Cloud storage is a popular component of cloud computing that isn't always as flashy as the software side. One of the very first uses of the cloud that was widely adopted by many people was storing data in the cloud to make them instantly accessible and shareable from anywhere.
Cloud storage is not being left behind as improvements in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) reach other types of cloud services such as team messaging and business apps. The industry is also evolving to make cloud data storage less difficult, more reliable, and more secure.
What can you expect to see in the cloud storage market this year? Here are some of the most interesting trends to keep an eye on.
1.Built-in Ransomware Defenses
Data can be impacted by ransomware regardless of where it is stored. This malware can encrypt information and make it unreadable to the business that owns it, whether it is on a computer, server, or cloud storage platform.
During the first half of 2021, the average ransomware payment grew by 82 percent, while ransomware incidences surged by 64 percent. According to a CISO survey, 98 percent of enterprises experienced a cloud data breach in the previous 18 months.
To combat ransomware, you’ll begin seeing cloud storage services offering ransomware recovery protection. This involves sophisticated systems that can help prevent files from being encrypted by code as well as those that take a copy of files and store it securely away, so files can be restored at the click of a button.
With ransomware showing no sign of stopping, this is a welcome addition in the cloud storage arena.
2."The Edge" becomes more key in cloud storage
One of the new buzzwords of the last few years has been “Edge” or “Edge computing.” This means bringing data applications and storage resources geographically closer to the user that needs to connect to them.
As reliance on cloud storage and other cloud applications has increased, so has the need to improve response times from user to server. When data must travel across large distances, it becomes more difficult to quickly and economically deliver the best user experience. Thus, cloud service providers have been moving to an Edge computing model.
What this means for you is better reliability and faster response when accessing or searching on files because your provider is going to work to provide your service from one of the company’s cloud servers that is geographically closer to your location.
For companies with offices spread out around a country or throughout the world, this means that you’ll want to keep service location in mind when signing up for cloud storage and have a discussion with the provider about distance and how Edge computing factors in.
3. Expect more help from AI and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are making nearly every aspect of technology smarter. Microsoft Word and text message apps now estimate what you could enter to assist you in filling in the spaces and typing faster. Using AI, programs like Photoshop can crop around a person in an image in seconds.
This year will also see an increase in the use of AI in cloud storage. You can expect assistance with automatic file organizing depending on your cloud storage behaviors.
To save time, look for features that reduce manual or repetitive chores. AI can assist in automating tasks like as provisioning, getting and importing data (known as "ingesting"), monitoring data retention, and more.
4. Legacy vendors begin offering more cloud options
More cloud storage options mean you may need more help deciding which model will work best for you, as pricing will vary widely. You don’t want to end up with more storage than you need or be paying a lot for a smaller amount of space.
It pays to keep on top of new offerings and understand that every new cloud storage option might not be a fit for your organization’s specific data storage needs.
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