Safe in the cloud - 7 tips
Switching to a cloud-based infrastructure can make sense for many companies. To avoid any unpleasant surprises in terms of security, a few points should be taken into account.
Lower costs for hardware, maintenance and energy as well as less work for IT - more and more companies of all sizes are discovering the advantages of the cloud for themselves. Those who are considering outsourcing their data and services are now spoilt for choice. The security software manufacturer Eset gives companies helpful tips to ensure that migration to the cloud does not turn into a nasty surprise.
1. test who binds himself eternally
The number of cloud service providers is as diverse as the range on offer. However, it is not just the scope of services and platforms that should be decisive in the decision, but the overall package. What about the reputation of the provider and the contractual terms? What security precautions does the company offer and does it have the appropriate certifications?
After all, you are entrusting this service provider with your most important asset: your business data. A well-known company can therefore be considerably more expensive than a smaller, rather unknown provider. But when it comes to security, it's important not to skimp - otherwise what initially seemed inexpensive quickly turns into an expensive disaster.
2. what do I actually need?
As with every important decision in the company, the same applies here: Before you make it, you should be clear exactly what you need and what impact this decision will have on your day-to-day business and corporate goals.
For example, those who need a fast connection without delay and waiting time may experience disappointment. It may sound tempting to store data in the cloud and access it from anywhere. But when it comes to database requests, response time can have a significant impact on business. The same applies to real-time requests for large volumes of information - here, process optimization makes more sense in case of doubt than migration to the cloud.
3. encrypt information
A basic rule when handling data in the cloud is: encrypt everything that can be encrypted. This applies to the data itself, but also to the transmission. This requires additional effort and makes the processes somewhat more complex, but it also increases the security for confidential information.
Because no matter how secure and reliable a provider may be, no one can guarantee one hundred percent protection of the data. If there is a security breach, the encrypted data is not accessible to everyone.
4. access control
Even though data and applications are no longer physically inside the company, that doesn't mean they no longer need to be taken care of. Service providers offer a certain level of security measures and protect the infrastructure. But if companies leave the door open, all these measures are for nothing.
Therefore, access to data - similar to the company network - should also be restricted when using the cloud. Eset also advises the use of an additional protection mechanism such as two-factor authentication.
5. a backup is better than no backup
Backups are part of the absolute basic equipment in terms of data security. In most cases, this service is part of the framework agreement with the cloud provider. It's not just about protecting the data, but also whether it can be restored in the event of a loss. Therefore, Eset strongly recommends having your own regular backup of all stored information. This way, companies are not only able to check whether the cloud provider is fulfilling its part of the contract, but also ensure that the information is complete and available when it is needed.
6. thoroughly screen business conditions
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, companies should pay particular attention to the sections of the contract dealing with the handling of information, privacy and liability in the event of data loss. The availability of the service provider should also be regulated.
7. the cloud is also vulnerable to malware
It is a common misconception that the cloud is immune to malware. Just because the infrastructure is in the cloud does not mean that companies can do without a good and reliable security solution. Hardware, servers and services are still vulnerable.
Of course, the cloud can bring great advantages. It depends on the individual company which services and information are outsourced to the cloud. Either way, the migration must be as secure as possible!
