Security issues should be taken seriously if your business is considering moving to the Cloud or already stores data there. Human error and lack of proper protection can lead to a data breach or loss.
Implementing robust encryption protocols during transmission and storage mitigates unauthorized access. Information should be categorised based on its sensitivity, and access permissions should be reviewed and updated regularly.
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1. Ensure Strong Passwords and Access Controls
Storing data in the cloud means giving up control of that data to a third-party provider, and that can introduce vulnerabilities. If hackers successfully hack a provider, or if a provider experiences a disaster that prevents access to the data stored in its servers, then that data could be lost. To reduce the risk of losing data, it’s important to ensure that users are using strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) on their cloud accounts, and to keep copies of critical data stored on devices that they physically control.
Another important security measure is encryption, which converts data into an unreadable format that can only be deciphered with the proper key. This is essential when storing data in the cloud, both in transit and at rest. It also helps protect against data breaches and theft, both of which are common problems faced by businesses who use cloud storage. Using groups to specify access to an object rather than explicitly listing individual users is also preferable, as it scales better and is faster and cheaper to update when an organization needs to change the access control settings for large numbers of objects simultaneously.
2. Encrypt Data at Rest
Data at rest is any information accumulated in one place — such as files, databases, big data lakes, or cloud storage infrastructure. This type of information is often more accessible for hackers to target than individual packets of data in transit. This is because it tends to have logical structures and meaningful file names that betray its sensitive nature.
Using strong passwords and access controls are vital to protecting data at rest, but encryption is also an important tool. Encryption converts data into ciphertext that can only be read with the appropriate decryption keys. This reduces the likelihood of data breaches and protects against ransomware attacks. It also helps ensure compliance with regulatory standards like PCI, HIPAA, etc.
Businesses must implement robust encryption protocols when data is in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access. To achieve this, organizations must first differentiate on an organizational level between low-risk data that doesn’t require encryption and high-risk data that requires it. Next, they must set and enforce strong passwords and access control policies and regularly reassess permissions.
3. Regular Backups and Updates
Unlike local storage solutions, cloud backups are constantly “running” in the background, requiring particular redundancies and performance mechanisms to be implemented. This can put a burden on network bandwidth and the IT staff required to control and monitor these processes.
In addition, cloud backups require an internet connection, which can be challenging for organizations with intermittent or slow internet connections. This can make storing and retrieving data difficult, especially for larger files.
It’s important to back up your data regularly to avoid losing it due to hardware failure or other technical problems. Keeping software and systems updated is vital, as this reduces vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
When selecting a cloud storage vendor, check for security certifications such as ISO accreditation and Cloud Security Alliance membership. Also, evaluate whether the vendor encrypts data in transit and at rest to protect it from unauthorized access. You may also want to select a provider that offers multiple storage classes and data tiers so that you can shift backups between different types of storage as needed.
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4. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
It’s vital to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) when storing data in the cloud. MFA is a security method that requires users to verify their identity with multiple different factors, such as a password and a PIN, something they have (like a mobile phone), or something they are (like fingerprints or facial recognition). This extra layer of protection significantly reduces the chances that hackers will successfully access your company’s sensitive information even if they have your password.
In addition to implementing a strong MFA, you should look for a cloud storage vendor offering other security features, such as encrypting data in transit and at rest. Even if hackers or other unauthorized parties intercept the data, it will be unreadable without a decryption key. It’s also important to choose a vendor that has received independent security certifications, as this will indicate that they meet industry standards for security and compliance. Finally, it would be best if you looked for a scale solution to your business’s current and future storage needs.
5. Encryption Key Management
Implementing robust encryption practices is important when storing data in the cloud. Encryption converts your data into a coded language that can only be deciphered by authorized parties with the right key. This is an essential layer of protection to prevent cyber attackers from gaining access to sensitive information.
Implementing encryption in the cloud is a preemptive defense against data breaches and cyberattacks. This practice also fosters collaboration by allowing enterprises to share data across internal systems without exposing information.
Encryption at rest is divided into two categories based on who keeps the encryption keys safe – the service provider (server-side encryption) or the user (client-side encryption). Customers who adhere to stringent regulatory compliance must ensure their encryption keys are stored in an FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated Hardware Security Module. This will keep the keys from being compromised if a service provider is breached. This approach is called secure key management. Parablu’s solution, BluVault, gives enterprise users control over their own keys via a built-in Segregation of Duties that doesn’t require the use of expensive key management software.