In keeping up with the digital era, the cloud has proved to be a huge blessing. You no longer have to carry portable storage devices since cloud solutions can store your data online as well as provide you with ease of accessing it anywhere, anytime over an internet connection. However, as the number of people using cloud computing services continues to rise steeply, hackers are also getting more sophisticated in their attacks since they are aware of the huge amount of sensitive and valuable data online.
Since it’s hard to tell who else could be getting access to your organization’s sensitive data, maintaining this data’s integrity and sanctity should become a top priority. So how do you make sure your data is secure in the cloud? Here are eleven practical tips:
1. Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
As the first line of defence against cyber-attacks out there, you should create a strong password that can stand a cracking attempt or hacking. Apart from going for a unique and strong password, be sure to change it regularly and not repeat it on multiple online accounts you have. You ought to also make sure that the cloud service providers you use, offer two-factor authentication since this helps to double up your data’s security.
2. Back-Up Your Data Regularly
Backing up your data is essential, especially when you are dealing with a sizable volume of data. There might be some instances like system failure, power surge, robbery, faulty hard drive, etc. In such instances, the back-up of sensitive information that was stored physically could be the saviour. The backed-up data could be restored within a short time to keep the workflow as well as avoid losses.
3. Encrypt Your Data
Data encryption is one of the standard ways to code your data. Encryption adds a security layer such that your data can’t be copied, edited, or read by an unauthorized user. Therefore, you should deploy all-encompassing and sophisticated encryption solutions to encrypt your data before uploading it to the cloud.
4. Choose Cloud Services That Encrypt Your Data
Various cloud service providers offer various options for data handling and storage. Finding a cloud storage service that offers automatic data encryption means that anything you store or share with that provider will be secure. Additionally, this method protects your data against the service administrators and providers themselves.
5. Avoid Storing Sensitive Data
Avoiding storing sensitive or confidential information on your servers is an excellent milestone towards securing your data. Since compromising your organization’s sensitive data can lead to gruesome losses and troubles, you should always keep it away from hackers. Again, uploading sensitive information on the cloud could be risky for your clients too. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you keep personal information off the virtual world to secure it from hackers.
6. Install Anti-Virus and Anti-Spy Software
You may be using a safe cloud service provider that is trustable, but at times the weakest link happens to be the computer device you’re logging in from. Without proper protection, you could expose yourself to viruses and bugs that give cybercriminals access points to penetrate your accounts.
7. Be Aware of Your Online Behaviour
Your online behaviour could sometimes be responsible for the security of your data on the cloud. You should ensure that you don’t save passwords when using public desktops. Again, ensure you log out immediately you are done with the public computer to avoid giving strangers access to your data. Additionally, when making online shopping and payments, ensure you research all you need to know to avoid running into fraudulent sites.
8. Carefully Read The Terms and Conditions of Your Provider
When selecting a cloud service provider, you should always read through their terms and conditions to make sure that your images and data are not subject to distribution or modification. By carefully reading the terms and conditions before you sign up, you might avoid any unnecessary hassles.
9. Provision of Limited Access
Never trust anyone is the best solution for securing your data in the cloud. Limited access can solve a sizable amount of data threats since people sometimes are tempted to share information they shouldn’t. Therefore, you should limit access to sensitive information to only those who need and use it consistently. Any other individual should go through that person(s) to acquire any information they need. It’s like giving keys to few trusted individuals instead of everyone you’re working with, as this tends to limit the likelihood of mistakes.
10. Educate Your Employees
All employees — especially, but not limited to those who have access to confidential information — should be taken through data security training. A data breach’s consequences and risks ought to be fully covered, along with guidance for device usage, password choice, data access protocols, and two-step verification. You should also make ramifications for workers who prove to be the source of an attack — crystal clear from termination to possible prosecution.
11. Use Public Wi-Fi Sparingly
While you can use firewalls to provide antivirus programs and set creative passwords when using your home’s wireless internet connection, you can’t be sure that a public connection is secure. When using public Wi-Fi, you should verify its connection through business. Never use an internet connection that you can’t verify its source because hackers use these open Wi-Fi connections to steal data when you connect to the spot. In a bid to further protect your data, you should always ensure that your Wi-Fi feature is turned off till you are ready to gain access to a verified connection. Always be sure to use a virtual private network when viewing sensitive data in public.
Final Thoughts
The traditional methods of cloud security are almost becoming obsolete now. Cybercriminals are always a step ahead with more complex ways to steal any available sensitive data. Being alert and proactive to the continually upgrading security provisions can help save yourself and your data from any unauthorized access and unwarranted consequences. You should never allow your organization to suffer mistakes that you could have avoided in the first place.
Are you ready to take the plunge? Do not worry! Contego Security has got you covered. We are focused on helping your business manage its IT governance, compliance, and risk management. Contact us today to book a free cyber threat assessment. We will be more than pleased to assist you!