Secure Cloud Data: 3 Ways to Keep Your Data Safe on the Cloud

Secure Cloud Data

Discussing different ways to secure cloud data. Is the information you store in the cloud safe? That is the question in the minds of most business which store their data in the cloud. Data security is crucial for the smooth operation of businesses.

The numerous benefits of cloud storage are the reason why this form of storage is popular among businesses. These range from cost savings and regulatory compliance to malware and ransomware protection.

While the cloud is one of the safest places to keep your data, it is not foolproof. If you have not put the right measures in place, your information could still be at risk. You must safeguard your data to avoid losses and possible litigations from the data breach. How do you ensure that your data is safe in the cloud?

Ways to Secure Cloud Data

Secure Cloud Data – Below are 3 ways:

1. Choose the best cloud servers – Secure Cloud Data

When you want to transit to the cloud, choosing the best cloud server providers in India should be a top priority. A lot of thought should go into the provider you choose. Some of the factors to consider are:

Uptime Guarantee

Providers will inevitably encounter some downtimes as they maintain and upgrade the system. How long these downtimes take is what you should consider. Consider the provider who guarantees the lowest downtime.

Disaster Recovery Plan

The provider should also have a disaster recovery plan to get your systems up after an unexpected event. The company should outline the types of risks that can affect your business as well as the mitigation procedures.

Frequent Backup

Another factor to consider is whether the company offers backup and how frequent its backup services are. Backup facilities should at least backup data every day.

Security

Security is also of paramount importance when you are contracting a cloud service provider. Check for security features such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication. The provider should also offer adequate support in cases of any IT issues.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Before you get into any agreement, evaluate the Service Level Agreement (SLA) thoroughly, ensuring that it defines how the service provider will compensate you if the system fails to live up to standard.

2. Don’t store sensitive information in the cloud – Secure Cloud Data

The first step to securing your highly sensitive data is to know how to classify your data. You need three minimum levels of data which are:

• Public data – This is non-sensitive data which anyone can have access to without resulting in any risks
• Confidential data– moderately sensitive and when exposed to the wrong persons can cause moderate risks. Such data is internal or company-owned. Sometimes, only certain departments in a business can access such information.
• Restricted data –This is data that requires the topmost level of security as any leakage could cause great losses for the company.

Avoid storing highly sensitive information in the cloud. If you must, ensure that you encrypt it before uploading it to the cloud, use a strong unique password, and you have enabled at least two-factor authentication.

See Also: Set Password with Winrar

When you are outsourcing cloud services, you should understand the provider’s policies. That includes knowing who has access to your data and the communication process should there be a data breach.

3. Adopt organization-wide security policies

You should always adopt security policies and more so when you are using the cloud. Insider threats account for the highest number of security threats. These include threats from current employees and those who have left your business

You need to evaluate your password and general security practices and make them sturdier by:

• Educate your employees

When people know the importance of the data available, they will take the necessary security measures seriously.

Make all staff aware of your security policies, train them to apply them well, and let them understand their responsibility for the security of your firm’s information.

• Adopt change audit solutions

All changes made in the IT system must be documented. If IT professionals fail to document changes, they make data leaks more difficult to detect. Whenever a user accesses data, there should be a tracking system especially if the data is very sensitive.

With a real-time change audit solution, you can detect a breach in the early stages and take corrective action in time.

Final Words

Cloud storage is an excellent way for you to save your data. You should, however, go the extra mile to ensure that you protect it. The first step is to source cloud services from the best provider. These services must be secure and there needs to be a service agreement to guide you in case the company does not deliver on its promises.

Your workforce is also crucial to the security of your systems. You should educate them on the required security measures. Finally, classifying your data into public, confidential, and restricted data; the most sensitive latter; helps you to secure cloud data better.