Cloud Storage Debates
Cloud storage keeps your computer data off-site. Instead of storing documents on a local drive, individuals and companies save their files to an external "cloud" service, connecting to it over the Internet.
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Significance
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Cloud computing -- whether it's just storage or involves use of cloud-based applications -- is a move away from desktop computers that hold applications and data on local drives. You can access and use files stored in the cloud from any computer or device that connects to the cloud.
Considerations
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Some consumer services are free, or offer limited storage at no cost and charge for additional services. Users pay for fee-based cloud services as they use them rather than purchasing and maintaining hardware and software.
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Security
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Security and privacy are of concern with cloud storage, and tend to be the subject of debate in the industry and in government. Each user must weigh these issues. While cloud storage offers greater security in some ways, such as protecting work from fire or other emergencies in a home or office, it also poses the risk that confidential material will pass into the hands of others.
Reliability
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If a cloud service goes down, users lose access to their work during the outage. Some services offer ways for users to download work as a backup. For example, Gmail is a cloud-based email service, but offers users the ability to store email locally as well as in the cloud.
Portability
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Another issue that causes debate about cloud computing is the portability of data. Depending on the service and type of data, users may have problems moving work stored in the cloud to another service.
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References
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