Online Back-up Versus Cloud Storage - What’s the Difference?
June 8, 2022
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4
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Highlights
It’s easy to see how some might get a little tied up in the difference between online back-up and cloud storage, given that both work with personal or business data online and store files safely outside the computer hard drive or as an alternative to the in-house server.
The biggest difference lies in the fact that cloud storage allows multiple users to collaborate, share and edit information at the same time, while online back-up tends to be used by businesses who want to store information safely until they need it again.
What is an online back-up service?
As the name suggests, online back-up is made possible by a programme that makes a back-up copy of your files and saves them on a secure online server. It’s a failsafe that means if something were to happen to your computer, you could simply load the programme again, hit restore, and your data will reappear, just as before.
It’s one of the simplest ways to back-up your computer, and because the information is held off-site, it’s secured, encrypted and maintained by teams of professional administrators, so you can rest easy, knowing it’s in safe hands.
Its simplicity might also be called out as one of its biggest limitations however, because it’s designed to simply back-up and restore in the case of a disaster. But… the back-up will be computer specific, so it won’t sync files across other computers or devices, which can make the restoration process a lengthy one.
And, while online back-up offers unlimited storage, because you’re backing up information that sits on your computer, you’re essentially limited to your computer’s storage.
Who uses online back-up?
That could be anything from family photos or personal finance information to a business’s sales figures, accounting information and HR files.
It’s about having a safe place for information that you don’t need universal access to, or want to continuously amend or update.
What is cloud storage?
While online back-up stores a copy of your files, cloud computing provides online space to store whatever you want, and allows unlimited access from any internet connection and from any device. That means you can tap into cloud-stored information whenever and wherever you want, using computers, TVs, game consoles, or remote working devices such as laptops, mobiles and tablets.
It’s genuinely unlimited in terms of space too, because there’s no restriction to the amount of data that can be stored on the cloud.
Lots of cloud services are supported by apps, which means users can access information via secure links and use the information freely as part of their normal working day.
Services such as Dropbox and OneDrive will integrate with your computer, so you can access information on the cloud just like any other folder on your desktop or laptop. The services go one step further than access too, syncing all activity so documents are automatically updated if edits are made.
Unlike most online back-up services, many cloud storage service providers offer a free starter plan with a limited amount of space that might well be enough for the average person or even a small business.
The key is working out your requirement before you dive in and sign up, and understanding the licensing agreement, as the costs can mount up if storage is a big issue for you. So, do the sums first and act with figures in mind, so you don’t get any nasty surprises down the line.
Who uses cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a go-to for businesses who work with active data – information that flows in and out, and is subject to frequent change at any time from multiple users.
That could be a publisher and a writer working at separate ends of the country, or a business with offices dotted across Europe that need to share information and facilitate team collaboration across multiple cities.
It’s a much more interactive solution for users who are on the go, but need all the same reassurances around security, encryption and protected access.
Advice from the IT professionals
If you are unsure which option is best for your business, you should seek the help of an IT consulting service, who can assess your needs and advise accordingly.
By asking all the right questions up-front, a good IT consultant or service provider can get a detailed understanding of how your organisation operates now, how close you currently come to reaching your business and operational objectives, and what your IT roadmap for expansion should look like.
Using this, they can help identify where any gaps exist, where IT improvements can be made, and which services will support your technical needs and employees best.
By taking a full business view and applying the insights gained from working with other businesses in your industry, an IT consulting service can create tailored back-up and storage solutions that will not only save you time and money, but add to overall business effectiveness and give you a future-thinking plan that allows for growth.
Find out how the right IT solutions can help your business grow.
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For many landlords and building managers, the word “wayleave” feels like the responsible route whenever a fibre circuit is being installed on their property. It sounds formal and safe – a neat legal box to tick.
In many cases, however, a wayleave adds unnecessary complexity and delays, frustrates tenants, and can expose landlords to long-term legal risks.
At Vorboss, we’ve connected thousands of office spaces across London without a wayleave, keeping landlords in full control and getting tenants online faster.
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A wayleave is a written agreement between a landowner and a telecoms operator. It gives the operator permission to install and keep equipment on private property.
What many people don’t realise is that signing a wayleave also activates “Code rights” under the Electronic Communications Code. These rights go beyond simple permission, they give the operator legal powers to stay on the property indefinitely, access it when needed, and even refuse removal of their equipment in certain situations.
For a typical connection into a commercial building in London, a wayleave can make the fibre installation process slower, more expensive, and limit the landlord’s flexibility long term.
Why a wayleave isn’t required for standard in-building fibre connections
For a standard in-building fibre connection serving a tenant, a wayleave isn’t a legal requirement. Important protections, like building access, fire safety, repairing any damage, and removing equipment, are already covered by the tenant’s lease and usual building rules.
If no wayleave is signed, no Code rights are triggered, meaning the landlord retains full control and the installation exists under a simple, fully revocable licence.
In practice, this gives landlords far more protection and flexibility:
- No legal lock-in – the telecoms operator has no long-term rights to stay or refuse removal.
- Landlords keep full control – equipment can be moved or removed when the building changes.
- Faster fibre installation – no time lost in drafting contracts or solicitor reviews.
- Happier tenants – connections go live quicker; tenants get to move in faster.
By contrast, signing a wayleave and granting Code rights introduces a complex and expensive legal process for any fibre removal or relocation. This can take at least 18 months, plus potential court or tribunal proceedings, making it slower, and far less flexible for the landlord.
Public services across central London are evolving, and the City of London Corporation is leading the way.
Whether you work, live or study in the Square Mile, you’ll soon feel the difference that faster, more dependable connectivity brings.
What is the Future Network Programme?
The City of London Corporation is rolling out the Future Network Programme, a major project to modernise its entire digital infrastructure and bring everything under one unified network.
From offices and schools to iconic green spaces like Hampstead Heath, cultural destinations like the Barbican, and historic markets such as Leadenhall and Old Spitalfields, this upgrade will mean more reliable connectivity across the City’s buildings and public spaces.
It also extends to essential services, including critical sites run by the City of London Police. This enhanced connectivity will support everything from secure communication systems to faster, more resilient networks for emergency operations.
Leading this transformation is Roc Technologies, supported by Juniper Networks and Palo Alto Networks; all powered by the Vorboss fibre network. Together, we’re bringing the City onto a modern digital foundation that’s ready to support its future.
Who the Future Network Programme benefits and how?
The programme is designed for everyone who depends on public services in the Square Mile:
- Students in City-run schools will have fast, reliable connectivity to fully access digital learning tools.
- Public-sector teams will experience smoother hybrid working, better access to online platforms, and more efficient collaboration across locations.
- Residents and visitors will see improvements in public Wi-Fi, digital services, and online access in libraries, community hubs, and other shared spaces.
- The City of London Police will gain a more secure, faster and resilient network that enhances CCTV reliability and enables more effective frontline operations.
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