A computer-implemented method for using cloud-based storage to optimize data-storage operations may include: 1) receiving a request from a client device for instructions or directions for storing a data object, 2) accessing a data-placement policy that contains criteria for identifying storage systems suitable for storing the data object, 3) identifying, based at least in part on the data-placement policy, a plurality of storage systems for storing the data object, at least one of the storage systems including a third-party Internet-based storage system, and then 4) directing the client device to store the data object on the identified storage systems.