Cloud management systems have been an important tool to use this decade, and the area of technology for obvious reasons. As it allows data storage and management, it also aids in accessing information anytime, anywhere on the web. While cloud computing comes with a lot of benefits, however, if the question of security arises, we cannot be too sure about how secure the information is, especially the ones saved at a public cloud.
The safety issues faced can be broadly categorized into issues faced by cloud supplier and those faced by the client. The sales management system of cloud services, providers must make certain that their infrastructure is protected and their customers’ information is protected.
At the same time, clients must make certain they password-protect their programs and have other verification steps in place. Some of these commonly seen cloud security risks are:
- Loss ofsensitive information
- Violation of existing regulatory controls
- Malware infections
- Hacked interfaces
- Permanent data loss
- Abuse of cloud Support
- Insider threat
- Hijacking of accounts
However, the possible dangers to our data do not indicate they cannot be made secure. Cloud safety can be made effective if appropriate defensive measures are implemented. Here are a few practical tips that will make your cloud encounter risk-free.
1. Backup data locally
Among the most important things to consider while handling data is to make certain that you have backups for your information. It’s always great to have digital copies of your information so that you can keep on getting them even if the original has damaged or corrupted. You can either choose to back them up in another cloud management system, or manually back up in an external storage device. To be on the other hand, it would be great if you can do both because the latter will come in handy in instances during poor, or no internet connectivity.
2. Avoid storing sensitive information
Let us be honest. There is no such thing as real privacy on the world-wide-web, and the growth in the amount of identity thefts is standing evidence of it. So it is always a good idea to avoid storing information like passwords, credit/debit card information etc. on the cloud. Sensitive information could also be intellectual property such as patents and copyrights. Even if we take every possible precaution to protect them, this sort of information can land in a different individual/company’s data management system somehow, which then may result in potential data leakage.
3. Use Cloud Management systems which encrypt data
4. Encrypt your data
Before you upload your files to the cloud, it is always beneficial to encrypt your information, even if the cloud storage automatically encrypts them. There are lots of third-party encryption tools, which will apply encryption and passwords to files as soon as you’re finished editing them so that they’re encrypted before uploading.
5. Install anti-virus software
All of the above security measures could be taken to secure your information, but sometimes the issue is not cloud safety but the system you have logged in from. Hackers can easily access your account if there is not any appropriate protection in place for your system. In such cases, you are exposing yourself to viruses, which is a very bad thing in terms of privacy and hacking.
6. Make passwords stronger
This might be something you have heard over and over again. But still, it is extremely important to provide stronger passwords to keep your files from being hacked. There are websites offering suggestions on how best to form strong passwords. Aside from creating a solid and unique password, it is also important to change them regularly, and not discuss it with anybody. Most login pages nowadays have added identification questions to verify the authorized user.
7. Test the security measures in place
Rather than assuming that all files are perfectly protected on the cloud, some organizations, especially highly data-sensitive ones, hire certified ethical-hackers to check their security position. When it is possible for you to obtain unauthorized access to your own data, it is likely that someone else can too.
Cloud storage comes with its own set of benefits in several ways than one. But always keep in mind that security assurances are not guaranteed, yet potential. Adopting a few safety steps from our perspective can go a long way in keeping safe files off and on the cloud.
Always better to be safe than sorry, right?
