What is the purpose of cloud storage?

The purpose of cloud storage is to store data on the internet, enabling users to access their files from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. This capability is a significant advantage, as it promotes flexibility and convenience, allowing users to retrieve and manage their data across various devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones regardless of their physical location.

Cloud storage also typically involves redundancy and data management practices that enhance data durability and availability, ensuring that users have reliable access to their files without being tethered to a specific device or location. This aspect of accessibility is vital for collaboration, as multiple users can also access and share files remotely, facilitating teamwork and communication.

In contrast, storing data locally may enhance security for sensitive information by keeping it off the internet, but it limits accessibility, as files can usually only be accessed from the specific device that stored them. Likewise, the creation of backups accessed within the same network reduces flexibility and risks data loss if the local device fails or gets damaged. Synchronizing files between devices typically requires internet connectivity, and doing so without the internet contradicts the basic premise of cloud technology, which leverages online access for seamless data management.