NAS vs. Cloud Storage: Which Remote Storage Option Is Best

If you're leading IT strategy for a growing enterprise and still weighing network attached storage (NAS) and cloud storage, you're not alone. And you're not behind. Even the most seasoned infrastructure pros find themselves re-evaluating their stack as data volumes explode and budgets tighten. Both offer unique benefits, but with overlapping features, it's easy to see why the choice can be confusing.

Are you looking for greater control with physical access, as in a local NAS setup? Or is off-site backup, flexibility, and scalability through a cloud service provider more aligned with your needs? With plenty of discussions and debates outlining the pros and cons of one or the other, it can be difficult to determine the best storage solution for your specific needs.

This guide walks through clear, actionable insights into NAS and cloud storage, addressing your most pressing questions about storage costs, dedicated machines, data sharing, and performance. Whether the focus is cost, scalability, security, or accessibility, this guide will help identify the ideal storage solution for your business.

What is NAS?

NAS, or network attached storage, is a file-level storage system designed specifically to provide centralized and shared disk storage for users on a local area network (LAN).

Essentially, NAS is a purpose-built computer that operates its own dedicated operating system (OS). It contains one or more storage devices that are configured to create a single shared volume. These storage devices are arranged in a RAID configuration to ensure data redundancy and performance.

These configurations make NAS ideal for file sharing, data backups, and accessing large files within an organization, making it a cost-effective solution for enterprises that need local storage with physical access.

Many NAS devices, such as Synology NAS or QNAP NAS, come with built-in software for additional functionalities like file syncing, data backups, and offsite backup options to integrate with cloud services.

How does NAS work?

NAS provides access to files using standard network file sharing protocols such as Network File System (NFS) and Server Message Block (SMB). By connecting directly to the local network, NAS allows users to easily store, access, and collaborate on files without overburdening other servers within the network. This separation of file-serving responsibilities helps optimize overall network performance, particularly for high-traffic environments.

NAS systems are generally managed through a web-based utility accessible over the network, offering an intuitive interface for configuration and maintenance. This interface allows administrators to handle tasks such as user permissions, storage allocation, and data redundancy settings-making it simpler to secure and organize shared files across the network.

Advantages of NAS

NAS offers several advantages including faster data access, easier administration, simplified management, and many others. Here's a breakdown:

• Cost effective: NAS devices typically involve an upfront purchase cost that includes access to applications from the NAS provider, like Synology Hyper Backup or QNAP Hybrid Backup Sync. This greatly reduces ongoing subscription fees, though you may incur costs if you want to expand your storage capacity with high-capacity storage drives or increase its performance with updates like more powerful processors, etc.
• Data control and security: NAS systems offer extensive control over data storage and security protocols. NAS systems are only accessible on the local network and to user accounts that can be controlled and managed.
• Performance: NAS provides high-speed access to data over a local network, ensuring quick file retrieval and sharing. NAS generally work as fast as the local network speeds.
• Scalable storage: Many NAS systems allow additional drives to be added, providing flexible storage expansion, albeit with the cost of additional drives or device upgrades. Modern NAS devices today offer large storage capacities and advanced features for virtualization and application hosting.
• Data redundancy: When equipped with RAID configurations, NAS provides redundancy, ensuring data remains accessible even if one or more hard drives fail.
• Better data management tools: Features such as fully automated backups, deduplication, compression, and encryption enhance data storage efficiency and security. NAS systems also support sync workflows for team collaboration, directory services for user and group management, and services like photo or media management.
• Compatibility: NAS systems are designed to support different OS environments and are compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. They offer a seamless cross-platform access.
• Remote access options: While primarily local, most NAS devices offer secure remote access through VPN or encrypted connections, allowing authorized users to access files from outside the office network when needed.

Limitations of NAS

While NAS offers numerous advantages for centralized file storage, there are some notable limitations to consider:

• Initial setup and maintenance:. The configuration process can be complex at enterprise scale, and ongoing maintenance may demand external IT support, adding to operational costs.
• Remote access vulnerabilities: NAS systems can be accessed remotely over the internet, creating a private cloud or hybrid cloud solution. While this offers a significant advantage in using your device, just like anything connected to the internet, it also poses security risks. Bad actors can exploit vulnerabilities and gain remote access to the device. To minimize risk, businesses must ensure proper security configurations, use encrypted connections, regularly update firmware, and restrict access to trusted IPs.
• Scalability constraints: Although NAS systems allow for storage expansion, they are still limited by the physical capacity of the hardware. Adding storage often involves purchasing high-capacity drives, which can be costly, and for larger expansions, migrating to more powerful NAS devices might be necessary.
• Data vulnerability: Data stored on a NAS is susceptible to various threats, including hardware failures, natural disasters, theft, and cyber attacks such as ransomware. While RAID configurations offer some level of data redundancy, they do not protect against all forms of data loss. Regular backups and additional security measures are essential to mitigate these risks.
• Performance overheads: As more users and devices access the NAS, network bandwidth and device performance can become bottlenecks. High demand may reduce access speeds, impact data throughput, and reduce efficiency, especially in larger organizations with extensive data needs.
• Data recovery challenges: If a NAS drive fails or becomes corrupted, data recovery processes may be complex and require specialized services, which can be costly and time-intensive.

What is cloud storage?

Cloud storage is a model of data storage where data is stored on servers located in off-site locations and accessed via the internet. This setup enables users to store, retrieve, and manage data without requiring local storage infrastructure. There are two main types of cloud: public and private.

• Public cloud storage: Hyperscale providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure and specialized cloud providers like Backblaze maintain servers and are responsible for hosting, managing, and securing data. The public cloud is cost-effective and offers scalable storage for multiple users and businesses.
• Private cloud storage: Typically managed in-house or by a dedicated third-party provider, private cloud storage is reserved for a single organization. For example, a university may maintain data centers for its community. Private clouds offer enhanced control and security, though they often require more complex management.

What's the diff: Public vs. private cloud

Public cloud storage services are provided by third-party vendors over the public internet, making them accessible to anyone who wants to purchase or lease storage capacity. These services are designed to offer scalability and reliability, often on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Private cloud storage is dedicated to a single organization where an organization utilizes its own servers and data centers to store data within their own network. It can be hosted on-premises or by a third-party provider, but it's always behind the organization's firewall. This model is ideal for businesses that require more control over their data and have stringent security and compliance requirements.

Advantages of public cloud

One of the key benefits of public cloud storage is that it eliminates the need for businesses to buy, manage, and operate their own data center infrastructure. This shift allows companies to move from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx) model, focusing on paying only for the storage they need when they need it.

Additionally, cloud storage is elastic, enabling businesses to scale their storage capacity up or down more efficiently and strategically than through tactical hardware investments.

Advantages of private cloud

Private cloud storage allows for customized control and security measures, as organizations have full authority over their data environment. This setup can be highly beneficial for industries with strict data regulations, like finance and healthcare, as it enables better compliance with data privacy laws.

Additionally, private clouds provide reliable performance since resources are not shared with external users, reducing latency issues and enabling faster data access for internal teams.

Types of cloud storage architecture

In addition to the elasticity and scalability benefits of cloud storage, you can also combine on-premises storage and different types of public or private cloud storage to uniquely support your business needs. The primary models of cloud storage are:

• Hybrid cloud storage: A hybrid model combines both public and private cloud storage. This allows an organization to decide which data it wants to store in which cloud. Sensitive data and data that must meet strict compliance requirements may be stored in a private cloud or on-premises while less sensitive data is stored in the public cloud. You could also use hybrid cloud to leverage on-premises storage for performance-sensitive tasks, such as using NAS to edit large media files locally, which are later synced to the cloud.
• Multi-cloud storage: A multi-cloud model involves using two or more public cloud storage services from different service providers. This model helps businesses leverage the best features of each cloud service while enhancing data availability and redundancy. For example, some companies use multiple cloud providers to host mirrored copies of their active production data. If one of their public clouds suffers an outage, they have mechanisms in place to direct their applications or websites to failover to a second public cloud.

This flexibility in cloud storage architecture allows businesses to balance performance, cost, and security-ensuring critical data is stored securely while remaining accessible and resilient across multiple environments.

How does cloud storage work?

Cloud storage works by allowing users to upload data, such as files, documents, videos, or images to remote servers via the internet.

Public cloud storage providers like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Backblaze maintain servers in large data centers. The uploaded data can be accessed and managed through web interfaces or APIs, making it highly accessible and flexible.

Cloud storage offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance business operations, such as storage space scalability, flexible data sharing options, and built-in data protection through regular backups and client-side encryption. However, there are also a few considerations like data security and storage costs to keep in mind. Next, we'll look at the advantages and some of the key limitations of cloud-based storage solutions.

Advantages of cloud storage

Cloud storage enables businesses to scale with ease, reduce IT burdens, and access data remotely-offering a reliable, cost-efficient way to manage critical information. Here are some of the advantages of cloud storage:

• Off-site protection: Cloud storage provides convenient off-site protection for data, ensuring that in the event of a physical disaster (such as fire or flood), data remains safe and accessible from any location. This supports in data redundancy and business continuity.

• Enhanced security: Leading cloud providers invest heavily in advanced security measures-including encryption, multi-factor authentication, Object Lock for immutability, and regular security audits-to protect stored data from unauthorized access and breaches.
• Scalability: Cloud storage services offer virtually unlimited storage capacity. Businesses can easily scale their storage needs up or down based on demand without needing to invest in physical hardware.
• Accessibility: Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and data sharing across teams and locations.
• Lower maintenance: Cloud providers handle all hardware maintenance, software updates, and security patches, reducing the IT burden of managing storage systems on businesses.
• Cost efficiency: Many cloud storage solutions operate on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing businesses to pay only for the storage they use, which can be more cost-effective than local NAS or investing in on-premises hardware.

Limitations of cloud storage

While cloud storage offers flexibility and scalability, it also has some limitations that impose additional considerations like ongoing costs and internet dependence that businesses should evaluate carefully.

• Ongoing costs: Unlike on-premises storage solutions such as NAS, cloud storage operates on a subscription-based pricing model. When evaluating cloud storage, businesses should consider the total cost of ownership, including ongoing fees, and weigh these against the benefits of cloud storage.
• Dependence on the internet: Cloud storage relies on a stable internet connection for access and data transfer. Any disruptions in internet connectivity can hinder access to critical files and services, potentially impacting business operations. Ensuring reliable internet service and having contingency plans are crucial for minimizing downtime.

NAS vs cloud storage: A side-by-side comparison

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of NAS and cloud storage, highlighting key aspects such as cost, scalability, security, and performance. This comparison will help you determine which storage solution best aligns with your business requirements and operational workflows.

Hybrid cloud: The best of both worlds

A hybrid cloud solution combines the strengths of both NAS and cloud storage. While NAS offers a centralized location to store and access files, the data stored on the NAS is still vulnerable to data disasters such as floods, fires, or hardware failures.

By integrating cloud storage with NAS, you create an off-site backup of your NAS data that securely protects your critical data from virtually any data threat. This approach not only mitigates the risk associated with physical damage to your on-premises NAS equipment but also offers the scalability, flexibility and remote accessibility benefits of cloud storage.

Additionally, this helps you implement 3-2-1 backup protection where three copies of your data are stored in two different storage media (NAS and cloud) with one copy stored off-site in the cloud, protecting against ransomware, hardware failures, natural disasters, and other data threats.

NAS vs. cloud: Which is best for your business?

Choosing between NAS and cloud storage for your business largely depends on your specific use cases and operational needs. NAS provides fast local access, control, and cost efficiency for businesses with stable storage needs and on-premises operations. In contrast, cloud storage offers unparalleled scalability, remote access, and maintenance-free operation, making it ideal for organizations with dynamic storage needs and remote workforces.

However, many businesses find that a combination of both, known as a hybrid cloud solution, offers the best of both worlds by combining the control of NAS with the scalability of cloud storage.

Ultimately, the right choice will depend on a thorough evaluation of your business needs and operational workflows. By understanding the strengths and limitations of both NAS and cloud storage, you can make an informed decision that ensures your data is secure, accessible, and available when you need it.

FAQs about NAS and cloud storage