Decentralized storage is now more viable than ever, especially when there are more users on the Internet than ever before. However, with more and more users relying on data storage, there’s now the need to make this kind of storage safer online, aside from cheaper. That’s where decentralized storage comes in!
This quick guide will explore decentralized storage in the following ways:
· What it is
· The problem of which this type of data storage is needed
· Why this type of storage matters
· How it works
· Its pros and cons, AND
· What brands are leading the charge in this type of storage
Now, before we move forward, we must first define decentralized blockchain.
What Is Decentralized Storage?
The term “decentralized storage” is derived from the idea of decentralization, the process by which authority is transferred from a central entity to a localized system.
Therefore, when putting it with storage, decentralized storage is essentially a localized type of data storage that individuals can have more access to without having to rely on a higher authority to gain that access from the start.
The Problem
“Current solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox come with risks like data leakage,” says Theresa Prince, a journalist at Write My X and 1Day2Write. “Data leakage can affect not only individual users but also companies and institutions. With data breaches more common these days, there’s now a need for safer solutions.”
Rather than rely on physical media (i.e., USB thumb drives) or centralized cloud storage – which can be stolen and or hackable – decentralized cloud storage stores your data on a decentralized network across multiple locations.
The servers are user-hosted, rather than by one company. Plus, there’s no need for centralized data silos, which can potentially leak data, thus putting privacy in jeopardy.
Why Does Decentralized Storage Matter?
Decentralized storage has grown in not only popularity but also in importance. Why? Well, for a number of reasons:
· Data breaches are more evident these days, which has affected major companies by leaking sensitive data.
· Data outages (or DDoS attacks) can leave many users without data at any time.
· You don’t own your data, thus contradicting personal “private” data.
· There’s a growing disgust of censorship and monitoring of personal data.
· Storage costs are rising, meaning high bandwidth transmission costs and increased data security costs.
How Does It Work?
To better understand how decentralized storage works, we’ll compare it side-by-side with centralized storage.
· Network V. Servers
o While data from centralized storage can be uploaded and downloaded on a data server, decentralized data can be uploaded and downloaded from a network with a host of nodes.
· Ownership
o While centralized storage holds the encryption key responsible for keeping data safe, decentralized storage lets you hold that key, allowing you (and only you) to read the files inside.
· Location And Bandwidth
While centralize storage can only be handled in one location (along with a certain bandwidth), decentralized storage can be handled regardless of one’s location and bandwidth.
The Benefits
So, now that you know the difference between centralized and decentralized storage, it’s time to look at the benefits of the latter:
· There are fair market prices for this type of data storage, thanks to continuous competition amongst nodes.
· Download speeds are fast in a decentralized network since multiple copies can be stored on different nodes. So, there’s no need for all users to rely on one server.
· Storage costs are affordable because again, storage isn’t limited to using a central server. Instead, you have many nodes that can host your data.
· There’s less of a chance for you to lose any of your files since extra copies of your data can be stored and recovered in the event of a transmission error.
· Data stored in a decentralized network is encrypted and then split amongst participating nodes so that no one else can access your data.
The Cons
“While decentralized storage has many benefits, it’s not perfect,” says Jasper Newton, a business writer at Originwritings and Britstudent. “When it comes to development, proofs can be complicated to adapt in a business.
Plus, the lack of legal accountability can lead to lost or stolen files in the event of a security breach. In addition, migrating to a decentralized network can lead to performance issues.
Though, despite this idea still being in the beta stages, it still holds some potential for both consumers and businesses.”
Players Of Decentralized Storage
With the enormous potential that decentralized cloud storage offers, several names have stepped up to the plate with their own platforms. Here are a few of the many players.
· BURST
· Filecoin (IPFS)
· MaidSafe
· PPIO
· Sia
· Storj
· Swarm, etc.
Conclusion
Ultimately, decentralized storage is the future of data storage, at the rate that it’s growing in popularity and demand. With data privacy and security as top priorities, users want the most effective storage to date.
As demonstrated in this quick guide, this trend will continue to take data storage by storm, making things easier, affordable, and efficient than ever before.
George J. Newton is a writer and editor at AcademicBrits.com and Phdkingdom.com. He is also a contributing writer for Nextcoursework.com. As a blogger, he writes about the latest trends in business practices, coding, and data storage.
