When businesses go online, they seek cloud services to store their data, records, files, and whatnot. With so much sensitive information stored in cloud servers, they turn out to be at risk of cyber-attacks and data theft. Since so much data is at stake, cloud security is essential and is one of the topmost priorities of cloud users and cloud service providers.
Let’s dive into cloud security and its importance.
An overview of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a vast industry, with almost 77 percent of all enterprises using cloud computing services in some form or type. Cloud computing offers several benefits, including decreased capital overheads, IT infrastructure management, and at-scale operation. Cloud deployment is divided into various types, and you can select the one based upon your business requirements. In general, cloud deployment is divided into three categories.
#1. Public cloud
Third-party providers operate a public cloud, and companies can choose the amount of storage they want and pay accordingly. The storage is flexible, and companies can change it as per their needs. The external provider of the cloud is responsible for the maintenance, security, and uptime of the cloud server.
#2. Private cloud
If an organization is not willing to share its cloud server with other users, it can use a private cloud server. Although private cloud deployment is more expensive, it offers more customization, along with better security and maintenance.
#3. Hybrid cloud
A hybrid cloud is a combination of both public and private clouds. Using a hybrid cloud offers security with scalability, and is suitable for organizations that want high-end encryption with rapid scalability.
Why is cloud security important?
Cloud servers store some of the most critical data, including user information, business plans, military information, and much more. Let’s discuss the significance of cloud security.
#1. Protection against security breaches
Security breaches can put companies into obscuring predicaments, costing millions of dollars and several months to recover. The risk of a security breach increases when companies use the public or hybrid cloud because, in that case, the third-party provider is responsible for cloud security.
To effectively combat this risk, companies should choose a reputed, trustworthy cloud provider that prioritizes security. Although all cloud providers prioritize security, you should go the extra mile to make sure the provider ensures top-tier security.
#2. Remote work management
Cloud computing enables you to access data anytime and anywhere. You can upload sensitive documents on your cloud server, making it accessible to other employees. This easy exchange of information offers efficiency and flexibility by reducing complicated data exchange operations.
However, this data is vulnerable to cyber attacks, as well. Some employees are not aware of cyber threats and cybersecurity practices, and end up making mistakes that can be detrimental for your company. For example, if your employees are working from a cafe and using public Wi-Fi, they are vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks. Most cyberattacks are carried out on public networks because they are less secured and easy to breach.
#3. Disaster recovery
Data losses are frequent, especially on cloud servers. Data loss can be a result of several factors and mishappenings, which can bring your business at a standstill. Although data loss is an unpleasant experience, cloud providers make sure they have a disaster recovery plan. Disaster recovery helps you recover the lost data, and then enables your businesses to get going without suffering data loss consequences.
#4. Regulatory compliance
Your business must comply with HIPAA and GDPR if you don’t want to incur penalties and takedowns. These security standards are essential to follow, as they ensure the security and integrity of customer information. Since most of the data stored by companies in the cloud are customer information, protecting that data is vital for every company. A data leak can be hazardous and can put your customers’ privacy and security at risk. Moreover, in instances of data leaks, regulatory bodies will hold you responsible, and blaming your cloud solutions provider will not be a solution.
If your company belongs to a highly regulated industry like banking, health, or finance, even a minor data leak or security breach can put your business at stake. However, reputed cloud providers keep these regulations in mind and make sure no rules and regulations are offended.
#5. Access levels
Data leaks to the public are common, but not because of cyber attacks but poor security practices. Data leaks to the public might not be as critical as data theft but can hinder your business integrity and brand reputation. This point is vital because no matter how good your cloud infrastructure & security is if you and your employees don’t adhere to cybersecurity practices, your business will always be vulnerable. The best practice to avoid access to sensitive information to only those individuals who need it.
Do you need Cloud Security?
Whether you are a personal user or a business owner, cloud security is essential for you. If you are a business owner, your customers have the right to confidentiality, and as a business, you are legally bound to keep customer data secure. Moreover, if your business belongs to the banking or healthcare sector, you will need to follow more stringent data security rules. To ensure you don’t run into data leak and data theft problems, choose your cloud provider wisely.
How to improve Cloud Security?
Here are a few tips for improving your cloud security.
● Deploy multi-factor authentication to ensure only authorized individuals get access to your cloud data.
● Set different levels of authorization.
● Monitor user activities and detect intruders using automated solutions
● Create an extensive off-boarding process to protect your data against departing employees.
● Provide basic cybersecurity training to employees, especially for protection against phishing attacks.
● Use cloud-to-cloud backup solutions to ensure you can retrieve your data in case of data loss.
Conclusion
One of the major factors to consider while managing your cloud technology is cloud security. A less-secured cloud server can be vulnerable to cyber attackers, which can result in various legal and business-related problems. Luckily, cloud security is not a hard thing to achieve. All you need to do is choose a reputed cloud service provider, and train your employees for basic cybersecurity practices.
