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Cloud storage is a cloud-based computing model in which data is stored on remote servers and accessed over the internet. It is maintained, operated and managed by a cloud storage service provider using storage servers built on virtualization techniques.
There are many benefits of cloud storage for various industries, especially in the video surveillance industry with its enormous demand for data storage. Cloud storage offers businesses substantial scalability and a cost-effective strategy contributing to lower total costs of ownership, as well as accessibility and disaster recovery benefits.
1. Accessibility
Stored files can be accessed from any location over an open Internet connection. Compared to traditional DVRs or NVRs, stored video can only be accessed within the local area network (LAN), or via port mapping to related devices on the public network. As long as users can access the Internet they can access their data using cloud storage.
2. Disaster Recovery
An emergency backup plan is highly recommended for every enterprise. Cloud storage can be used for backup and disaster recovery, providing a second copy of important files. These files are stored at a remote location and also can be accessed over an Internet connection.
For traditional DVRs or NVRs, video data stored on a device will be lost when the device itself is damaged. However, cloud storage has the natural advantage of being able to back up data by duplicating files and making all data available to client devices remotely.
3. Cost Reduction
In contrast to the cost of purchasing traditional storage devices (DVRs, NVRs and other devices), cloud storage is paid for by demand, so there are no additional costs such as equipment purchases, equipment storage costs, and added personnel for professional operation and maintenance, and so on.
The core security concern for cloud storage users is data safety. To reduce the risk of data leakage in the cloud, encryption solutions are most commonly used.
The general encryption solutions can be divided into Server-Side Encryption and Client-Side Encryption.
1. Server-Side Encryptions
In this scenario, cloud storage services encrypt data before saving it on disks at the data centers and decrypt it when downloading.
Server-Side Encryption can be further divided into two categories. The first kind occurs when a cloud service provides a secret key, such as the SSE-S3 provided by AWS (Protecting Data Using Server-Side Encryption with Amazon S3-Managed Encryption Keys); the second type occurs when developers manage the secret keys themselves, such as SSE-C provided by AWS (Protecting Data Using Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Provided Encryption Keys).
Either way, Server-Side Encryption reduces the complexity of user-managed keys. Additionally, users should ensure their data is stored on physical devices in encrypted form, which will reduce the risks associated with physical devices and access to physical devices for data.
2. Client-Side Encryption
In this scenario, data is encrypted on the client-side and uploaded to cloud storage servers. In this case, users manage the encryption process, the keys, and related tools.
Client-Side Encryption gives users more power over their keys while increasing the complexity of the user-managed key.
The solutions offered by EZVIZ Cloud include a dual encryption mode that includes both Server-Side Encryption and Client-Side Encryption. The secret key on the Client-Side is managed by the user. For data security reasons, data stored in the cloud will be encrypted on the Server-Side as well, so no additional user action is required there.
