Do you use the cloud?

Do you keep some type of offsite backup?  If so, do you have multiple copies of the latest version of the data?  The main benefit of cloud backup is disaster recovery.  If you have multiple copies on external drives, but they are all in the same location then you are not protected from a fire or flood or other natural disaster.  Every type of storage device has a 100% failure rate eventually.  

I have three copies of my important files and I keep them in separate locations, just in case something like a fire or burglary were to occur.

I will use the Cloud for backups if it is provided to me to use. But I still haven't gone out on the limb to implement it in my own business practices. I am also hesitant about it, but I also find the fact that I am not always connected either hindering me if I rely too much on the Cloud (much to the chagrin of my PhD supervisor, who is the exact opposite and does everything via the Cloud).

We do use the cloud as backup, along with 2 hard drives and a database in the office. Legally we are required to keep all files and documents for 7 years after they were last accessed but really the only practical thing is to keep everything forever.

All the major cloud storage providers are good and fairly reliable. (Apple iCloud, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive) I've used all of them on this list at one time and several of them I am still currently using. Some providers offer encrypted storage options. Many of them offer free tiers with limited storage space. The great thing about these providers, they make easy for you to access your data across multiple devices. Some of them offer versioning and sharing capabilities.

If you rather keep everything internal, you can create your own cloud storage with OwnCloud and a computer or NAS.

With any solution, have backups! The common rule in the backup world is the 3-2-1 strategy. 3 copies of your data, 2 different types of medium, and 1 offsite.

For my side business and personal data, I have everything saved on a Synology NAS that is synced with two other NAS devices. One local under the same roof and another NAS at my parent's house. My second local NAS is backed up to the cloud with an online backup service, Back Blaze. So I take the 3-2-1 strategy one step further with 4 copies of my data.

I'm in the process of setting up a self-hosted 'cloud' service. I don't like the thought of certain information being left online where it's always going to be a target.

It's called NextCloud. I have ESXi running on a Lenovo M920s, and set it up on a VM running Ubuntu. It's not a difficult set up process. It's kind of like having an in house SharePoint server, but the NextCloud service is not accessible from the internet had has tons and tons more features.

The entire setup is open sourced. Started off as looking for an offline password vault due to all of the compromised online password managers.

Doesn't that kind of defeat one of the purposes of having a cloud service?  To me one of the most beneficial uses of the cloud is offsite backup/storage.  

I also use NextCloud and like it. The primary thing I use it for is storing DVDs which are in a shared file with Jellyfin (a media server) which allows me to stream my DVD library conveniently  

Woah, I'm sorry, what is this magic you use to store DVDs virtually then stream them anytime????! 

Beth - LenovoPRO CM look up plex server.