Cloud Storage
What it means
Cloud storage means storing files on secure remote servers that you access over the internet, rather than keeping the only copy on your computer, phone or hard drive. Services like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and iCloud keep your documents synchronised across devices so you can work from anywhere.
For a complete beginner's walkthrough of choosing a provider, structuring folders and keeping files organised, see our main guide to what cloud storage is.
Why it matters
Cloud storage quietly underpins modern small-business work, but synchronisation is not the same as a backup. Deleting a synchronised file removes it from all connected devices. Knowing how cloud storage works helps protect you from accidental data loss. Compare services in our guide on Google Drive vs OneDrive or read Cloud Storage vs Backup to understand the difference.
A practical example
Suppose you keep family photos in a cloud service so they appear on your phone, tablet and computer. That sync is wonderfully convenient. But if you accidentally delete a treasured photo on your phone, sync will dutifully delete it from the cloud and your other devices too. A true backup — a separate copy, perhaps an automatic backup to another service or an external drive — is what would let you recover it. The two roles are different, and both are worth having.
Related terms
This term is explored fully in Get Your Files Under Control.