Cloud storage has advantages. It saves costs. It prevents data redundancy. Cloud storage is good from the perspective of regulatory compliance.
Yet, security is not guaranteed in the cloud. Account hijacking and threats can take place. Sensitive data can be lost. Cloud can become infected from malware. Data loss could be permanent.
A cloud security assessments company will examine and address all these vulnerabilities to ensure cloud storage works well for users and businesses.
We give some tips to store data safely in the cloud:
1. Create a local data backup
If data is backed up, you will retain a copy of it, in case of any loss. Make good electronic copies that are easy to access in case of any data corruption. You can store them on any external storage device like a USB or hard drive. You can also use an alternate cloud services provider to store your data backup.
2. Encrypt data
Pick a cloud service that has encrypted data. Data encryption adds a layer of security to files, making it secure even against the service providers. To gain access to the file, decryption would be required. A cloud security assessment company will ensure cloud storage services are equipped with data encryption. Check if the cloud service is tested for data encryption. If the cloud service does not have the feature to encrypt data, encrypt your data before uploading it to the cloud. This might be difficult and require support from third-party vendors, which would mean additional costs.
3. Use stronger passwords
Pick a cloud service provider that encourages the use of strong passwords. The more unique your password is, the more difficult it will be to crack it. Strong passwords often include numbers, special characters and a mix of capital and small letters. Passwords should be changed on a monthly basis to enhance security. A good cloud provider will send reminders to update your password regularly. Other than emphasizing on strong passwords, a cloud security vendor may ask for additional questions, in case the user forgets their password and wants to change it.
4. Limit storing of sensitive information
Storing on the cloud is convenient when compared to maintaining paper-based records. However, we should limit storing sensitive information, as much as possible. Hackers are eager to steal private information. Sensitive information may include passwords, bank account details, credit cards, and legal contracts. Unauthorized access to these items can be a source of immense distress.
5. Use anti-virus software
To ensure absolute security of your data, be an all-rounder. Keep in mind that security can be impacted from outside of the cloud as well. There can be many penetration points in a system that can give hackers access to information stored on your cloud service. Installing anti-virus software from where you log in to the cloud service will help you protect your information. Antivirus software may be free of cost or have a small price. Check out various antivirus software in the market, read their reviews and use one best fitting for your needs.