The data generated through business devices can be sensitive, complex, and essential for organizational success. To avoid potential data loss, all files, documents, and other digital assets must be kept in a secure location, where they can be quickly recovered. Data storage meets these needs, as a user’s media is recorded and preserved digitally within a data storage solution.
These solutions can ensure reliable data recovery and secure sensitive digital assets. Fortunately, companies can choose from a wide range of advanced options to address their complex data storage needs.
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Types of data storage
Many popular options differ in their storage locations, methods, and other capabilities. Here are the pros and cons of each solution.
Cloud storage
The cloud offers an online data storage method that stores data in off-site server locations. Data can be conveniently accessed by authorized users from any location, as long as they have an internet connection or dedicated private network connection. Cloud storage solutions are typically reliable and are maintained and managed by the provider.
Cloud storage providers offer solutions that are generally scalable and cost-effective. However, these solutions must have strict security standards to keep data safe from online attackers.
Hybrid cloud storage
Hybrid provides the best of both public and private cloud storage. Hybrid cloud storage options are flexible, allowing businesses to store their data digitally or in an on-premises storage location.
Many businesses choose it for its scalability and security.
Backup software and appliances
When unforeseen circumstances arise, users are able to access copies of their files and data that backup solutions store on separate devices.
Backup storage is usually scalable when provided as a backup-as-a-service solution. These solutions require software tuning, but once they are implemented, businesses can enjoy continuous and convenient backups.
SSD flash drive and hybrid arrays
Businesses can opt to employ systems that use solid-state drive and flash drive storage. This is made possible using flash memory, which enables fast data transfers between these two locations.
Hybrid flash arrays involve the use of both hard disk drives and flash memory drives, enhancing the speed, storage capacity, and overall performance of the storage systems, resulting in a balanced infrastructure for organizational data.
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Benefits of data storage
Data storage often comes with the following benefits:
- Cybersecurity: Robust security features safeguard organizational data and proprietary information from cyberattacks.
- Preservation: It can protect organizations from the effects of data loss during unforeseen events, e.g., computing crashes, by allowing companies to retrieve their preserved data.
- Continuity: It can retain a continuous influx of data and allow for easy retrieval by authorized users.
- Enhanced performance: Solutions that are software-defined are less limited in terms of space and scalability and can be automated, making it easier and more reliable.
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Challenges in data storage
While there are some issues, businesses can implement strategies to overcome them:
- Security: Business-critical data must be protected from unauthorized access to avoid the risk of data loss, destruction, or theft. Fortunately, many data storage solutions use methods like encryption and multilayered authentication.
- Unexpected needs: Businesses should consider how their data storage needs may transform in the future, so it’s important to find a scalable solution that can grow as required.
- Infrastructure requirements: Large quantities of data require more server space, which can be difficult to find room for on-site. Cloud storage may be a better option, as this would store the data in off-site server locations, but it has its limitations.
- Storage compatibility: Businesses typically gather data from multiple sources and formats. To ensure compatibility when integrating data, organizations should utilize solutions with open APIs or other appropriate data integration methods.
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Data storage methods
Various types are available and can range in their storage capacity and cost. But the data storage methods can generally be classified as either network attached storage, direct attached storage, or a storage area network.
Network attached storage
Network attached storage solutions store data across numerous devices within a network. By centralizing the data between these connected machines, businesses can share resources between multiple network-connected users simultaneously, simplifying their collaborative efforts. NAS makes this possible by keeping storage locations within a RAID configuration, which can also improve the storage performance.
Direct attached storage
Direct attached storage describes solutions that access and share data through a direct connection to one computer. DAS does not go through the network and is instead physically connected to a singular device.
This is a more traditional method and can make it more challenging to transfer data between machines. However, DAS can be a good option for businesses performing local backups.
Storage area network
Data stored within a storage area network is located across numerous drives and can be accessed by multiple devices or servers. Businesses can use a SAN to consolidate their resources to share the storage space. This method is typically used for cloud computing.
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What to look for when choosing a type of data storage for your business
No one type of method is considered superior for data, as the ideal system would ultimately depend on the organization’s unique needs.
Several important considerations to keep in mind include the ease of data transfer, security features, storage capacity, scalability, and the cost of the solution. As you assess the different features and how their performance would align with your business’s desired speed and data capacity, don’t forget to consider their drawbacks. For instance, hybrid cloud storage can be difficult to implement, and data maintenance across these multiple locations may be complex.
Data storage solution providers will offer different security features, and maintaining the safety of your organizational data is essential. While some methods with on-premises locations can offer more safety against cyberattacks, this may come at the cost of easy data transfer.
Ultimately, the best solution for your organization will be what allows you to scale with your needs, protect your data, and allow for easy data transfer.
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Popular data storage solutions
Some of the best-rated data storage products include:
This article was originally published in December 2023. It was updated by Antony Peyton in June 2025.
