Storing business data on local company servers is still valid and widespread. However, the changing norms concerning physical attendance and increased reliance on service-based solutions are at odds with the practice. Businesses of all sizes are embracing cloud storage as a cost-effective, scalable, and approachable alternative. Is it as viable when it comes to data security, though, and is your business data really safe in the cloud?
In this article, we explore the factors that contribute to the increased safety of cloud storage. We also consider the disadvantages that come with it and offer practical advice on overcoming them.
The Many Benefits of Cloud Storage
To answer the question in the title, cloud services can – and do – make business data storage safer and more robust. Here are the advantages to consider.
Digital & off-site
Losing data is among the most devastating blows a business can suffer, so implementing a backup strategy is a core responsibility. Creating backups in the cloud gives employees access to an accessible digital version of it, as opposed to relying only on a hard drive copy.
Moreover, cloud providers house data on servers in different locations, sometimes worldwide. That takes care of the off-site backup requirement. Such a copy enables businesses to recover more quickly from crises like elemental disasters, physical damage, or hardware theft. It also mitigates the rising ransomware threat since there’s always a separate copy to fall back on.
Redundancy
Reputable cloud storage providers never save just one copy of a business’s data. Uploading automatically creates multiple copies on different servers. That ensures a hardware malfunction or other localized problem has little or no impact on access or integrity.
Encryption
Reputable cloud storage providers implement complex encryption to ensure data security. Doing so scrambles its contents, making it nonsensical and useless to thieves even if they successfully breach the provider’s other defenses. Some providers even offer zero-knowledge encryption, meaning they have no access to or knowledge of the data a business stores on their servers.
Access control
Comprehensive access control policies ensure only users with the right credentials and motives can interact with a company’s data. Cloud storage makes it easy to set up roles and limit user interaction based on their access level and current needs. Additionally, stringent access policies allow the creation of thorough activity logs and audits that can identify suspicious behavior and expose insider threats.
Security management & upkeep
Data safety on a business’s local network depends on several prerequisites. Specifically, security only works if the company’s IT team is up to speed on the latest cybersecurity threats and implements best practices to combat them. Switching to the cloud gets rid of the guesswork.
Cloud storage providers employ some of the world’s leading data storage and security experts. Continuous monitoring and implementation of cutting-edge security features are part of the job description. Such dedication relieves some of a company’s IT talent’s burdens while making its networks less desirable attack targets.
Are There Risks?
Cloud storage might be the safer alternative, but it’s not completely immune to threats. No protective measure is. Consider these potential shortcomings before making the switch.
Data breaches
Businesses are entrusting ever larger portions of their most sensitive data to the cloud. Unsurprisingly, this makes storage providers some of the most enticing cyberattack targets. According to a security study, close to 40% of businesses experienced breaches in their general cloud environments in 2023. Such breaches affected cloud storage in 36% of cases.
Encrypted data will remain unusable even if accessed during a breach. Not all storage providers offer encryption. Even those that encrypt business data don’t all share the same high standards and policies.
Vendor lock-in
Relying on a cloud storage provider comes with the risk of developing a dependency. The arrangement may work well initially but can become a burden over time. The provider might raise prices or not be able to meet the upscaling in infrastructure a growing business needs. By then, a company may become so dependent on a specific provider’s services that severing ties becomes too impractical or costly.
Mandatory internet access
Taking full advantage of cloud storage presupposes a fast and stable internet connection. While coverage is adequate in most places, businesses in rural areas or ones affected by frequent storms and outages might not find cloud storage as reliable.
How Can Businesses Improve Cloud Storage Data Safety?
A comprehensive company-wide cybersecurity policy is the most effective means of boosting data storage safety.
For example, encryption is an unclear point you can address. Encrypting the most sensitive data in-house may be beneficial before handing it over to an outsider. Such data is harder to work with but undeniably safer.
The transfer process is a potential weak point you can address by using an enterprise-level virtual private network. Implementing one lets employees access company resources or upload files to cloud storage from anywhere. The encrypted connection all VPN traffic passes through ensures data remains safe in transit. Any IP addresses remain hidden so that no one can track employee activities.
Yet, businesses must ensure they choose a reliable VPN provider. Sources like the VPN comparison table and customer reviews come in handy when comparing providers available in the market.
Most cloud storage data breaches happen due to human error. Reusing passwords other breaches expose is a major threat, as is falling for phishing scams. Password managers and multi-factor authentication can prevent breaches through leaked or stolen credentials.
Ads are a security risk few consider. Some are malware in disguise and may lead careless employees to sites where they could expose cloud storage logins and other sensitive data. Thus, all employees must learn how to block ads. Encouraging employees to install an ad blocker will minimize the risk of such incidents while boosting productivity.
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with a provider’s Terms of Service before committing. They should outline the provider’s security and privacy policies, address data ownership concerns, and offer ways of terminating the contract without putting your business at a disadvantage.
Conclusion
The increased decentralization of services and employees means cloud storage will only gain popularity. It’s in the providers’ best interest to continually invest in and develop their security. Even so, each business can take extra steps to make already secure storage even more reliable.
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