Cloud backup vs. local backup is a common question when protecting data. Cloud backup involves utilizing an online storage system, like Dropbox or Google Drive, to store dominant files in the cloud. Local backup still mentions keeping files on an external hard drive or USB. Taking necessary precautions to secure your data and ensure it can be quickly recovered in the event of a catastrophe is predominant. This article will explain the advantages and disadvantages of backups and the distinct aspects to consider when deciding between cloud backup and local backup.
What is Cloud Backup?
Backing up your data or files to online storage is the process of cloud backup. When you back up your data to the cloud, remote servers store it, making it accessible and recoverable from anywhere at any time. This type of backup is known as an off-site backup because the data is stored remotely.
Advantages of Cloud Backup:
The high quality of infrastructure provided by modern cloud providers has made cloud backup a more widespread practice than ever before. While the benefits of cloud backup far outweigh the drawbacks, it is crucial to understand options to make the finest choice for your organization.
Less Expensive
Cloud backup is more cost-effective than local backups. A third-party cloud data backup can save you significant time and money in creating and managing an on-premises backup system. With no upfront costs for equipment, you only have to pay a service fee to the cloud provider for maintaining the servers and giving you access.
Increased Data Security
Cloud servers secure data using state-of-the-art security protocols and encryption technologies to ensure that the data remains safe, secure, and unaltered. With local backups, however, the security depends on a company’s in-house measures, which may need to be more robust to keep your data safe.
Disaster Recovery
Cloud-based backups are perfect for disaster recovery as they dispense a safe and secure environment to store data. Cloud-based backups can fastly recover your data in the event of a disaster instead of local backups, which might take days or weeks. Since they are stored off-site, cloud-based backups are not affected by any local disasters that may occur.
Seamless Management
Cloud-based backups deliver a convenient method to manage, monitor and backup your data. Cloud storage providers typically offer comprehensive management tools to quickly set up and manage your backups and view reports and logging activity. Cloud backup providers typically provide automated and scheduled backups that can be tailored to your specific requirements.
Disadvantages Of Cloud Backup:
During recovery or crunch time, certain aspects of cloud backup may be dominant depending on your internal processes and procedures. Due to the nature of cloud computing and data storage, certain drawbacks need to be considered:
Slow Backup and Recovery
Cloud backups can be vastly slow and tedious, depending on the size of your data. The time taken to upload your data to the cloud and download it back in the event of a disaster can be huge. Cloud-based backups are not immune to latency issues, which could further slow the process. Data corruption or loss is always risky, with slow jams and recovery times.
Network Dependency
Cloud backups can be vulnerable to network-related disruptions, such as power outages or slow internet speeds. If you don’t have a reliable internet connection at all times, your cloud backups could be compromised. The bandwidth allocated for cloud backups may be limited in specific geographic regions. Bandwidth charges could add up quickly if you need to transfer large amounts of data.
Less Control
When you utilise a cloud service provider, you are dominantly handing over control of your data to the provider. Having more control over your files’ storage and management would be best. Depending on the source policies, that could expose you to potential privacy or security risks. The provider may change its policies without warning, leaving you with no recourse.
Potential for Data Loss
Although cloud data backup is typically reliable and secure, there is still a possibility of losing your data due to hardware or software failures. The data stored in the cloud is vulnerable to theft, corruption or damage due to malicious attacks. If the provider remains in business, it is possible to recover your data.
What is Local Backup?
Local backup is backing up your data to a device at your premises. An external hard drive, network-attached storage (NAS) device or a secure off-site location can be used to store the data locally, which can then be retrieved without an internet connection. Local backups supply a fast and easy method to access your data in an emergency.
Advantages of Local Backup:
Cloud backup may be the more common option, but using local devices for backup still has perks. It is easy to manage local backups within the same physical environment. Here are some of the advantages of local backup:
On-Site Accessibility
Local backups provide fast and easy access to your data. You can retrieve the data as required without waiting for it to be downloaded from the cloud. You don’t have to depend on a third-party provider to import your data. Since local backups store data in a physical regional location, they are relatively more secure than cloud-based backups.
No Internet Dependency
Local backups don’t need an internet connection, so you don’t have to worry about network-related issues. That means your backups are not subject to the same latency issues experienced with cloud backups. You don’t have to worry about bandwidth charges or limited data transfer speeds. Further, local backups are not subject to the same privacy and security risks associated with cloud-based backups.
Faster Recover
Local backups are typically faster than cloud-based backups since the data is stored locally. Retrieving the data takes much less time when compared to cloud-based backups. That makes local backups ideal for quickly retrieving large amounts of data in a disaster. Local backups are more reliable and secure than cloud-based backups.
Back-Up on Multiple Devices
Backup data on multiple devices is a powerful method to ensure your data is always safe and accessible. You can use local backups to back up the same data set to multiple devices simultaneously. That ensures you can retrieve the data from another without hassle if one device fails. Using numerous devices to reduce the risk of data loss in the event of a disaster.
Disadvantages of Local Backup:
Similar to other legacy technologies, local backups have been surpassed by modern digital counterparts. Cloud servers and online backup services offer more advanced and efficient data protection methods, making local servers less popular for safeguarding important information. Here are some of the disadvantages of local backup:
Elevated Initial Cost
Local backups require physical hardware, like external hard drives or network-attached storage (NAS) devices. Due to limited longevity, these hardware components can be costly and require regular replacements. Depending on the number of devices, acquiring these components can be expensive. Maintaining and servicing these devices incurs additional costs.
Vulnerability to Ransomware
Local backup devices are vulnerable to ransomware attacks. Malicious actors can encrypt or delete the data if they access your local device. That can damage businesses relying on their data for operations and transactions. Unlike cloud backups, local backups don’t provide automated security measures to protect the data stored on them.
Useless During Local Disaster
Disasters like floods or fires render local backups useless since they are stored in the exact physical location of the data, causing the loss of all data on the local device, which cannot be recovered. In contrast, cloud backups are specifically designed for such situations, securely storing data in a remote location and allowing quick retrieval, even during a disaster.
Chances of Physical Damage
Local backups are prone to physical damage as they are stored in a physical location. Other risks include power outages and disk failure, leading to data loss. Furthermore, there is always the risk of theft or sabotage regarding physical storage devices. It’s dominant to ensure that local backups are stored safely and securely to protect against these risks.
Final Thoughts
Both cloud backup and local backup have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Local backups provide fast and secure data recovery, but it comes with a high initial cost, and there is always the chance of physical damage to the device. Cloud backups are more efficient and cost-effective but have less control and may be subject to privacy or security risks. It’s essential to understand the business’s data protection needs and decide on the best backup option depending on their requirements. It’s always a good idea to back up data on multiple devices for added security.
