Yes, You Do Still Need Offline Storage in 2023

External Hard Drive, magnetic tapes, Offline Storage, Ophtek, Optical Drives, USB Flash Drives, , , , ,
07
Mar 2023

Cloud storage continues to grab the headlines with all manner of head turning statistics, but this doesn’t mean that offline storage is now redundant.

Ease of access, scalability and high levels of security are just three of the many reasons why cloud storage has become the go to solution for data storage. As a result, in many people’s eyes, offline storage appears clunky and outdated in comparison. However, offline storage solutions – no matter how old fashioned – remain relevant to businesses in 2023. It’s simply a case of understanding why you should implement them into your storage schedules and the best ways to achieve this.

What is Offline Storage?

In its simplest terms, offline storage is data which is not connected to your network or accessible by the internet. Cloud storage solutions – including mainstream services such as Google Drive – all require one key element to grant access to their users: an internet connection. Therefore, a storage solution which isn’t accessible by the internet is classed as offline storage. Examples of offline storage options include:

  • External hard drives
  • USB flash drives
  • Optical media such as Blu-Ray and DVD
  • Magnetic tapes (still in use, but less popular compared to more modern solutions)

Why Do You Still Need Offline Storage?

The wonders of cloud storage may be cutting edge and deal with an old problem in a new way, but offline storage remains crucial for the following reasons:

  • Multiple backups are critical: relying on a single data storage solution is a recipe for disaster. Say, for example, your cloud storage provider is hacked and all your data is encrypted or, worse yet, wiped from the servers, this is going to cause you major continuity issues if this is your only backup. However, with offline storage options in the background, you are significantly reducing the risk of your productivity dropping to zero. The 3-2-1 backup method is the best approach to adopt and could save your organization.

Final Thoughts

Cloud storage is clearly an exciting and effective option when it comes to data storage in 2023, but it should not be considered the only option. Instead, it’s vital that businesses understand that a multiple backup approach, which utilizes both online and offline storage, is the surest way to keep data safe.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best Data Storage Options for Your Organization

Cloud, Data Storage, Direct Attached, Network Attached, Offline Storage, Online Storage, , , , ,
24
Apr 2018

 

Data is getting increasingly bigger and, while this allows us to analyze data more effectively, it’s also putting a major strain on our storage.

And that’s why so many organizations are looking to improve their storage options. After all, data is crucial for your organization to operate and remain competitive e.g. storing customer details and monitoring their purchasing history etc. Naturally, data storage has become a huge industry, so the options available for storing data have multiplied significantly.

Understanding which option is best for you, however, isn’t always straightforward. Therefore, to help you get started, we’re going to take a look at the best data storage options for your organization.

  1. Network Attached Storage

Network attached storage (NAS) allows large amounts of data to be stored in a central point which can be easily shared across an entire network. The most common form of NAS is an external hard drive which comes complete with Ethernet ports or built in WiFi. These devices can easily be integrated into your network and, with capacities now exceeding 4TB, can store huge amounts of data.

  1. Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is the new kid on the block when it comes to data storage and is being readily adopted by organizations. With cloud networks managed by third parties and all hardware being kept in central hub offsite, cloud storage allows your organization to save physical space while providing quick access to your data. An added bonus of cloud storage is that it provides amazing accessibility when it comes to accessing your data. Not only can your in-house staff access data immediately, but remote workers can log on to the cloud network from anywhere with an internet connection.

Accessibility is vital when it comes to sharing data, so many online services have sprung up which allow you to store and share data securely. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft Drive grant you a set amount of space online to upload data and provide sharing links to colleagues and clients. While the initial (and free) storage space is limited, it provides a useful option for storing small sets of data online which take the strain off your internal storage capacities.

  1. Direct Attached Storage

Direct Attached Storage (DAS) devices are, as their name suggests, a form of storage which attaches directly to a computer. The most well-known forms of DAS are external hard drives and thumb drives. Capable of holding large amounts of data, DAS devices provide a useful storage option for new businesses that are looking to minimize storage costs, but not run out of space for their data.

  1. Offline Storage

Data is certainly getting bigger, but one of the oldest forms of data storage still has a place in modern business. Offline storage has been around for decades and involves using optical discs such as CDs and Blu-Rays to archive important data. And, although the data is not immediately available as it is with more modern storage options, offline storage is incredibly secure while also being available in the case of a network failure.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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