How to Protect Your Cloud Data
Outsourcing data storage can save your company a lot of money, but how do you know your information will be safe in the cloud? Cloud computing is now commonplace, but unfortunately, security breaches are becoming all too common.
Here are five smart practices for keeping your company’s data safe in the cloud.
1. Use strong passwords.
This tip might seem obvious, but the number of breaches resulting from weak passwords begs to differ. A cloud service can only be as strong as the password used to protect it, so make sure yours is strong. Use at least 10 characters, with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, and symbols. Nonsensical passwords are best — it should not include a word that appears in the dictionary.
Some Cloud providers can use you company’s passwords authentication system usingSecurity Assertion Markup Language (SAML) . This reduces the number of passwords an employee needs to keep track and streamlines how users interact with cloud solutions.
2. Protect your connection.
One of the main differences between using a cloud computing service and using traditional software is that, with a cloud service, all data exchanged between the user and service passes over the Internet. Since everything you see on the screen, and everything you type into your browser passes through this connection, a middleman could intercept information if you aren’t careful.
Choose cloud providers that use strong encryption for all data transferred between the cloud and your computers.
3. Check your provider’s security policy.
Most cloud computing providers explain their data security systems and methods in detail, so look for a security statement on the home page of your provider or any potential one. At minimum, the policy should ensure that SSl encryption is used. You might also check to see how frequently information is backed up and where it is stored. The best cloud providers are audited, certified, or both, by independent agencies. These credentials ensure that their security policies are up to standards.
4. Perform your own backups.
Depending on your confidence in you cloud provider, perform periodic backups on your own servers in addition to the backup provided by your cloud service. No system is foolproof, so this added step will provide you with an extra layer of security. Set up your own system to periodically download data kept on your cloud service, and then back it up as you would your computer.
5. Train employees to be responsible in the cloud.
Make sure your entire workforce understands how they can contribute to cloud safety so nothing slips through the cracks. Just like other areas of technology, user training is critical for compliance. Anyone who accesses a cloud service needs to learn strong security habits.
Ask us about the PC Corp Cloud Backup solution. Our multi-layer secured solution for backup and disaster recovery ensures that your data is easy to access for your business continuity. Email: info@pccorp.com Phone: 780-428-3000 option 3 (sales)