4 interesting cloud storage trends to watch for in 2022

Cloud storage. It’s not particularly exciting but it is one of the oldest and most useful cloud computing services out there. Storing files in the cloud to make them easily accessible and shareable from anywhere was ground breaking and transformative.

It’s estimated that in 2021, 50% of all company data was stored in the cloud. That’s an increase of 15% in just five years. With today’s hybrid working structure, colleagues may be hundreds or thousands of miles away from their co-workers. That means it’s important to centrally locate files in cloud systems that can be accessed by everyone.

As advances like AI and automation come to cloud services such as team communications, cloud storage is seeing some love too. The industry continues to evolve to make storing data in the cloud less complex, more reliable and better secured. We thought we take a look at the innovations you can expect to see in the cloud storage market this year.

1. BUILT-IN RANSOMWARE DEFENSES

Ransomware can impact data no matter where it is stored. Whether on a computer, server or in a cloud storage platform, malware can encrypt the information and make it unreadable to the business that owns it.

In 2021, the average ransomware payment increased by 82% and ransomware incidents rose 64% during the first half of the year. A survey of CISOs found that over the last 18 months, 98% of organisations 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. Some will also keep a separate secure copy of files, so files can be restored at the click of a button.

With ransomware showing no sign of stopping, this is a welcome addition to 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 times when accessing or searching for files. They achieve this by delivering your content 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 mobile text messaging apps now predict (with varying results!) what you might type to help you fill in the blanks and type faster. Programs like Photoshop can accurately identify a person and crop around them automatically using AI.

AI is also going to become more prevalent in cloud storage this year. You can expect help with automatic organisation 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.

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 be paying for more storage than you need, nor do you want to end up running out of space because you opted for too cheap an option.

It pays to keep on top of new offerings and understand that every new cloud storage option might not be a fit for your organisation’s specific data storage needs.

GET HELP OPTIMIZING YOUR CLOUD STORAGE & BACKUP ENVIRONMENT

Your business data is what runs your company, and it needs to be stored securely and in a way that’s accessible.

IT Foundations works with Microsoft SharePoint as our preferred cloud storage provider, as well as third-party cloud backup solutions. These combine to provide dynamic, secure and simple access to all your data.

Find out how we can help you optimise your cloud storage to improve cost efficiency by contacting us today.

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.