The topic of data storage has meanwhile become a major task in IT departments due to the constantly growing amounts of data. It therefore makes a lot of sense to take a closer look at developments such as cloud storage. In addition to solving capacity problems, this also promises cost advantages over normal in-house storage. 

The basic idea: Files are no longer stored in central data centers, but redundantly on the hard disks of other desktop users. What sounds like a security GAU can actually provide more privacy and provide sufficient data availability thanks to sophisticated algorithms and blockchain-based incentive programs.

Before data is transferred to external hard drives, it is first encrypted, hacked into small pieces of information and distributed to the hardware of a "community", which - for a fee - provides free capacities. The keys are exclusively with the owner of the data and could not be seen by third parties. Information is not stored centrally, but redundantly in a network of distributed systems, so files can be recovered more quickly: Downloads run over a variety of connections and would not be slowed down by individual bottlenecks.

Advantages of blockchain based cloud storage

There are many reasons why cloud storage is becoming increasingly attractive. The most important advantages include cost savings, convenience, security and scalability. To save costs, the cloud is a good option for many companies, because operating storage in-house is very capital-intensive. 

Flexibility is another advantage. The stored data is available from anywhere via the Internet. Customers can usually manage their storage service through the management console.

The Internet as a mobile interface: Data can be called up at any time through a whole series of devices.

Vendors for Cloudstorage solutions

They are called Filecoin, Casper, Sia, bluzelle, MaidSafe or Storj and compete against the industry leaders Google Cloud, Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure with blockchain and decentralized storage capacities. The goal: P2P networks that offer significantly cheaper and more secure storage.

Bluzelle

https://bluzelle.com

Filecoin

https://filecoin.io

MaidSafe

https://www.maidsafe.net 

Storj

https://storj.io

Casper Api 

https://casperproject.io

Sia

https://sia.tech

More Information about Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is an approach where data is stored in networked resources. This data is available via a special user interface of the provider. For the user this clearly means more security, because there are no external hard disks or the like in the cloud that can get lost or something like that. Often redundant storage systems are offered by the service providers. 

In the unlikely event that a data center is destroyed by a natural disaster or a power outage occurs, all data on a backup server in another data center is secure and still available. Most data centers offer at least two secure and separate locations for data storage, which can be accessed at any time via the Internet. 

All the hardware necessary to ensure the capacity for data traffic and data storage is purchased from the storage service providers. The providers have to provide the hardware efficiently for a large number of users and are able to accommodate several users on one server. The available resources are optimally adapted to the different users and their needs.