. Offline access With an external hard drive, you can rest easy knowing that you have access to your website backups anytime and anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your home computer or if you have access to the internet – you can plug your drive into any device and retrieve the information held on it. What is cloud storage? Many people find the concept of the ‘cloud’ confusing. Where exactly does your data go? Is it just floating around out there on the internet where anyone can access it? In reality, cloud website backup means that your data is stored on multiple physical servers, potentially located all around the world. Here are some of the benefits: Access your data from anywhere Like a hard drive, cloud storage allows you to access your back up from anywhere. The caveat? You have to be on a device that can connect to the internet. Still, in today’s world, it’s not difficult to find a café or coffee shop that offers fast and easy internet access, no matter where you are. Easy sharability What do you do when you have a large file or folder that you want to share with a coworker or friend? If you upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox, you’re already using cloud storage, and you know how easy it can be. Low price point Many cloud storage solutions, like Dropbox, are free for a limited amount of data. For the average user, it’s typically more than enough to store a few backups. If you have a very large website or one that updates frequently, and you require backups more often, you may need to bump up to a paid plan – but even those are very reasonably priced. The best of both worlds Today, many hard drives come with a cloud website backup component built-in. That means that your data will not only be saved locally but can be accessed from the internet, no matter where you are. Our suggestion is to take advantage of both solutions. By keeping your backups in multiple locations, you can breathe easy knowing that your data is safe. Related

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