7 cloud computing security measures to take now

With no shortage of benefits, it’s easy to see why so many are making the move to the cloud. But, as with all cyber technology, there are risks involved. Cloud computing security is one of the biggest reservations companies have about making the change. In a world where cyber-attacks and data breaches are common, how can you trust your information will be safe?

While you might expect it’s the cloud provider’s responsibility to employ sufficient security measures, the responsibility prominently lies with the customer to ensure their data is secure. Here are some of the methods we recommend to keep yourself safe when using the cloud.

Multifactor authentication

Adopting multifactor authentication processes can help to keep your information secure from data breaches. If you currently use cloud services in your organisation, you’ll probably be familiar with these. Perhaps a code gets sent to your phone or you have single-use passwords in place. While this may be more time-consuming, it’s a simple step to take against cloud security threats.

Use strong passwords

Speaking of passwords, it’s crucial that users have strong passwords in place to begin with. We recommend using a password management service to store passwords. This allows you to create complex passwords without having to remember them, as well as share them across the company securely. We also recommend changing your passwords regularly for maximum security.

Permissions sharing

Another way to assist cloud computing security is to track who you allocate permissions to, as well as exactly what they can access with those permissions. Data can often be compromised through the lax sharing of credentials or not updating the systems when someone leaves the company or changes roles. Companies should ensure employees do not share their account details with anyone as another essential security measure.

Ensure encryption

We recommend that any data passed between your company and the cloud is encrypted. You can do this through a virtual private network (VPN), which ensures all users benefit from a standard level of encryption. As the name suggests, VPNs are private connections that nobody outside the network can access – especially useful for remote working. There are also several third-party encryption tools out there you can use to encrypt files before uploading them, should you prefer to do that.

Install anti-virus software

Sometimes cloud security isn’t at fault, it’s the system you’ve accessed it from. Shield yourself from hackers and malicious software by ensuring your anti-virus protection is up-to-date on every machine you use. This is particularly important for remote workers who use their own hardware – ensure there is a policy in place for this.

Back up your data

One of the most important cloud computing security measures you can take is backing up your data. It’s crucial to have a contingency plan in place should anything happen to your information, such as loss or corruption. You may opt to have a local back up or even utilise another cloud service – or do both. You can never have too many back-ups!

Put it to the test

Often the best way to ensure cloud security is to test it out. If you are a large organisation with highly sensitive information on the cloud, you can hire ethical hackers to assess how safe it really is. Your cloud provider should also be able to offer vulnerability testing, which should be an ongoing process to keep your security up-to-date.

While the potential security issues in cloud computing may seem daunting, the pros far outweigh the cons. Employing strong, but simple security measures and finding a trustworthy cloud provider will help to ensure your data is safe. Find out more about our cloud services and get in touch with the team today to discuss your migration.