Cloud Storage

Gone are the days when we stored our most important documents, photographs and videos on CD’s and DVD’s, or even external hard drives. We know that these things can get lost or stolen. These days, you can store everything on a “cloud” – which is basically a term for a storage option that is maintained and protected by a company – and it is all done online!

While some companies charge for you to be able to store your documents online, others don’t. Some will give you a certain amount of space for free and then charge you if you want to increase that space.

Whenever you’re choosing a cloud storage option, you need to make sure that it is;

  1. Easy to use
  2. Secure
  3. Large enough for your needs

 

 

At the minute, for example, Google Drive are offering online storage for images, documents, files and photos for up to 15 gigs. To set up your cloud storage

 Before you can use Google Drive, you will either need to set up a Gmail account (an email account with Google) or you need to sign up for a Google account. You can find instructions on how to sign up for a Gmail account under chapter 1.2.

 

 

To sign up for a Google Account (without a Gmail address), you’ll need to follow these steps;

  1. Visit drive.google.com
  2. Click “sign in”
  3. Click “sign up”
  4. Fill in the required fields for a Google account
  5. Click to agree to the Terms of Service
  6. Click “create my account”


When you sign into Google Drive, you’ll will need an email address to sign in – you can use your existing email account or sign up for a Gmail account.

To set up your Cloud storage, follow these steps;

  1. Visit drive.google.com
  2. Click “sign in”
  3. You will need to input your email address and password
  4. Click “sign in”
  5. You will then be taken to a page where you can upload documents, filed and photos to the “cloud”
  6. First click “new” and then click “file upload”
  7. A dialogue box will pop up and you’ll be able to choose the files you want to upload to the cloud.

You’ll need to select the files you want from your computer or external drive, and then click the “open” button.

That’s it.

Once the files have been uploaded to your Google drive, you’ll be able to access them from anywhere, from any device with an internet connection.


Storing Documents

Make sure that you have copies of the documents below in hardcopy and in the cloud. This will give you access to all important documents no matter where you are in the world as long as you have access to the internet and Google.

i

Make 5 certified copies of

  • Your Id
  • Your Passport
  • Matric Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Your Degree and/or certificated
  • Drivers licence
  • Up to Date C.V

Scan and email or upload (Google Drive) copies of the following documents to yourself at once so it’s easy to find in a folder on your email titled “Important documents”

  • Your Id
  • Your driver’s license
  • Your Passport
  • Your Degree and/or certificates
  • Up to date C.V
  • Up to date proof of address
  • Your SARS Efiling profile details with your password questions
  • Your income tax number or certificate

Keep in a file (Hardcopy)

  • Your Id
  • Your Passport
  • Your Degree and/or certificated
  • Drivers licence
  • Up to Date C.V
  • Up to date proof of address
  • Your SARS Efiling profile details with your password questions
  • Your banking details confirmation

Top Tip:

Make sure that all documents that are certified are replaced with new ones within three months as usually companies will not accept certified documents if the date of certification is older than three months.