Cloud Storage Trends to Watch For

The main cloud storage trends for businesses are built-in ransomware protection, more storage at the “edge” close to where data is created, AI that manages and protects data automatically, and traditional hardware vendors offering cloud-style subscriptions. For Philippine businesses, where data is stored also matters under the Data Privacy Act. 

As advances like automation and AI come to other types of cloud services. Cloud services like team communications and business apps, cloud storage is not being left behind. The industry also continues to evolve to make storing data in the cloudless complex, more reliable, and better secured.

In 2021, Approximately 50% of companies are storing all their data in the cloud. This is an increase of 15% from just five years earlier. With today’s hybrid teams that may be working from home and be hundreds or thousands of miles away from co-workers. It’s important to centrally locate files in cloud systems that may access by everyone.

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

No matter where you store the data, Ransomware may still have an impact on the data. Whether on a computer, server or in a cloud storage platform, this malware can encrypt the information and make it unreadable to the business that owns it.

In 2021, the average ransomware payment increased by 82%. Also, ransomware incidents rose 64% during the first half of the year. A survey of CISOs found that over the last 18 months, 98% of organizations suffered a cloud data breach.

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. Tested backups are also the core of any business continuity plan.

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

AI and machine learning are making just about every area of technology smarter. Microsoft Word and text message apps now predict what you might type to help you fill in the blanks and type faster. Programs like Photoshop can crop around a person in an image in seconds using AI.

AI is also going to become more prevalent in cloud storage this year. You can expect help with automatic organization of your files based on your cloud storage patterns. 

Look for features designed to eliminate manual or repetitive tasks to free up more time. This includes AI helping to automate things like provisioning, obtaining, and importing data (known as “ingesting”), managing data retention, and more.

Ask your provider where your data is stored; the Data Privacy Act still applies when data is stored overseas.

4. Legacy Vendors Begin Offering More Cloud Options

2022 is going to bring more cloud storage options coming from legacy technology providers. For example, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise recently introduced a new Data Services Cloud Console, and Dell Technologies just announced a new APEX multi-cloud design that it is working on to improve the cloud ecosystem.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the latest cloud storage trends? 

Built-in ransomware protection, edge storage, AI-driven data management, and hybrid cloud subscriptions from traditional vendors. 

Is cloud storage safe for business data? 

Yes, with strong access controls, MFA, encryption, and tested backups. 

Does the Data Privacy Act apply to cloud storage? 

Yes. Philippine businesses remain responsible for personal data even when it is stored with a cloud provider overseas. 

Optimize your cloud storage and backups 

CloudConsole designs secure cloud storage and backup setups for Philippine businesses with 24/7 IT support. Get a free quote. 

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This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.