A Beginner's Guide to the 7 Types of Cloud Storage
In 2024, cloud infrastructure service revenues climbed to $330 billion, demonstrating its growing importance for personal, business, and enterprise use.
That being said, there are many types of cloud storage, and not all of them are the same and not all of them will suit your needs. Some cloud services can be too complex, costly, or lack the needed features to run your business efficiently.
So, if you’re interested in learning more about all the types of cloud storage available or if you need a new cloud storage solution or infrastructure, this article will explain how these types of cloud storage work so you can decide which is right for you.
The 7 types of cloud storage explained
These are the different types of cloud storage available to meet personal, business, or enterprise needs.
Alongside an explanation of how they work, we will also explain the advantages, disadvantages, and who can benefit from each of these types of cloud storage.
Public
Public cloud storage provides storage, servers, and applications over the internet by a third-party provider. Public cloud resources are hosted, owned, and maintained by the provider in data centers and shared with other users (tenants). The tenants use the same infrastructure while keeping their data separate and secure.
The types of cloud storage related to the public cloud include:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS provides virtual machines, storage, and networking. Popular platforms that offer IaaS are Amazon Web Services, IBM, and Microsoft Azure.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers tools for developers to build and deploy applications without handling the underlying infrastructure.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications like cloud storage over the internet, such as Internxt Drive. Internxt provides cloud storage that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and a VPN and Antivirus.
Who is it for?
- Public cloud storage is a popular and likely most common kind of cloud storage, and can be used if you have the following needs:
- Individuals needing a convenient and easy way to store, access, and share personal files from different devices.
- Businesses looking for storage solutions for multiple users from one cloud account or to manage large amounts of data without the cost and maintenance of physical servers.
- Remote workers who need a platform to access, share, and manage documents from anywhere and from any device.
- Developers and IT professionals can use public cloud storage for application hosting, different kinds of backups, and data management.
- Enterprises can also use a public cloud model to manage data, machine learning, or data analytics requiring high computing power.
Advantages of public cloud
- Public cloud offers great flexibility in its pricing structure, which you can scale to meet your needs. There are subscriptions, pay-as-you-go, or pay by GB, and other customizable ways to manage your subscription so you can choose the right option to fit your budget.
- Maintenance of the servers, software, and hardware is managed by the cloud provider, so businesses can manage their platform without paying for a huge team of cybersecurity specialists.
- Public cloud services run across multiple data centers, so if one center fails, other servers can take over, offering 99% uptime for businesses to prevent any losses.
- Data security and protection is provided with end-to-end encryption. For additional privacy, other cloud providers offer zero-knowledge encryption, so the keys are managed and owned on your device, and only you can access them.
- All you need to set up cloud storage is an internet connection; once your account is created, it may take a few hours to set up and add the features and users you need to your plan.
Disadvantages
- There is less configuration or control as the provider manages cybersecurity protocols.
- It may be difficult to switch providers due to proprietary technologies and data migration complexities.
Private
Private cloud storage is an on-premises cloud solution dedicated to a single organization managed in-house by the company.
This model offers higher control, security, and customization, so businesses with highly private and confidential data can choose this option to meet strict compliance requirements and higher protection against data breaches.
Who is it for?
This cloud storage model can benefit healthcare, legal, finance, government agencies, and any business with sensitive and private data.
Advantages of private cloud
- Security is handled in-house by a dedicated team to manage these protocols, reducing the risk of breaches and unauthorized access.
- A private cloud environment can be tailored to meet specific requirements and meet their storage and performance needs.
- Businesses can add and scale storage when required, and costs can be more predictable.
Disadvantages of private cloud
- Setting up a private cloud can be too expensive for smaller businesses.
- Managing a private cloud requires skilled IT staff for configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting, which can increase operational complexity and can lead to greater problems if not appropriately managed.
- Private clouds can have extra costs, such as energy consumption, that also need to be considered.
- Private cloud storage is a perfect solution for businesses with complex data needs and strict security requirements.
- Privacy-focused individuals with the right tech knowledge may also benefit from private cloud systems by self-hosting their cloud or investing in physical hardware.
Hybrid
Hybric cloud storage is one of the best types of cloud storage if you want the benefits of a private and public cloud, as data can be shared between both these models. A hybrid cloud model means storing sensitive data in a private cloud and less sensitive data in a public one.
Who is it for?
Large enterprises or businesses with storage needs can benefit from a hybrid cloud model as it combines privacy and the cost-efficiency and scalability of a public cloud model.
Advantages of hybrid cloud
- Helps industries meet compliance law with a private cloud model.
- Combines a full private storage model with a public, more affordable model to reduce costs.
- Businesses can choose where to store their data based on security needs, performance requirements, and when to access it.
- Disaster recovery options to ensure business continuity by extra data backup and recovery options.
Disadvantages of private cloud
- Complex management across private and public cloud environments can be challenging, requiring specialized knowledge to ensure smooth integration, security, and performance.
- Integration challenges can be complex and require additional tools and resources, increasing overall costs.
Community
Community cloud storage is a shared cloud infrastructure within several organizations such as healthcare, government, or finance using the community cloud to store and manage data.
The community can manage community cloud storage or third-party providers, and it’s a way for organizations to save money and meet data storage and security needs.
Who’s it for?
Governments, education, NGOs, and any industry must meet compliance and store and share data privately.
Advantages of community storage
- Cost efficiency by sharing resources, organizations can enjoy a reduced cost for storage without compromising security.
- Compliance and security with regulators such as HIPPA.
- Collaboration between different departments or industries is easier for the community.
Disadvantages of community storage
- Limited control is one advantage of these types of cloud storage, as the shared model means there is less control over data than in a private cloud.
- Increased security risks may occur if the proper access controls and security protocols are not implemented.
- Depending on the community, performance or security issues in one community could spread to the others.
Object storage
Object storage is a method of storing data where files are saved as individual "objects." Each object contains the data, metadata, and a unique identifier, making it easier to locate and retrieve.
Object storage uses a flat structure, so data is accessed by its unique identifier, which makes it easier to scale, manage, and access large amounts of data.
Who is it for?
- Businesses or individuals who need to store large amounts of unstructured data access files, backups, or archives.
- Industries such as media and entertainment must manage large videos or images, so object storage is also well-suited.
- Object storage's flexibility and scalability can benefit developers working with apps that generate large amounts of data.
Advantages of object storage
- Easy access and retrieval as each object is accessed by its unique identifier.
- Object storage offers flexibility and speed for unstructured data, such as videos.
- Another advantage is cost efficiency, as many services offer payment plans that allow customers to pay only for the storage they use and need.
Disadvantages of object storage
- Object storage is better for large, unstructured data; storing many small files can lead to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.
- Hidden costs for data fees may also be included as an additional cost, which may not be in your company's budget.
- Due to the proprietary nature of the services, migrating to a different provider or system can be complex and costly.
Internxt offers S3 object storage with a fixed pay-as-you-go pricing model of €7/TB/month. Compared to AWS or Azure, Internxt S3 could save you up to 80% in comparison.
There are no additional charges for data transfer, and you can scale your storage to meet your company's needs in a budget-friendly way with Internxt's predictable and scalable S3 model.
File storage
File storage stores data in a hierarchical system organized in folders and subfolders. It is one of the types of cloud storage that works like a traditional computer’s file system.
Each file is stored with its name, extension, and location in the directory structure, making data easy to organize and retrieve.
Who is it for?
File storage is also ideal for users who prefer a familiar, easy-to-manage system for organizing and retrieving their data without dealing with more complex storage models.
Advantages of file storage
- Files can be organized and accessed simply from a hierarchical structure.
- It can be accessed from most devices and operating systems.
- File storage can include password protection and other password controls for added security.
Disadvantages of file storage
- File storage is less flexible for handling large and unstructured data than object or cloud storage solutions.
- As data grows, file storage can become challenging to manage and scale, especially when dealing with large volumes of files.
- Large amounts of data or multiple users accessing the system simultaneously may lead to slowdowns or delays in file retrieval.
Block storage
The last entry in the types of cloud storage is block storage. Unlike file storage, which organizes data in a hierarchy, block storage stores data in fixed-sized blocks, each acting as an individual data storage unit.
Who is it for?
Block storage is commonly used by enterprise-level organizations that run databases, virtual machines, or high-performance applications that need low-latency data access.
Advantages of block storage
- Block storage is ideal for low-latency data access applications, like databases or virtual machines.
- Can easily be scaled by adding more storage volumes so data growth is easier to manage.
- Data can be organized and controlled for easier management and optimal performance.
Disadvantages of block storage
- Block storage requires separate systems or software for backup, which can add complexity and lead to data loss if not set up correctly.
- Block storage doesn’t provide a built-in directory structure, meaning users must manage data organization themselves.
How to choose from the different types of cloud storage
Although there are many types of cloud storage to choose from, based on the specific needs of you, your team, business, or enterprise, one or two options will meet your requirements.
For object storage or personal use, Internxt Drive and Internxt S3 offer a GDPR cloud storage solution protected with zero-knowledge encryption for guaranteed privacy against data breaches.
If you require other types of cloud storage, investigate further into security, scalability, accessibility, and other features to ensure you get everything you need for your data management needs.