You need to keep your business data safe. How can you find the right network storage solution?

1 What is network storage?

Network storage is a way of storing your data on devices that are connected to your network, rather than on individual computers or external hard drives. Network storage devices can be servers, hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), or cloud services. Network storage allows you to centralize your data, share it among multiple users and devices, and back it up regularly.

4 What are the main types of network storage solutions?

Depending on your business needs and preferences, you can choose from three main types of network storage solutions. Network attached storage (NAS) is a device that connects directly to your network and provides file-level storage for your data. It is easy to set up and use, and offers fast access and sharing of your data, but has limited scalability and performance. Alternatively, a storage area network (SAN) is a network of devices that provides block-level storage for your data. It is more complex and expensive to set up and use, but offers high scalability and performance, as well as compatibility with various applications and protocols. Lastly, cloud storage is a service that stores your data on remote servers accessed via the internet. It is flexible and cost-effective, offering unlimited scalability and availability of your data; however, it has lower security and control, as well as potential latency or reliability issues.

5 How to compare and evaluate network storage solutions?

Before you decide on a network storage solution for your business, it's important to compare and evaluate different options based on criteria such as cost, capacity, performance, compatibility, security, and compliance. Consider the upfront and ongoing costs, as well as any hidden or variable fees. Additionally, think about the storage space available and how easy it is to expand or reduce it. It's also important to consider the speed and reliability of the network storage solution, as well as its compatibility with existing networks, devices, platforms, applications, and protocols. Finally, make sure the network storage solution is secure and compliant with relevant regulations and standards that apply to your data and industry.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?