The prevalence of cloud computing technology has expanded exponentially in the last few years, becoming a big part of both our personal and work lives. Although the cloud has revolutionised some parts of business and made sharing and storing data much easier, it has come under a lot of scrutiny recently due to the threat of cyber-attacks and high-profile data leaks. Here we will look at some of the myths surrounding cloud computing and see just how grounded in fact they really are.

The Cloud is Always Public

Although a public cloud system is one form of cloud computing, there are in fact a few different types of cloud technology all with their own unique attributes. So, what is the public cloud? A public cloud is cloud technology hosted by a company which normally charges users to access it; users have no say in where the cloud infrastructure is based or in the kind of technology and software used. A private cloud, on the other hand, is where the cloud infrastructure is run and owned by the organisation using it; a private cloud is not open to the public and access is not normally shared with other organisations. A hybrid cloud, on the other hand, is cloud technology which incorporates a bit of both public and private cloud, with some data being stored on a private cloud while other data is stored on a public cloud.

Cloud Computing Isn’t Safe

In the last few years there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the security of the cloud and how vulnerable it may be to cyber-attacks, but just how safe really is it? There are always risks that come with storing sensitive information on a computer – no computer is immune to hacks or being stolen. Although you need to do a lot of due diligence around the cloud company of your choice, cloud storage today is incredibly secure with complex data encryption processes in place.

The Cloud Puts People Out of Jobs

As with any new tech, there were initial concerns raised around cloud computing putting people out of a job as it streamlined business processes. However, often the opposite is true. Cloud computing has not only helped businesses grow whilst cutting costs, making it easier to take on more staff members, it has also expanded the whole IT industry. Lots of venture capital firms like C5 Capital are now investing in cloud computing companies, creating lots of jobs in cybersecurity, web development and IT maintenance to name just a few.

The Cloud is Damaging to the Environment

As the usage of the cloud has grown exponentially, so have the concerns around its impact on the environment – the large infrastructure the cloud relies on does take up a lot of energy to run and keep cool. However, as more and more companies rely on cloud tech, organisations like Google are investing a lot into making the technology more efficient. It is also important to note that as more companies rely on a public cloud system, rather their own private cloud which takes internal private infrastructure, less energy is being used and their overall carbon footprint is reduced.