Top 8 Ways to Keep Your Data Safe & Secure in the Cloud​

January 16, 2017

The current breaches of data within the cloud don’t link back to a breach of the cloud itself. 

What are security vulnerabilities in that Cloud? 

Major cloud providers have never had their cloud storage facilities breached. The breaches were in password protection. The hackers accessed the data through individual user accounts. This means the cloud remains one of the most powerful options for storing your data.  

How is data protected? 

Cloud vendors deploy several techniques to keep your data safe. Copies of all your data files are typically stored in more than one geographic location so customers can maintain reliable access in the event of a fire, flood, or natural disaster that impacts a building full of servers. 

Vendors like Amazon Web Services, Google and Windows Azure have government and business certifications and business processes that ensure cloud storage and security practices meet strict regulation and compliance standards. 

How you can keep your data safe 

  1. Be serious about using strong passwords - Long and randomized passwords or phrases of 26 characters should be used for data stored on the cloud. Don’t use the same password twice. Consider implementing a policy that requires users to change their password on a regular basis and employ platform tools that automatically log workers out of there systems when not in use

  2. Encrypt data- Encryption is the best way you can protect your data in route and when stored. You can use a storage service with your provider to encrypt the data at rest or you can encrypt it yourself. You should seek advice and regular validations from a respected data security consultant, so you know your data is truly secure. 

  3. Use two-factor authentication - Multi-factor authentication is a proven method of protecting customer data which requires users to verify their identity in more than one way to prevent unauthorized system access.  This can be done by implementing an additional service through your cloud provider.  It is often as simple as setting the system to automatically trigger a verification email or text when they attempt to login. 

  4. Implement policy based user access - In today's world with multiple devices access the data and being able to save it, companies need to be able to control what can be done with the data depending on how it is accessed. Implementing policy based user access is critical to controlling data and where it can be stored or accessed. Cloud providers today have solutions which can meet this need.  

  5. Create and validate backups - The cloud offers redundancy and protection of the systems being operational, but doesn’t protect from deletion or corruption of data. You still need to back up your data in the cloud. Backups within the cloud itself is the simplest and fastest way to restore data.  

  6. Use monitoring tools - Using activity and online activity monitoring tools can show you who is accessing your systems and what they are doing. Vigilant monitoring will help quickly to identify and troubleshoot security issues when they arise. This protection is important to stop or quickly shutdown attacks on your data. 

  7. Delete it when the data is no longer needed - In a time of seemingly limitless storage, it can be hard to come to terms with the idea that e-mail messages or files might outlive their importance. But to ensure no one sees potentially damaging information which is past its time to retain. It should be deleted. If messages or other files really must exist forever, back them up before deleting them. 

  8. Use smart browsing - If you’re accessing the cloud on a public computer, remember to log out and never save password info. Make sure you are using as system with an updated Malware/Virus Scanner installed. Make sure to clear all cookies.  Smart browsing is always critical to protecting your data on any system. 

 

Your data can be secure in the cloud 

The cloud can be a key to protecting your data in the modern age. The convenience of the cloud and the affordability of it can make it a viable solution for your business. Choosing the right provider should be your main priority. Ask questions and make it clear what you expect from them. Make sure you follow the eight steps above to keep your data safe. 

 

Jeff Veith
About the Author

Jeff Veith
Data Center Manager​

Jeff has over 22 years of information technology and management experience. While he has specialized in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Financial, and Education verticals. He has extensive experience with the design, architecture, and implementation of Data Center operations. Jeff has worked with clients on designing, developing and implementing cost-effective solutions to meet business objectives.  Jeff leads all aspects of the solution design including solution concept, requirements gathering, environment setup, configuration, documentation and training.   

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