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With number of advantages, cloud security also brings security issues related with it, which arises from its very nature - being online. The security issues can never be resolved completely, but can be reduced to a large extent, if managed properly
Fremont, CA: Cloud-based services have changed the face of businesses. They bring number of advantages, both technically and financially to an enterprise and also eliminates the cost of hardware that becomes highly obsolete, each year. Cloud services enable the applications and data views accessible from any remote geographical locations through web-based applications and mobile apps.
The cost of buying and maintaining server capacity can also be eliminated in a business. It also solves the scalability problems that arise when a business grows and contracts over time. The only problem that doesn't get solved is the security issues related to it, which arises from its very nature - being online. The security issues can never be resolved completely but can be reduced to a large extent if managed properly.
Let's look at three security issues related to the cloud and what should be done to reduce them.
Loss of Data
Malware attacks from various hackers usually hold the data and ask the owner to pay them to release the data, failing to which they destroy the data completely. There are also hackers who intend to damage data and make the servers inoperable and block access. Data loss may also result from hardware failure or natural disasters.
The key way to mitigate those data losses is to identify the vital data and have enough back up of them so that the data is never actually lost. The best way is transferring those data to the cloud, which doesn't require any hardware and is also available always on-demand. The best option is to have the backup of the data in the cloud as well as backups in hardware as any single backup may be too vulnerable.
Insider Fraud
Insider fraud means the data breach is done by any employee of the company or anyone from the cloud service provider team. Employees have easy access to the critical information of a company, and they can anytime ditch the company for any outsider who wants to steal customer data or just for revenge.
The best way to protect data from such cases is to put monitoring and strong access controls into place. While outsourcing infrastructure to a cloud service, it should be well researched as to how much controls they have in place to protect the data. Encrypting data, that are not in use and controlling who can access it are a few more ways to discourage insider threats.
Regulatory Problems
Regulatory sanctions have become an integral part of the bunch of issues that impact a business's bottom line, in terms of internet security risks. It's both an external as well as internal issue, as it's not a security risk by itself, but instead industry and legal frameworks that require you to handle security risks appropriately.
A business must comply with the regulations like the American medical industry's HIPAA regulations or Europe's GDPR. Even while opting for cloud service providers, it must be ensured that they comply with such business regulations or not. This might include carrying out audits or commissioning independent studies.
Also see:- Top Cloud Consulting/Services Companies
