Cloud Hosting: a reputation worth defending

Opting to take advantage of the cloud enables companies to access data from almost any location and saves both time and money. Due in part to recent scandals, including the 2013 NSA revelations by Edward Snowden as well as recent leaks involving Hollywood Stars, the image of cloud hosting has taken a bit of a hit as of late. Understandably, many users often wonder whether or not their data remains in safe hands. Despite all of this, few people truly understand what terms like ‘the cloud’, ‘cloud hosting’ or ‘cloud computing’ actually mean.

Essentially there are two ways to approach using the cloud. One method entails the use of streaming or external storage services such as Amazon Prime or Dropbox. With these options, the client purchases access to either external storage space or pre-stored data such as music or TV. In this scenario, the customer is not directly involved in the hosting process. A different scenario, however, arises when the customer wishes to directly employ the use of cloud hosting services. In this case, the provider supplies the client with a cloud server that can then be customized to suit the individual IT demands of the customer. When used in this way, it does not matter if the cloud is being used to host a website or an online shop. The server can also be used for administration needs or for the shared use of various applications.

The strength of the cloud hosting lies it its ability to function independently of hardware. In contrast to traditional forms of hosting, computer processes in the cloud can be filtered through central software and directed towards appropriate hardware. When faced with technical problems, hardware and other equipment can be comfortably replaced without having to worry about problems with servers or websites.

Despite being wireless, cloud hosting services are not completely immune to run-ins with technical problems. What cloud hosting does offer, however, is the ability on the part of the user to redefine the use of the desired performance without having to completely exchange a server. At their own discretion, users are able to scale down processing power as well as work and hard drive storage. Usage fees follow a pay-as-you-go system and are calculated based on use measured by the second, minute, or hour.

It is precisely this pay-as-you go feature that makes using the cloud so affordable and cost-effective, and unlike almost any other available server solution. This flexibility can save on cost by eliminating the need to purchase a larger server; usage capacity can be increased as needed. Operators of online stores for seasonal goods, such as winter clothing, do not need to worry about payment during the spring and summer months. In times of low business activity, desired services can simply be scaled back, thus keeping expenses to a minimum.

When searching for different options for cloud hosting, one is bound to run into the term ‘cloud computing’. Put simply, cloud hosting is a subset of a broader field that is most commonly referred to as ‘cloud computing’. The options that cloud computing offers extend wide beyond those of a typical server. So what exactly is cloud computing? What are its advantages?

Some of the key differences of the various service models for cloud computing are laid out here:

1. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): Through the cloud, the user is given access to virtual hardware resources such as computers, networks, or storage space. The supplied software can be used as desired. Installation and maintenance, however, remains the responsibility of the customer.
2. Platform as a Service (Paas): The service provider supplies the user with a software environment in the form of a framework (a form of virtual scaffolding of sorts) and proceeds to provide maintenance for this structure. The user can develop and carry out their own applications on this platform.
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): This is often considered to be the “top level” of cloud computing. The user is able to access a provided software, such as Office applications, and is spared the burden of having deal with updates and functionality issues.

When assessing the safety of stored data in the cloud, there are two important aspects to take into account: the location of the server and the location of the contracted service provider’s legal headquarters. Servers of cloud service providers fall under the same legal jurisdiction of the country in which they are registered. This means that companies that are registered in the United States, for example, are beholden to the American legal system, even if the actual server is located in Europe.  This is important because much regional variation exists among clouds services. For instance, American data protection laws are generally considered to be less stringent than those in Germany. In order to provide the maximum security for their data, potential customers should carefully look into important legal matters before deciding to enter into a contract with a provider. For this reason, IONOS allows the customer to freely choose between different locations for their data centers (Germany, Europe, USA).

While the threat of security breaches should not be ignored when considering the use of cloud hosting services, other, more traditional servers, can also be lacking on this front. The advantages of cloud computing are numerous, and considering that cloud servers are most often operated through the internet, access to data is theoretically possible almost anywhere in the world. Whether commuting by rail or just waiting at the airport, users have the flexibility to choose between working on company projects or just streaming music and videos when on the go. No matter what the purpose for your storage may be, data is always maintained according to the highest industry standards; internet access remains the only prerequisite for use. Should the need of extra applications, computing capacity, or storage arise, these additional demands can be met simply by contacting the provider.

Cloud servers are tailored to specific hardware and hence carry with them a low risk of breakdown. For this reason they are particularly well suited for hosting websites or online stores that rely on high volumes of traffic to suit their numerous clientele. The greatest advantage cloud hosting offers, however, is its unique pricing model.
Unlike typical service solutions, users do not have to fret about fixed monthly rates, and instead are afforded the benefit of only having to pay the true amount of data they have used.