Systems and methods are disclosed for accessing data on a storage system. An apparatus, such as a data storage device or a computing device, may include a memory configured to store data. The apparatus is configured to receive a request for a file stored in a storage system. The storage system includes a private storage cloud and a set of public storage clouds. The apparatus is also configured to determine whether the file is retrievable from the set of public storage clouds. If the file is retrievable from the set of public storage clouds the apparatus may determine whether access to the set of public storage clouds is faster than access to the private storage cloud and may retrieve the file from one or more of the private storage cloud and the set of public storage clouds.