Where to Store Your Data: At Home or in the Cloud?

Figuring out where to store your data can be a difficult decision. There are an overwhelming number of technologies out there, and it is difficult to pinpoint what the right solution is - for both short term and long term needs. So... where to start?

Let’s say you want to store irreplaceable family photos and videos for the next digital generation. Or perhaps you need to save some important documents for years to come. Your two main choices are cloud storage or at-home storage (also called local or on-premise storage).

But which of these options is best for your needs? Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Storing Your Data in the Cloud

When you think of cloud storage, some big names might come to mind like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud. What these services have in common is that they offer public cloud storage, where your data lives on a large pool of servers managed by a third party.

Convenience and accessibility are some major advantages of cloud storage. You can easily access your data online, anytime and from anywhere - with an Internet connection. The cloud is incredibly simple to use, too: just upload your data and you’re done – no more relying on hard drives that are vulnerable to damage, loss, or crashing.

But there is a negative side to public cloud storage: you will always be at the mercy of the cloud storage provider. Less control on your part = more risk.

For instance, you may be unwittingly giving a mega-corporation deep access into your personal digital data. They ultimately have control over it and may even gain some ownership if you’re not careful. Plus there’s the ever-present cybersecurity risk. Major security breaches have happened, and unfortunately, no one’s data is 100% safe on a public cloud.

On top of that, there’s the possibility that you’ll lose access to your data through no fault of your own if the cloud crashes. (Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.)

So in light of these risks, you may want to consider at-home storage instead.

Offline Data Storage at Home

The most important benefit of at-home storage is increased privacy and security. Storing your files locally means you retain full control over your digital assets and the platform you’re using, at all times. You never have to turn over your personal digital data to a third party. This offers some incredible peace of mind, which may be a deciding factor for you.

However, you will also lose some convenience. It’s right in the name: “at-home” storage. You’ll only be able to access your data at home, or from wherever your storage device is located. No more convenient online access anytime, or on-the-go spontaneous uploads if you don’t have your storage device with you.

Plus you will always be vulnerable to the device itself: if it goes missing or gets stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you could lose your data forever. And when it comes to your precious memories and most valuable digital files, that’s the last thing you ever want to have happened.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose just cloud storage or local at-home storage – you can have the best of both worlds, all in one! Meet Amber, the world’s first all-in-one Smart Storage Platform using Personal Hybrid Cloud technology.

With Amber, you’ll no longer be stuck juggling various devices and cloud services trying to manage your data. Instead, you can enjoy the convenience of cloud storage along with the privacy and security of offline storage – all in a single platform!

So. . .how does it work?

Amber: The Best of Both Worlds

The award-winning Amber platform is basically your very own mini datacenter - with full encryption in the privacy of your own home coupled with the added convenience of a “cloud” infrastructure. The crucial difference? Our innovative Personal Hybrid Cloud technology means your data belongs solely to you. We’ve built our own cloud infrastructure - so your digital data is never shared with a third-party public cloud service; it’s always under your control, always private and always secure. To learn more, check out our previous article, Why Our Cloud is More Transparent.

With Amber, you can enjoy complete access to your digital files from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection – but also a true backup of all your data - and the ability to replay your memories easily through the intuitive Amber App on Mobile or Desktop.

That’s important! It’s not just a sync, it’s a full backup of your connected devices onto Amber. Unlike many other services that only provide syncing, you don’t have to worry about accidentally deleting photos from your camera roll and then losing them forever. With Amber’s one-way backup feature, your most precious data will stay safe and secure from the moment it’s saved onto your device.

In fact, when it comes to other cloud storage platforms like iCloud Photos, some users are so desperate for a true backup feature that they’d even be willing to pay for it on a subscription basis. That’s part of what makes Amber so great – it’s a one-time purchase without any monthly fees, plus free software upgrades for life! It is truly an investment, your future-self will thank you for.

And that’s not even mentioning all the other cutting-edge features we’ve built into Amber. For a detailed description, check out “How Amber’s AI Technology Works,” and explore the other tech features and specs that have brought us industry-wide recognition. (Hint: you’ll love the multi-user support, buffer-free streaming, and built-in router for blazing-fast WiFi).

If you want the smartest choice for an all-in-one connected storage solution, Bring Your Data Home with Amber today!