ownCloud - File Sync
Do you know where your data is?
Business users are increasingly turning to cloud-based file sharing services because they are easy to set up and use. Employees can share files with co-workers, customers and partners, and synchronize documents across laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. Operating completely outside of IT’s control, however, employees often place sensitive data on public servers and share it without oversight, leading to security and policy violations that cannot be prevented or tracked. Until now.
The Dangers of Consumer Grade File Sharing
The unauthorized use of cloud-based file sharing services in the enterprise has become so significant that IT analysts have dubbed it the “Dropbox problem”. In a recent research report, Gartner warned, “consumer-grade file sync and share solutions are a risk to most organizations’ sensitive data.”
To be clear, the “Dropbox problem” is not isolated to one vendor. It is more broadly defined to mean the use of any cloud-based file sharing vendor that targets individuals (i.e., consumers and employees) with simple, inexpensive file sharing solutions. These services are seductively accessible – often free, and requiring only a name and email address – yet they are functional enough to cause irrecoverable security breaches when misused by well-intentioned employees.
ownCloud Explained
Owncloud is a file sync server similar to the popular Dropbox or Microsoft's OneDrive/SkyDrive. The biggest difference with Owncloud is the level of control. Owncloud's server side can be installed either as an on-premise server or hosted (webhost, VPS). With this level of control you can choose who and where your sensitive data is stored and thus leverage local intellectual property and privacy laws to protect your sensitive data.
Owncloud also gives you the power to create and modify users and give each user a data limit. You can also share files between users within your Owncloud enviroment or send password protected links to external users with an expiration date.
Dial A Nerd can help you in setting up your own Owncloud server or can host one for you either on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or our shared hosted platform.
How can I get ownCloud?
On-Premise
Dial A Nerd can supply and/or install ownCloud onto a new or existing server. Please contact us for pricing.
Shared Hosting (Cloud) - Hosting Provided by Dial A Nerd
Below price is per user.
| Storage Size | Cost per month (inc GST) |
| 10GB | $7.70 |
| 20GB | $11.00 |
| 30GB | $14.30 |
Dedicated Virtual Server (Cloud) - Hosting Provided by Dial A Nerd
Want to have dedicated server hardware for your ownCloud server without purchasing and running a server onsite
Below are examples of configuration specs. Speak with us so we can tailor the specs to suit your needs.
| Operating System | # CPUs | HDD Size | RAM | Cost per month (inc GST) |
| CentOS/Debian/Ubuntu | 2 | 50GB | 512MB | $66.00 |
| CentOS/Debian/Ubuntu | 2 | 100GB | 512MB | $121.00 |
| CentOS/Debian/Ubuntu | 2 | 150GB | 512MB | $176.00 |
| CentOS/Debian/Ubuntu | 2 | 200GB | 512MB | $231.00 |
Installation of server operating system and ownCloud is free of charge.
Note: All plans include unlimited data transfer.
Please read my What is the "Cloud"? page if you are looking at a hosted solution.