If you’re thinking of transitioning your business to the cloud, consider the security of the platform.
"Just ask one of the nearly seven million Dropbox users who had their accounts hacked."
While providers would like us to believe that the friendly, fluffy cloud image used to market the service means it is automatically secure, the reality is far different.
This is not meant to scare you, but to make you aware that cloud security needs to be taken seriously especially if you’re a business owner. To help you make a smooth and safe transition, we’ve put together a list of precautionary measures you can take to ensure cloud security.
Ask your IT provider what cloud security policies they have in place
This is probably the single most important security measure you can take. Find a trusted IT provider and have a candid conversation with them about their cloud security policies.
Ask where the physical cloud servers are located
When you have “the conversation,” don’t forget to ask about this. Believe it or not, some cloud servers may not even be located in your own country. Wherever they are, it’s wise to make sure they’re located in a safe data centre with proper security afforded to them.
Diamond IT runs its DCloud service from redundant connections in the Greater Newcastle area.
Create unique usernames and passwords
Your login credentials represent one of the cloud’s main security vulnerabilities. Think of a better password than “12345” or “football.”
Use industry standard encryption and authentication protocols
IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a reliable technology choice.
Encrypt data before it’s uploaded to the cloud
Encryption is a must, and can be done by you or your cloud service provider. Should hackers manage to access your data, they’ll find it useless because they can’t make heads or tails of it.
When it comes to trusting the security protocol of a cloud service provider, transparency is key. They should take security seriously, be able to explain their security policies clearly, and be willing to answer any questions. If they can’t do one of these, that’s a red flag telling you to find another vendor.
Talk to our team about our Cloud offerings
Our Business Technology Managers are ready to engage with you cloud services, and the associated security risks. For more information or assistance, give us a call on 1300 307 907 or contact us via the form below..
Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
