Where Are My Files? A Small Business Executive's Concerns About Cloud Storage

The Cloud is awesome! Specifically, cloud storage is amazing. 

Think about it - we can store our files, reports, pictures, and just about anything we want "in the cloud." The manufacturers and cloud storage providers make it SO easy. You just upload/copy the data to whichever cloud storage provider you want, and you can access it from your phone, computer, laptop, or tablet from almost anywhere with an Internet connection. 

Almost everyone has files stored in the Cloud - maybe even in two or three different spots.

Turns out, there are over 30 Cloud storage providers that offer cloud storage space for free, or for just a few dollars per month. You could literally never pay for cloud storage if you spread your files around the Internet and avoid bumping your head on the free limit! I know people who have files in Box, Dropbox, iCloud, Amazon, OneDrive, AND Google Drive.

That's great and all, but it poses some questions for business leaders and managers.

Where is my company data? How do I know who has access to what? How do I know if it's secure across all the different devices that could be used to access it?

Company data, and access to that data, has become an increasing concern. Security of data and corporate information has always been important. But now owners and managers don't know who has access to company data. Or even where the company data is!

Do you know where all employees are storing company files? How about backing up the data? Is it backed up in all of the places where it might be? 

Are employees using their personal Cloud storage? What if they move to another job or are terminated? How will you get that data back? How long will it be before you even know it's gone?

These are just a few of the interesting questions that come up when discussing Cloud storage. Some food for thought.

If organizing and protecting your company data is important, you may want to start a dialog with your IT department or Cloud storage vendor.

Marty

Related:  Tech Alert: 3 Commonly Overlooked Issues with the Cloud