Using cloud storage, you can effortlessly and swiftly save your data. This service enables you to retrieve your files from any device that has an internet connection, without consuming storage on your computer or workplace. Additionally, it offers a reasonable degree of protection to safeguard your data.
Indeed, relying solely on clouds like Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, AWS, and so forth for all your data storage needs is not advisable. Instead, consider using them as supplementary options alongside local storage solutions or other backup methods.
As a data analyst with extensive experience dating back to 2017, I’ve consistently emphasized the importance of secure data storage. Regrettably, over the last eight years, the risks associated with it have remained unabated. This paradox arises despite the widespread adoption and popularity of cloud storage solutions.
In my observations by 2025, according to Threadgold Consulting, the user base of personal cloud storage had significantly grown to roughly 2.3 billion people, marking a substantial increase from about 1.1 billion users back in 2014.
Making such a vast leap to 1.2 billion new users might imply that not all of them have an alternative safety measure set up. Storing critical data solely in the cloud can be risky. Let me explain why this is problematic and offer suggestions for improvement.
With the addition of 1.2 billion new users, it’s possible that not everyone has a backup plan B in place. Over-reliance on cloud storage for crucial data can be potentially hazardous. I’ll clarify the reasons and suggest some strategies to mitigate this risk.
The risks of cloud storage — Lessons from recent data deletion stories
In the past few weeks, numerous notable incidents involving data loss due to cloud storage services have occurred. These events underline the importance of not relying exclusively on the cloud for crucial data; instead, it’s advisable to maintain multiple backups or alternative storage solutions.
In June, a user of OneDrive found themselves unable to access a vast collection of photos and work accumulated over three decades. Unfortunately, they didn’t receive any assistance from Microsoft’s customer support. The user reported this issue themselves.
My Microsoft account was abruptly suspended with no explanation or opportunity for appeal, despite my repeated attempts to submit the compliance form 18 times now. Each time I receive an automatic reply without any guidance on how to proceed. There’s been no interaction with a human representative and no meaningful assistance. Instead, I just keep getting pre-written emails and deafening silence.
Later, it was reported that a developer from the LibreOffice, an open-source equivalent to Microsoft Office, encountered a ban on OneDrive which locked their data. According to Kaganski, Microsoft’s support was less than satisfactory, but eventually, the data was successfully recovered.
From now on, I will discontinue utilizing certain services they offer, and I must clarify that I no longer endorse or rely on their technical skills.
Mike Kaganski, LibreOffice
It’s not just OneDrive that has been receiving unfavorable attention lately. On August 2, software engineer Abdelkader Boudih (also known as Seuros) disclosed a significant issue at AWS MENA, revealing an internal mistake that encrypted and locked away valuable data for years.
As an analyst, I’m delighted to report that, after persistent efforts, Boudih was successful in recovering their data. This accomplishment was made possible by a compassionate individual within AWS who took the initiative to address the issue.
The outpouring of support from the AWS community that Boudih received was significant, with numerous members sharing similar experiences. Their voices were not only heard but will likely contribute to improvements in AWS’s customer service moving forward.
According to Boudih, he’s still working on his gem releases and projects. The twist is that he takes extra precautions by doing multiple and triple backups. Even if you’re not a developer or dealing with intricate projects, the potential for data loss when relying solely on cloud storage remains the same.
Although the tales primarily focus on issues with faulty suspensions and poor customer service, it’s crucial to note that your information might vanish due to a variety of possibilities such as technical glitches, data breaches, security lapses, or even unintentional deletions.
How to safeguard your data — Best practices for cloud storage users
Just like you wouldn’t want an unidentified entity having control over your computer’s hard drive, it’s important to remember that relying entirely on cloud storage for your PC might not be the best idea either. While cloud storage is certainly very convenient, it shouldn’t replace local storage as a complete solution for managing your PC’s data.
To start with, it’s crucial to ensure that robust authentication is enabled on your cloud service account. While multifactor authentication is essential, you might want to consider even more secure options like biometrics and authenticator apps. If the cloud service doesn’t offer strong data encryption, it may be worth exploring other providers for better security.
In other words, even though your data is currently safe and secure within the cloud storage, it’s important to take preventive measures to shield against potential data losses.
The “3-2-1 Backup Rule,” which has been a mainstay for many years, continues to provide a robust basis for effective data storage management.
According to this guideline, it’s advisable to maintain three sets of your data at any given moment. These sets of data should be kept on two distinct types of storage devices or platforms such as a local hard drive, an external solid-state drive, or online cloud storage services. Additionally, it’s recommended that you store one set of your data in a location separate from where the others are kept.
For users running Windows 10 or Windows 11, it’s quite straightforward to schedule automatic data backups using the in-built Backup and Restore utility. This tool conveniently saves both regular and full copies of your computer’s drive onto an external hard drive. Should any issues arise, these backups facilitate easy restoration of your system.
If you prefer to backup specific files and folders instead of your entire computer, File History in Windows 11 is a reliable choice for automatic backups onto an external Solid State Drive (SSD). Once you’ve set up storage backups, consider using Microsoft OneDrive to make cloud-based copies as well. For comprehensive instructions on utilizing the Windows 11 Backup app, our guide offers additional details.
To ensure a secure backup strategy, follow the 3-2-1 rule by keeping copies of your data on three distinct storage devices – one being your computer, another an external drive, and the third in the cloud. This setup spans across two different physical devices, with one off-site location (cloud) providing additional safety. To achieve complete peace of mind, consider implementing extra redundancies such as a NAS storage system and storing data in multiple off-site locations.
You certainly don’t have to stop at the traditional 3-2-1 backup strategy when handling highly sensitive information. In today’s world of ransomware, a more robust approach like the 3-2-1-1-0 rule is increasingly popular. This rule includes an additional copy of your data that is stored offline and impervious to network changes, with no errors in the data itself.
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2025-08-18 14:11