What is Amazon S3?
Amazon S3 is a cloud storage service that works differently from some other popular cloud storage providers. With Amazon S3, data is stored, protected, and retrieved from “buckets” that you can access anywhere, from any device. You store “objects” such as photos, videos, documents, or other files, in the buckets in the cloud, and each account can have up to 100 buckets (though you can also request a service limit increase, if needed). There’s no limit to the number of files you can store in each bucket.
Pros and Cons of Amazon S3
As with every cloud storage service, there are plenty of Amazon S3 pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the main ones.
Benefits of Amazon S3:
- Ease of use
- Incredibly diverse array of tools
- Unlimited server capacity
- Reliable encryption and security
Disadvantages of Amazon S3:
- Billing Can be confusing
- Amazon’s S3 limits
- Common cloud computing problems
Pros of Amazon S3
Here are some of the main benefits of Amazon S3:
Ease of Use
Amazon S3 cloud storage is really easy to use, great if you don’t have much experience using cloud services. It’s specifically designed for fast, secure access whenever and wherever you want. There’s also a wealth of documentation, videos, and information provided to help you get started using the service, and an intuitive interface that makes navigating the service a breeze.
Incredibly Diverse Array of Tools
Amazon S3 is just one part of the wider Amazon Web Services (AWS). This infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform is a one-stop shop for all your IT requirements. AWS provides over 70 services including analytics, networking, mobile, database, and more. Tools and features you can take advantage of include versioning, which allows you to roll back to previous versions of a file or recover deleted objects, and managed IT services, designed to make running your business easier.
Unlimited Server Capacity
One of the main benefits of Amazon S3 is that it offers unlimited server capacity, so you can store your data without worrying about hard drive failure on macOS or service disruption. With unlimited bandwidth, secure email hosting, and more, Amazon S3 and AWS are reliable and scalable as your business expands or grows.
Reliable Encryption and Security
Storing stuff in the cloud is all well and good, but what if you have sensitive data that you need to ensure stays confidential? With Amazon S3, you don’t need to worry about your site being hacked or files stolen or deleted. AWS has 38 data centers worldwide, and Amazon S3 encryption uses the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to encrypt data in motion (i.e. when you’re uploading or downloading files to or from the service).
Cons of Amazon S3
Every cloud storage service has its cons, and Amazon S3 is no exception. Here are some of the main disadvantages of Amazon S3:
Billing Can be Confusing
For all its benefits, Amazon S3 (and AWS’) billing can be confusing and complicated, particularly for small business owners who aren’t especially tech-savvy. By working with a reseller, you’ll eliminate this problem, so invoicing and billing will be clearer and easier to understand.
Amazon’s S3 Limits
When signing up for Amazon S3 and AWS, you choose which region to store your data in, and it’s usually recommended to choose your own region closest to your location. Unfortunately, one of the main disadvantages of Amazon S3 is that AWS limits resources by location, so some areas may have fewer resources than others. It can also be challenging to find out how many resources you’ve used, although you can request a resource increase if needed. In addition to this, new users are limited as to how many resources they can use and how much money they can spend until their membership is more established. This is to prevent hackers using AWS’ resources for malicious attacks.
Common Cloud Computing Problems
If you store your data on your MacBook but are considering moving your data to the cloud, it’s normal to be worried about common cloud computing concerns. You might be worried about service downtime and being unable to access your files when you need them. Perhaps privacy and security are your key concerns. Or maybe you’re losing sleep over data leakage risks, particularly if you work with sensitive personal data. Other issues include limited control over your account and data, and backup protection. Because Amazon S3 is so well established and popular, the service already has these concerns covered, so you don’t need to worry about them.
