How to Choose Cloud Storage

How To Choose The Cloud Storage Solution That Suits Your Needs

Choosing the right data storage package can make the difference between a smooth backup process and major headaches caused by data leaks and breaches.

Whether you need to choose cloud storage solutions for your family or business, there are a few key factors that you should consider when weighing up your options.

Let’s take a look at five crucial angles to consider before you make your choice.

Reliable Security

With data security incidents skyrocketing around the world, South Africans can no longer afford to be complacent – in fact we currently rank number one in Africa for cyberattacks.

A cloud storage solution that features encryption and using advanced algorithms is an essential weapon in the fight against cybercrime. Make sure that your provider’s security is up to scratch before you sign up.

Scalable as you grow

If you’re shopping around for a business data storage solution, you’ll need a package that grows with your enterprise.

Your monthly backup requirements may only be one gig or less currently, but in the years to come your business may generate 10 or even 100 times that amount of important data per month.
It’s always best to opt for a cloud storage provider that offers a range of packages with increasing data storage capacity so that you never have to read the words “your storage is full” ever again.

Great Customer Support

Every tech product experiences a bit of downtime now and then – plus there’s always a setting that needs to be changed or a feature that you’d like your provider to explain better.

Reliable and well trained customer service representatives are an essential link between you and your data backup provider and it’s essential that they offer online chat support as well as a call centre so that you’re able to get in touch with them and resolve any issues that arise.

Backup enabled

Having a digital storage option to replace your physical hard drive or other devices is one thing, but making sure that your sensitive information is regularly uploaded is equally important.

When you choose a cloud storage provider, make sure that the products have an automated backup feature so that you can specify how often you’d like your files to be stored in the cloud.
This will help ensure that you have a copy of all your important data and will help you to bounce back from a data leak or cyber attack.

Designed for business and personal users

Some cloud products are well-suited for companies with large budgets and significant data security concerns while others are more suitable for individuals and families.

It’s important to check the specific features of your provider’s backup solution before you make a final purchase decision so that you don’t end up with too many features for a home set up or a package that doesn’t offer the functionality you need for business data backup.

We’ve got your ideal cloud storage solution right here

Soteria’s range of secure cloud storage packages are suitable for both household and business use. Whether you’re backing up your personal files, photos and videos, or looking for secure, encrypted cloud storage and backup system for a medium to large size business, we can help.

To choose a secure cloud storage package that ticks all the boxes above, browse our range of packages today.

Embracing the cloud | Cloud storage solutions

Hybrid workforce enhancing the need for cloud backup services

The rapid development of Africa’s overall economy continues to create new business opportunities.

With a GDP five times bigger than it was in the year 2000, trends like hybrid working are sparking a new wave of data creation across the continent – and the demand for cloud storage is set to soar.

In the 21st century, the stark reality is that prosperity comes with the risk of cybercrime. According to a recent research report from PT Security, Africa lost up to 10% of GDP to a lack of digital security preparedness in 2022.

Migrating to a hybrid cloud approach may be the ideal security solution for companies from Cape Town to Cairo.

Growth, hybrid work, and an explosion in data

As African businesses expand and embrace modern working practices, one of the inevitable results of a hybrid working model is the large amount of data that every modern company produces.

This sensitive information is not only crucial for the running of the business but is also a prime target for cybercriminals who carry out hacking and ransomware attempts.

Businesses that were established more than 10 years ago are likely to fall into the category of data users that store information on servers and physical hard drives.
These off-line backup solutions have their benefits but relying on physical storage alone is a major security risk, not to mention that company data is vulnerable to corruption or loss if the hardware fails.

As organisations grow and modernise, combining traditional storage with a cloud-based approach – a practice called hybrid cloud storage – is the ideal way to secure data that has been on the company’s system for years and keep newly minted information safe too.

Follow the 32110 approach for best results

If you’re wondering how to keep your company data safe with hybrid cloud storage, we’d like to share some industry best practices with you.

The 32110-cloud storage method is a handy way of scheduling and maintaining data in the cloud as well as offline using traditional storage.

Following this approach, companies should have three copies of their data on hand at any given time.
Two copies are kept on different media, one copy is kept in the cloud, and the final copy is kept in special storage like an air gapped computer with no internet connection.
The zero represents zero errors, a prerequisite for uncorrupted data storage.

Embracing the Cloud

Adopting a hybrid storage model is an extremely flexible solution that is especially useful in Africa where cost sensitivity is high.

An affordable cloud storage solution can be added to existing physical storage methods to provide an additional layer of data security at competitive rates.

Soteria’s range of secure cloud storage solutions using advanced data encryption are the ideal solution for businesses of all sizes that are serious about data security. Browse our packages today to find the solution that suits your data requirements and budget.

Laptop Security Tips | Security

Keeping your laptop secure

There’s hardly a business in operation that doesn’t own numerous laptops and IOT devices. But what some business owners don’t consider is that mobile productivity devices – and laptops in particular – can be a major cybersecurity vulnerability.

If you and your team use company laptops, you need to take steps to secure them. Let’s have a look at the risks involved in managing your portable devices and how to mitigate them.

Your laptop is the door to your data – Keep it locked

Take a moment and consider just how much sensitive information there is on your work laptop. From email passwords to internet banking credentials and highly confidential company documents, you’d be guaranteed sleepless nights if your device was stolen.

Considering how much crucial information is stored on laptops we’re always worried when clients tell us that they haven’t secured their devices yet. Here are some ways you can keep your laptop safe from cybercriminals.

Location Finding

Setting up and enabling a location-finding service can be a big help if you ever lose your laptop, but it can also be a slight privacy risk. It’s a trade-off between how much you value your laptop vs your privacy as these location apps can also track you.

Passwords and encryption

If you haven’t set a password on your laptop yet, take a moment and get it done now. You’ll be taking one of the biggest steps on the journey to predicting your data.

In addition to a password, you’ll want to encrypt your hard drive and password protect important files so they can’t be read if someone steals your laptop or uses it without your permission.

Password protected screensaver

We all need to take a break from our laptops every now and again or get side-tracked by someone or something else happening around us, leaving our devices open and exposed to snoopers. To ensure that others don’t have access to your laptop make sure that you activate an automatic screensaver that requires a password to exit.

Screen guards

Have you ever sat down on an airplane or at Starbucks and felt a strange presence, only to find the person next to you reading your laptop screen? Your typical screen reader may just be an innocent, busybody, but guarding your personal information is still hugely important.

A laptop screen guard makes it difficult to read your screen from the side, helping to endure data privacy when you’re traveling or working remotely.

Virtual private network (VPN)

Public Wi-Fi spots are everywhere and unless you hotspot your own mobile device or carry a router with you your security can be easily compromised. Data traffic on public connections is usually not encrypted and you never know who might be monitoring the connection you are linked up to.

Here are some of the things you can do to stay safe when a public connection is your only option.

Use a VPN that encrypts your data
Disable Wi-Fi auto connect
Don’t login to sites that are password protected such as online banking, social media etc

Data Backup

It’s always a smart idea to be ready for the worst-case scenario. If your laptop is stolen, you need a place to store and retrieve your business data. That place is the cloud.

Laptop Security and Cloud Storage

Soteria’s range of secure cloud storage solutions for businesses and households offer fully encrypted backup to ensure the safety of your files. Browse our packages today to find the one that suits your needs.

Cyber Winter, Mitigating the Risks | Cybersecurity Threats

Priming for a Cybersecurity Winter

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent around the world, particular only to the area in which you live. The latest floods that affected many parts of South Africa are a powerful reminder that it’s essential to be prepared for the unexpected.

Another danger that is not dissimilar to the risks of winter that has increased hugely in recent years, is the threat of cyber attacks – and preparation is just as important to combat this online scourge.

Just as you would safeguard your home against the threats of winter, here are the steps you can follow to safeguard your business data as online threats persist.

Get your data ready for “cyber winter”

You wouldn’t leave your house vulnerable to extreme events like flooding and severe rainstorms – yet many businesses are still unprepared for a cyberattack.

Here’s how you can prepare your company for the deep winter that could follow a major data breach or ransomware event.

Like winter, cyberattacks are coming

Every autumn, homeowners across the country have their roofs checked for leaks and their wooden doors and windows oiled in preparation for the coming rain and cold.

Cybersecurity is no less important, and getting your business ready for this year’s onslaught of ransomware and social engineering attacks is crucial.

Every department in your business will need to do a data audit and compile a full inventory of sensitive information, divided into the following categories:

customer data
employee data
payment credentials
proprietary business data

Once you know exactly how much data your business has in storage, it’s time to estimate the potential damage that could be caused if it were to be compromised in a cyber attack.

A business impact assessment of this kind will help you estimate the response requirements that your organisation will have to carry out in the wake of a cyber attack.

In any scenario, you’re safer with secure cloud storage

When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s always best to prepare for the worst. Keeping your company’s data safe in the cloud will give you peace of mind as you navigate the freeze outs that can happen in this sometimes scary online world.

Our range of secure cloud storage packages for businesses of every size will help ensure that you have an uncorrupted copy of all your data available for rapid restoration.

Backup Awareness | Data Backup

Data Backup Awareness Month

June was backup awareness month, and the cybersecurity industry urged internet users around the world to heed its call for heightened vigilance. The warning comes at a time when ransomware and other online attacks continue to threaten privacy and data security.

What’s the true state of cybersecurity implementation at companies around the world – and are managers being proactive enough in protecting their data? Let’s take a look at the latest numbers to gain insight into the situation from a global perspective.

cyberthreats persist, but some managers are slow to act

The harsh reality of an online space that is becoming increasingly risky for businesses and individuals who value their sensitive information often makes headlines. Unfortunately, the magnitude of online data threats seems to contrast strongly with managers’ willingness to secure the very same data that’s under threat.

Arcserve, a prominent online security provider, carried out a comprehensive data loss survey recently across several countries. South Africa wasn’t part of the research as such, but many of the insights gained from over 1 200 IT professionals responsible for data security implementation may be applicable to the local market.

The survey’s biggest takeaway probably won’t surprise many cybersecurity professionals: most companies can and will be hit by some form of data loss eventually.

For business owners, this means making peace with the inevitability of a cybersecurity breach and shifting their focus to mitigation and recovery. This strategy is justified by some of the survey’s highlights:

76% of medium sized companies have experienced data loss in the period 2018-2023
45% of respondents said that their lost data was unrecoverable
Only 24% of respondents have a comprehensive cyberattack response plan in place
77% of medium size companies haven’t developed a data resilience plan

secure cloud storage puts the 1 into 3-2-1-1

Data security experts recommend implementing a 3-2-1-1 strategy to prevent irretrievable data loss:

Three copies of company data should exist,
Two of them should be on different physical media,
One should be off-site,
The final copy should be in the cloud in immutable storage so that it can’t be altered by hackers.

Since the final copy is the one that could restore your company’s data in the event of a major cyberattack, we’d like to help you store it securely in the cloud in case you need it.

Soteria Cloud offers secure backup and offsite data storage with the latest encryption technology, including immutable storage. To secure your data and gain an edge over 77% of businesses globally, browse our range of cloud storage packages today.

Ransomware Attacks | Cloud Backup

Why are ransomware attacks so successful?

Ransomware has become the number one worry on the minds of IT security experts, and company owners, and it doesn’t show any signs of disappearing.

South African companies and individuals have been hit hard by cybercriminals over the past few years. The country ranked eighth in terms of ransomware attacks in 2021, with the cost of cybercrime overall exceeding R2 billion the year before.

There’s little doubt that ransomware is an extremely damaging online phenomenon, but why are ransomware attacks so successful and how can you avoid becoming the next victim?

weak defences and smart attackers: a dangerous match

Like any kind of crime, a successful ransomware attack relies on criminals bypassing your data security to gain access to your computer network.

As cyber defences improve, hackers get smarter and find ways of bypassing them.
The easiest target of all is a business that isn’t using the latest cybersecurity solutions or hasn’t updated them recently enough.
Cybercriminals are using advanced social engineering and exploiting vulnerabilities in companies’ online defences to break through and execute ransomware attacks.

As a business owner, you and your staff will need to be on the lookout for suspicious emails and other messages while keeping your antivirus, firewall, and secure cloud storage up to date.

There are two types of ransomware that you need to be able to spot:

Random penetration attempts sent to thousands of email addresses and phone numbers (these are more obvious and usually easier to spot).
Targeted attacks which involve hackers researching and infiltrating a specific business. These are more dangerous because they read like legitimate communications.

are you dealing with a hacking hacker or a cybercrime mastermind?

If you receive a generic email or text message that looks suspicious you probably know what to do already: delete and forget.

Messages like this are usually easy to pick up because they sound fake. Vague wording, promises that sound too good to be true like lottery winnings or other kinds of free money are signs that you’re just one of many hundreds of thousands of people who have been targeted by a hacker.

On the other hand, if you receive a message that seems to be addressed to you, and could be from a legitimate business or even someone you know, you’re less likely to think that it could be a ransomware attack.

But if it is, your data could be in jeopardy.

Cybercriminals have taken to researching companies and even individuals in depth to identify easy targets. If this sounds scary, it really is.
Your privacy may have already been invaded by cybercriminals and your details could be doing the rounds on the dark web. Usually this happens after data leaks compromise your personal information.

Keep your data safe with high-tech cloud storage

Ransomware may be all over, but you don’t need to be its latest victim.

Updating your online security, including antivirus, firewall, and secure cloud storage solutions are the best ways you can make your information harder for hackers to access,

Soteria’s range of encrypted, secure cloud storage solutions are an ideal starting point for any business or family wanting to stay safe online. Browse our range of cloud storage packages to get started.

Data Cloud Threats | Cloud Storage

2023 data cloud threats hang dark

A record number of organisations are choosing to store their data in the cloud, and the risk of hacking and cybercrime events is likely to keep trending upwards. With South Africa ranking in the top 10 of the most costly countries for data breaches, and the only southern hemisphere country to be listed, the financial burden on companies is high.

The 2023 Veeam Cloud Protection Trends Report reveals interesting insights about the state of the cloud storage industry and should raise the alarm for any organisation that relies on unencrypted online storage, while giving confidence to those who placed their trust in secure, encrypted backup solutions.

In this article we take a brief look at the report, highlight its main findings, and find out what they mean for your company’s data safety.

cloud storage becomes ubiquitous, but security lags behind

The Veeam report surveyed almost 2 000 IT professionals in the United States and found that up to 98% of businesses now rely on some form of cloud storage. While the latest data for South Africa is not yet available, it’s not difficult to predict that local trends are moving in the same direction with digital transformation beginning and ending in the cloud.

The benefits of cloud-based data storage, including access to data on demand, shareability across teams and platforms, and gains in productivity for remote workers, mean that the days of physical storage are rapidly coming to an end.

Looking at the report closely, one of the biggest contrasts can be observed between companies that opt to use cloud storage and those that have adopted adequate security.

Despite almost 100% of organisations surveyed reporting that they use some form of cloud storage:

34% of respondents think their cloud-hosted files are safe or do not need to be backed up
15% believe the same about their cloud-hosted databases.

Interpreting this data from a cybersecurity point of view, for every hundred companies out there, 15 to 34 are facing potential cybersecurity threats due to inadequately secured data.

With businesses relying on cloud storage to a large extent, quick action to close data security gaps should be priority number one this year.

data security is non-negotiable in 2023

Cybercriminals follow the money and human error – so expect to see more cloud credential theft and ransomware attempts in 2023 as criminals trawl the web for opportunities to exploit any lack of security.

If your business uses cloud storage, it absolutely has to be secure. Encrypted data, which is difficult for cybercriminals to decode, and next level technology like immutable storage are essential aspects of any effective data backup solution in 2023.

Soteria Cloud provides a range of secure cloud storage and backup solutions for households and businesses of all sizes. To ensure that your data remains safe in a year that’s set to see a spike in cyberattacks, browse our range of cloud storage packages today.

2022 Big Tech & Cloud Storage | Tech Trends

The year that was – big tech and cloud storage trends in 2022

The start of a new year is always an exciting time, and as we gear up to meet the challenges of 2023 it’s time to reflect on the tech world and how it changed over the past 12 months.

With new technologies earning their place in our daily lives and business operations and old household names falling by the wayside, 2022 was an interesting year for the global IT industry. Let’s take a look at some of the year’s winners and losers.

the winners

2022 was definitely the year for smart devices and new technologies that will revolutionise industries from scientific research to finance. At first glance, the most innovative technology trends all appear to be acronyms of one smart technology or another, the likes of AI (artificial intelligence), VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality)! We take a look.

AI

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, with new technologies like ChatGPT, which is able to write a passable university essay using vocabulary learned from the internet. This new development is threatening to shake up educational institutions and industries around the world.

machine learning

Technologies that can learn as they do instead of having to be pre-programmed are becoming the new normal. Computers that can perform financial analysis and even diagnose hospital patients are making the daily tasks of professionals easier.

IoT

The Internet of Things, which describes the interconnected network of devices that we all use nowadays, continues to expand – making our lives easier while raising questions about privacy.

blockchain

Cryptocurrencies maybe in trouble, but the technology used to mine them is very much alive and being used in a variety of industries to speed up processing times and verify data across multiple users.

The Losers

In the spirit of “out with the old and in with the new”, we will need to bid farewell to a few bits of technology this year. Here are some of the tech products you won’t be seeing again.

blackberry OS

The blackberry revolutionised productivity with its easy-to-use integrated keyboard in the 2000s, but with the device rendered obsolete by smartphones, it’s OS finally lost technical support in 2022.

meta services – including neighborhoods

The old Facebook neighborhoods feature was finally phased out last year with Facebook groups largely replacing its functionality. Along with neighbourhoods, Facebook live shopping, it’s gaming app and Facebook Connectivity all fell victim to Meta layoffs and the rise of other apps.

google hangouts

The original Google hangouts, which became a go-to app for personal and business communication is no more. Google announced a brand new design and interface for its integrated messenger accessible to personal and business account holders.

Big Tech & Cloud Storage Remain Vital in 2022

As 2023 gets underway, secure cloud storage is one technology that isn’t going anywhere – and that’s great news for the security of your personal and business data.

Keep your Information safe with our range of packages for home and business users.

Fighting ransomware | Cloud Backup Fundamentals

Cloud backup fundamentals: fighting ransomware with immutable storage

It seems like every news report carries a story about a company being targeted by ransomware, with some of the biggest companies in SA being prime targets. In a world where data can be taken hostage, what can business owners do to protect their sensitive information from criminals?

Next generation data security like immutable storage is the latest line of defence against cybercriminals. Let’s take a look at this innovative technology and how it can protect business information – even if a cloud storage provider falls prey to a cyberattack.

immutable storage: putting a lock on your data

Backup solutions like secure cloud storage are becoming increasingly popular because they offer a secure place on the internet to keep your data safe.

But what if your storage provider itself becomes the victim of a cyberattack?

Immutable storage makes it impossible for attackers to alter your data. It works by using computer programming to block any changes to the data once it’s in storage.
In combination with encryption, immutable storage renders your data unusable by potential attackers. This means that your information will be safe in the cloud since it’s unusable and ransomware attackers won’t be able to use this to extort money from you.

By opting for immutable storage, you’ll be adding a powerful layer of protection to your cybersecurity – in fact, it’s more like a layer of concrete that makes your data impossible to alter and unencrypt.

a trusted system for sensitive data

Immutable storage is an excellent tool in the fight against cybercriminals – especially when used in conjunction with other cybersecurity products.

A comprehensive firewall solution, up-to-date antivirus software, and encrypted secure cloud storage are all key components of a complete online security package.

At Soteria Cloud, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of cloud backup data solutions. With our packages now featuring immutable storage, you can rest easy knowing that your data is 100% secure. To learn more, contact us today.

Going to war over data | Data leaks

Is your data worth going to war over – data leaks need to be plugged

Information has become so valuable in the 21st-century that it’s worth a lot more than oil. In reality, it’s probably as valuable as the water we drink and the air we breathe and could even be worth going to war over!

Here’s why data could become a flashpoint for conflicts and how data engineers can help ensure ready access to information and prevent another major war.

Protecting a valuable resource

Since the birth of the Internet, the value of information has skyrocketed and it’s hard to imagine this changing anytime soon.

In recent memory, wars have been fought over oil in the Middle East, access to the black sea in Ukraine and even mining rights in Africa. Could the next major war be fought over access to data?

In a world where access to information counts, secure cloud storage and other data protection systems couldn’t be more important. At the same time, regulators are raising concerns about the club of tech giants that have the capacity to gatekeep our sensitive info.

Considering how crucially important data is to the functioning of every economy and business, it’s a little scary that this precious resource is controlled by a handful of companies.
The likes of Alphabet Inc (Google), Microsoft, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) and Apple have access to the data of billions of users and until now they’ve done a reasonably good job keeping it safe – but what if that changes?
A major data breach at one of the world’s tech giants is a huge concern for cybersecurity experts and big names like Google and Facebook invest heavily in cybersecurity. But if a massive ransomware event had to strike one of these corporations the disruption to electronic communication around the world could be huge.

A less probable but equally scary scenario sees a major tech player deciding to use its data ownership for political purposes.

This may sound like it has the makings of a dystopian movie, but with the number of cyberattacks increasing around the world, the power that comes with access to other people’s data is on display for the world to see.

Could governments find themselves facing down tech companies for access to vital data?

The economic consequences of events like these could be enormous – but help is at hand.

Are data engineers the guardians of the future?

To avoid this type of confrontation and keep private data safe and secure, governments around the world, tech giants, data engineers and IT experts all have a vital role to play in keeping our personal and business information safe.

Engineers keep your data safe at the ground level by encouraging companies to practice data awareness and implement effective online security measures. That’s where cloud storage comes in.

If you’re concerned about the safety of your own data and aren’t sure who to trust, we have good news. Secure cloud storage is an effective way to protect your personal information and keep it encrypted so that only authorised users can access it.

Learn more about our data storage solutions and secure your essential information today.