Cloud computing has changed the way people go about their daily lives in ways that they aren’t even aware of. There are lots of benefits to cloud computing for even the average user, although there can be a few drawbacks too.
There are a range of benefits of cloud computing, the most useful benefit is accessibility. Cloud computing means that you can access much of your data from wherever you are in the world with an internet connection. This data can include data that is not necessarily data that has been created by yourself, such as the ability to listen to music or stream videos.
This accessibility of data has generally meant that the cost of having these kinds of services is much lower than it would have been otherwise, for example, subscription services to media are far cheaper than purchasing the individual media material in a physical form.
Cloud computing services are also generally kept up to date much more frequently and seamlessly than previously. This provides a great degree of convenience to the individual, rather than having to run manual updates. This level of automated updates also means that the data is more robust, future-proof, and generally more secure too.
As people’s requirements for data storage grow, cloud computing allows for scalability in a much easier way. The idea of requiring physical components to be upgraded to allow for more data storage is done away with, and again, usually for a fraction of the cost, the storage can be increased simply with minimal effort.
Similarly, the data that is kept in the cloud is usually less fragile. Many cloud computing providers have backups of their systems, meaning that your information and their services are more available.
However, with cloud computing being an intangible service, there can be potential drawbacks that people should consider. The most obvious of these would be the dependency of services on a live internet connection. Connections need to be of a decent speed, and secure. There are still many parts of the world, where this is not a given.
As with many subscription-style services, the cost of cloud computing can add up over time. The costs that were initially savings by reducing the initial outlay, can soon exceed the value to the customer. This is something to be mindful of at the outset, as well as reviewing regularly.
Many cloud computing services are just that, services that are provided to consumers, and as such, people may find some of the services restrictive as they become more familiar with them. This lack of control over the infrastructure may pose a problem to some people.
Along the same path as being scalable, cloud computing generally means that the extra storage space is utilised less discriminatively. Large bits of data, and more of it, means that accessing that data can take longer and be more laborious than using physical storage.
Having more and more information in cloud services, also means that should something go wrong with the security of that data, it becomes much more easily available, to more people, and in a shorter time frame than traditional data storage. Overall, cloud computing and cloud storage offer great advances in how people can live their day-to-day lives, however, people should be aware of the downsides and risks it may pose. A lot of these risks can be mitigated by changing the way individuals use the cloud.
