Is It Necessary to Back Up Your Data Stored in Cloud?

With cloud technologies developing constantly, many users start preferring to store data to cloud. Then, you may wonder whether it is necessary to back up the cloud data. This article will focus on this issue to have a discussion.

Many users think that their data stored in the cloud is unable to be corrupted or lost in that the data is immune from all the on-site events. Hence, they think, it is not necessary to back up the cloud data. Is this idea right? Thereinafter, we’ll tell you the answer.

Public Cloud

As we all know, there are a lot of cloud services available in today’s market. Such cloud services belong to public cloud. It means that the cloud is controlled by the service providers actually, instead of oneself. Such kind of cloud has the following risks.

1. Cyber Attacks: Now that cloud is virtually controlled by the service provider, the security of your cloud data cannot be guaranteed. Also, due to the cloud’s publicity, senior cyber hackers can attack and even destroy the cloud data
2. Human Errors: Although your data is stored in cloud, you still can manage it in the local application. Therefore, you still can make some mistakes on your cloud data, such as accidentally deleting files.
3. Server Damage: Multiple users mistakenly think that their data is stored in cloud, without involving physical local machines. It is a totally wrong idea. As a matter of fact, the data is stored in the local servers of the service providers. So, the local servers are also in the risk of crashes, physical damage, etc. If the servers get corrupt, the data can be compromised too, like corrupt PST

Private Cloud

Aside from the public cloud provided by third party vendors, users can build the personal cloud via Network Attached Storage (NAS). You can add hard drives to a NAS device, and then connect the device to internet to share data via network. In this way, the cloud is completely controlled by you. Yet, it still has its own flaws.

1. On-site Disasters: Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is usually placed in your office or home. Once disasters, such as flood or fire, strike the office or home, the device will be corrupt. And your data will suffer as well.
2. User Mistakes: Similar to the public cloud, human errors are inevitable, too. You may accidentally format the hard drive in the NAS or delete any files. So, if you are not careful enough, your data is not 100% protected, either.

In a nutshell, no matter you store your data in public or private cloud, the data is not 100% safe. Therefore, it is still essential to back up the cloud data.

Author Introduction:

Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including mdf recovery and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com