FAQ

Here is something to think hard about!

The "Cloud" is just someone elses Computer, Server, or Network Attached Storage, just to name a few.

Cloud systems can be within a big server farm like Microsoft's OneDrive, or as simple as in the corner of someone's bedroom or garage.  These sites can be close by or over seas with China, Taiwan, the Phillipines, or even Russia being in the Cloud Storage Market.  The marketing principle is simple:  Minimum maintenance for maximum profits.

You may have read that Cloud services offer secure transmittal of data and storage at some offsite location.  This is partly true, while most sites offer 128 bit or better encryption, when the file reaches their server it is stored just as you sent it... as a complete file.

While security at better hosts are in very secure areas away from the public, this doesn't stop an employee from committing espionage, or black mail sharing your personal files and information with others.  As an example, imagine you are an attorney using an inexpensive cloud service which in turn you put all your case files, and you just happen to retain this attorney for your case, and he is writing briefs and adding it to your "attorney/client priveledge" files, and it just so happens that the defendants uncles, cousins, sister works for the cloud service.  There goes a copy of your files out the door at the end of shift on a flash drive.

We do not offer Cloud Storage Services, but rather advocate that you keep a personal server close by with your data where it is secure and only those authorized can access it.

Cloud storage has many advantages, including accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and disaster recovery, but it also has some drawbacks: 

Pros
Accessibility: Access data from anywhere with an internet connection 
Cost-effectiveness: Reduces the cost of local storage and infrastructure 
Disaster recovery: Efficient backup and recovery 
Scalability: Easily adjust storage space 
Collaboration: Share files easily with others 
Cons
Dependence on internet: Requires a stable internet connection to upload, download, and sync files 
You need to secure your account:  Unauthorized access to your account is the biggest cloud storage security risk. But you can prevent hacks by choosing a security-focused cloud service that offers two-factor authentication, using strong passwords with a password manager(new window), and being alert for phishing attempts(new window).  Unauthorized access to your account is a major security risk 
Most providers are weak on privacy: Providers like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox are not private by default. The companies can access and scan all your files, including photos and sensitive documents. This can also be a security risk. You can eliminate this problem by choosing a privacy-first cloud storage provider that uses end-to-end encryption by default, meaning not even the provider can see your data. 
Unauthorized access to your account is a major security risk 
Ongoing costs: Subscription fees can accumulate in perpetuity
Data privacy: Potential issues with sensitive data control 
Speed limitations: Is slower than local storage and can be aggravating with poor Internet speeds with your ISP
Limited control: You may have less control over your data 
Security risks: To mitigate security risks, you can choose a cloud service that offers two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and be alert for phishing attempts. You can also choose a privacy-focused provider that uses end-to-end encryption. 

My opinion on all of this?  You are much better off in control of your own content.  Sharing and sending files is still easy and much easier to secure when you own the server, than to give access to a user via a cloud account.  Disater recover should also be part of having your own Server, but there are many options available to handle this, that won't break heavily in to your profits.