Then you might want to reconsider.
Cloud-hosting is not only fast becoming the preferred hosting-solution of some of the world’s largest organisations, it is also incredibly secure and reliable.
STAY SECURE IN THE CLOUD
You might think that a couple of physical servers in the basement is, by far, a more secure data storage solution for your exam data than cloud-hosting, since, well, it is physical. You can touch it and see it. We get why something palpable can feel more secure. But it is just not true anymore. Cloud-hosting, such as Amazon Web Service, provides thorough security measures to ensure the safety and accessibility of your data at all times.
A cloud-hosting service usually relies on redundancy. This means that the service stores a minimum of three copies of every piece of data in different places. By applying this practice, the only risk of data loss is if all three pieces of data at all three locations disappear or is compromised at the exact same time. The practice of redundancy storage ensures an absolute minimum risk of loss of data and implies a much smaller risk than a single local server crashing, thereby risking data loss.
For access security, your credentials such as passwords and usernames are the only way to access your files. This provides the same amount of security as the data storage solutions you know and trust. The only danger here is on your end, measured by how well you protect your own local devices. This risk will be a concern no matter what data storage solution you choose. To make it brief: cloud-hosting is as secure or more than local hosting. What really matters are the benefits you get from using cloud-hosted software.
CLOUD CONVENIENCE: FLEXIBLE, SCALABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
Cloud-hosted exam and assessment software can provide an incredible amount of flexibility to the users of the system.
By placing the exam data in the cloud, it is made accessible wherever you are. All you need is an internet connection – and most people have 4G phones these days, right?
You can even access it on your preferred device, as long as your exam software supplier is serious with their stuff. This means you can bring your business of assessing exams with you to your couch and do it on your iPad.
Hosting exam data in the cloud provides a solid basis for easy collaboration with peers, as you all have 24/7 online access to assess exams in unison with updates in real-time.
Cloud-hosting also means great scalability. You have all the data handling capabilities you need when exams are peaking, but as soon as the exams are over, it can immediately scale down to lower ‘wattage’, meaning you only pay for what you use instead of keeping peak bandwidth open all year long.
This even means that cloud hosting is more environmentally friendly, as it uses less energy, whereas local physical servers take a great toll on resources – as well as your budget. If you use local servers, you are only able to scale according to your maximum needs. So, if your scaling needs are serious, you will be running a large idle on your servers a lot of the time, as local servers cannot provide the same fluid availability as a cloud-solution. Plus, you need a dedicated watchman service to keep them running 24/7.
In short, cloud-hosting your software can rid you of many problems and budgetary difficulties.
CLOUD-HOSTING: WHO USES IT?
"So, if the cloud is so great, why don’t we know anyone who uses it?”
Well, you do.
NASA, for example. All their public media is stored and made accessible through cloud-hosting. And that is not all. Remember when they sent the Curiosity rover to Mars and broadcasted pictures and videos of the landing to the entire world? This was accomplished through cloud computing and cloud-based streaming.
Back on Earth, large corporations like McDonald’s, SIEMENS and PHILIPS have used cloud-based data storage to create platforms and solutions to improve their businesses. Government institutions such as the US Department of State have used it to build a platform with international reach.
In the automotive industry, it has made a huge impact. Both BMW and Mercedes use it and Tesla’s information exchange with their cars (literally every single bit of data from that giant rolling computer they call a car) is hosted on their own cloud.
Even older and more traditionally based organisations like the Royal Opera House and educational institutions like Harvard Medical School have incorporated cloud-solutions into their daily operations.
Maybe cloud-based technology and software are not as dangerous and unsafe as you think?
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Cloud hosting offers strong security measures such as data redundancy, controlled access through credentials, and continuous monitoring. In many cases, it is as secure, or more secure, than locally hosted servers.
Cloud providers store multiple copies of data in different locations. This redundancy means data loss would only occur if all copies failed simultaneously, making it far less risky than relying on a single local server.
No. While local servers may feel more secure because they are physical, they often lack redundancy and scalability. A single hardware failure can cause data loss, whereas cloud hosting minimises this risk through distributed infrastructure.
Cloud‑based software offers flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. Institutions can handle peak exam periods efficiently, collaborate in real time, and scale resources up or down, paying only for what they use.
Yes. Cloud‑based exam platforms allow assessors to access, mark, and review exams from anywhere with an internet connection, supporting flexible workflows and real‑time collaboration across teams.
Absolutely. Organisations such as NASA, major global corporations, government institutions, and universities rely on cloud hosting for mission‑critical systems, demonstrating broad trust in its security and reliability.