Using the cloud to backup your data can significantly benefit your business. But it also presents the risk of making mistakes that could seriously impact your business’s overall security and efficiency. Here’s how you can avoid some of the most common cloud mistakes.
1. don’t assume your cloud data Is automatically protected
Cloud storage alone is not an adequate security measure for your data. Although the company providing the service has to comply with specific security standards, you’re still responsible for securing your own data. The cloud is a goldmine for businesses as well as cybercriminals.
Ensure you encrypt all your data to avoid costly malicious attacks and breaches.
2. don’t underestimate bandwidth and latency needs
You need to evaluate the amount of data you can move (bandwidth) and the delay of moving that data (latency) based on the services you deliver and user expectations. It doesn’t matter how much data you can move if it doesn’t arrive precisely when needed.
High latency can negatively affect cloud-based applications and collaboration tools, impacting productivity and your cloud deployment strategy.
3. establish role-based access
Recognise the vulnerabilities of storing sensitive data in the cloud and take adequate steps to protect it. Role-based security will help you control who can access sensitive data. Not everyone working within the cloud should have access to all the data.
Employees should have an appropriate access level to parts of the cloud according to their role and function. You can also add a two-step authentication process at all access points to ensure no one can access cloud resources maliciously or accidentally.
4. ensure you have an offsite backup copy
Making a copy of your backup manually or implementing a multi-cloud strategy is a practical way of mitigating against disasters or attacks like RansomCloud. A ransomcloud attack targets cloud-based applications and can deny you access to your data.
Having an offsite backup of your essential data will reassure you that you can always access or restore the data if a hacker locks up or encrypts the data in the cloud. You’ll also maintain access to your information should there ever be a cloud downtime or poor internet connection.
5. continuous education and training
It’s vitally important to have updated training and education resources for yourself and employees of all levels. This ensures everyone knows how to identify, avoid, and report phishing schemes. Encouraging vigilance can help detect phishing attacks before they become a problem.
RansomCloud attackers will use phishing emails to access emails, impersonate account owners, launch scams, and spread malware. Such emails often look legitimate and can trick victims into clicking files that can corrupt entire systems or provide unauthorised access.
6. have a cloud service level agreement in place
Before you buy or build a new house, you would insist on a blueprint from the architect. Building your backup in the cloud is no different – insist on a blueprint! Besides reading the fine print, it’s essential to ensure you have a cloud Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place with the service provider.
In much the same way, an SLA serves as a blueprint and warranty for cloud computing. It provides written service expectations between cloud consumers and providers. Ensure you evaluate the SLA for details on;
- Security standards and system infrastructure to be maintained by the service provider.
- Your rights to audit the service providers’ compliance.
- Affirmations on ownership of the data stored in the service providers’ system and your right to get it back.
- The specific parameters and minimum levels needed for each service element and the remedies in place in case of failures to meet such requirements.
common cloud mistakes are, common!
Challenges and mistakes can come from many fronts. It’s therefore vital that you perform your due diligence, expect the unexpected, and plan for exceptions from the start.
Have you ever experienced cloud-based security issues? Share your story with us today!