Cloud Storage vs Physical Media What you need to know!

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1 Cloud Storage vs Physical Media What you need to know!

2 What You Need to Know about Cloud and Physical Storage 3 Cloud Storage: 4 What is the cloud? 4 Cloud Storage Pros 5 Cloud Storage Cons 6 Physical Storage: 7 What is the physical media? 7 Physical Media Storage Pros 8 Physical Media Storage Cons 9 In Summary 10 About CDT 11 Contacts Us 11 Contents

3 What You Need to Know about Cloud and Physical Storage The entire world is on a cloud storage high and are rapidly transforming the way in which they store their critical business data. What do you need to know before you start moving your information over to the cloud. Are there disadvantages to cloud storage? Is it perhaps safer to use physical media to store your intellectual property? In this guide we provide the pros and cons of both cloud and physical media storage, providing you with the information you require to make a well-informed decision on your intellectual property storage requirements.

4 Cloud Storage: What is the cloud? Terms such as the cloud and virtualisation aren t the easiest terms to understand. How is it possible to store your information... in the clouds? It just doesn t make logical sense. The fact is, cloud storage isn t really in the cloud. Cloud storage still uses networks, servers and a hosting company with a rather large data centre. Cloud storage systems are accessed through web services such as the internet or a web-based user interface, where authorised users can log in and store, edit and remove files. In short, cloud storage is an off-site storage system managed by a third party.

5 Cloud Storage Pros There are several benefits to storing your intellectual property and critical business data in the cloud, these are as follows: Companies don t need to purchase their own server racks and install these on their own premises, saving money and office space. You only need to pay for what you use. Very similar to those car insurance adverts that claim you only pay for when you drive ; it s the same thing with the cloud. Software upgrades, back-ups, data replication and purchasing additional storage are no longer your issue. With cloud storage your hosting provider manages all of this for you. You can easily expand on your storage requirements as and when you need them.

6 Cloud Storage Cons Although hosting companies say that they guarantee the security of your data, there have been many global hacking incidents recently. If your hosting company experiences downtime on their servers, you may not be able to access your critical business data when you need it. Whilst the idea of accessing your stored information from wherever you are may sound very tempting, you need to keep in mind that this depends on your internet connection. Bad connection = limited or no access to information. You don t have ultimate control over your data, because your information is hosted on the internet, it is susceptible to viruses and hackers and other internet threats which may lead to data compromise and loss.

7 Physical Storage: What is the physical media? Physical media storage are the physical devices onto which you physically store information and data. These are DVDs, CDs, flash drives, external hard drives and so forth. They are the storage devices where you can transfer your information to and place it somewhere for safe keeping.

8 Physical Media Storage Pros You have absolute control over your critical business data you store on physical media, whether you keep it on your person or store it in a room; a compact disc isn t going to experience downtime. You have simple accessibility to your data whenever you need it. Just take the disc and put it into your computer and you re ready to go. No software upgrades are required, and companies can hire duplication companies to transfer their data to physical media storage for them. You can easily purchase more physical media storage as you require it for safeguarding.

9 Physical Media Storage Cons Physical media storage devices can sometimes experience incorrect duplication of data, resulting in corrupt files that are inaccessible. Physical media storage is kept very local, you may decide to store them in your company s storage room, but you may risk information loss in the event of a fire. Duplicating your information onto physical media storage devices can take up enormous amounts of time, but there are companies that do this for you. Using a duplication company to transfer your data to physical media storage can be risky if the duplication company is not certified or accredited and your data can be compromised.

10 In Summary Both cloud and physical media storage have their advantages and disadvantages on security and loss threats, as well as accessibility. What is advised for companies is that they understand the type of information and data that they want to store, and weigh up whether they can risk it being compromised, and what type of risk would be worst fire or hacking. For instance, financial and confidential documents may be more secure stored on physical storage devices such as DVDs and CDs due to the lack of compromising threats such as hackers. For extra security and back-up in the event of physical media loss, companies can choose to store additional physical media in another location. For business data that is required on a daily basis by many different employees at the same time, cloud storage may be the answer. This information is more than likely not highly confidential and compromising to the integrity of the organisation and will be of less use to hackers in the event that they get their hands on it. STORAGE

11 About CDT CDT is the largest independent manufacturer of digital discs in Africa, and our customers have come to expect excellent service and products along with the highest levels of security and professionalism. We pride ourselves on meeting and exceeding international standards for superior quality CD and DVD replication, duplicaiton, authoring, printing and packaging. Whether our clients require digitisation of financial reports, educational aids, promotional items or the release of the next top 40 hit, CDT has the complete solution for you! We supply a wide range of clients from large corporates, advertising and promotional agencies and the music industry (including individual musicians) to government healthcare institutions and universities. CDT has built an enviable reputation for world class digital disc solutions. Contacts Us For any further information please contact us at: Website: sales@cdt.co.za Telephone: Physical Address: Unit E Lanzerac Estate, Old Pretoria Road, Midrand, South Africa Postal Address: PO Box 3495, South Africa