Data storage is such an important process for businesses as there are major consequences if files are lost or cyber security is breached. There have been some major data losses in the last few years which have seen the reputations of companies heavily affected and left their customers at serious risk of having their personal information compromised. There are so many different ways to store data now and the industry is constantly evolving to deliver safer and more accessible storage options. It is vital that every business assesses each and every option to decide which is best for them and their customers.
To help businesses make the right choice, here are the 7 best ways to store your business data.
1. Cloud Storage
Cloud storage has emerged as the number one way for businesses to store all of their files, folders and other important data. Online cloud storage facilities can now store as much as an exabyte of data, and if that is a totally new term to you, you can click here to see just how big that is. Cloud storage enables your business to store all of its data in one place with the best possible security to ensure its safety. The data is also accessible at any time by anyone who has a stable internet connection and the necessary authority to access it. This is ideal because you can share files and data with colleagues, employees or business partners without having to send it via email or some other risky means.
2. Solid State Drives
Solid state drives, or SSDs, are the new generation of hard drives which have been developed to replace the traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). While SSDs work very similar to HDDs, they have some major advantages. SSDs enable computers to boot up faster, apps and software to work quicker, all while storing a huge amount of data. The main disadvantage of SSDs previously was that they were comparatively much more expensive than HDDs, but the prices have now come down and you can purchase a 2TB model for $300.
3. External Hard Drives
The predecessor to SSDs, a traditional hard disk drive is still an excellent storage option for many businesses. All computers come fitted with an HDD of varying sizes, but when there just isn’t enough capacity, you can input an external HDD to expand your computer’s storage. External hard drives plug into a standard USB drive and enable your employees to access files on multiple computers.
4. USB Sticks
USB sticks are essentially mini external hard drives which usually have storage capacities of just a few gigabytes but they are very useful little gadgets for storing and transporting data. Most students and business people these days have at least one USB stick so they can take work home or use it on other computers. USB sticks are small and light and can be slipped into a pocket or attached to a keychain so they are the ultimate in portable data storage.
5. On-System Storage
One very simple way of storing your business’s data is to keep it all on your business computers’ systems. While this is very convenient as it makes the files instantly accessible, it also leaves them at jeopardy of cyber attacks unless you have really top notch cyber security systems installed. Having a lot of data can also slow down your computers significantly so it is usually not the best way to store anything but the most immediately necessary documents.
6. SD Cards
As well as USB ports, some computers have an SD slot, so this enables you to store your business data on an SD card and plug it into your computer when you need it. SD cards usually have storage capacities similar to USB sticks but USB sticks are significantly cheaper and faster. One benefit of SD cards is that you can plug them into other gadgets like cameras and some smart phones and access files through these devices.
7. Filing Cabinets
There is no business storage guide which is worth its weight without mention of the good, old-fashioned filing cabinet. While the days of whole storage rooms being piled floor to ceiling with cabinets full of files may be over, there is always use for one small cabinet in an office containing important documents which are used on a daily basis.
Choosing the right data storage option is a massive decision for every business. Cloud data storage is now the safest option for all businesses as it is ultra-secure and provides enormous storage facilities. Look at the different cloud options available and start securing your business’s data today.