Is The Cloud Safe? How Secure is Cloud Storage?

Summary: This 3-minute article explores cyber security for cloud storage. Learn about cloud security problems and best practices for secure cloud data storage. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss the best cyber threat protection possible for your SMB.

Businesses are always looking for ways to operate more efficiently. The recent pandemic-driven, dramatic increase in remote-access work has made cloud storage the most convenient way to access your files anywhere a WiFi signal is available. In addition, the sharing of large, up-to-date files has never been easier. Previously, a corrupted hard drive or damaged flash drive could be disastrous. However, cloud storage has provided a seamless and automated way to secure your SMB’s data.

What is The Cloud?

The Cloud is an extensive network of servers with massive storage capacities. Those super servers are part of data centers designed with superior layers of cyber security:

• The staff at data centers have specific and limited access to the servers and their own storage devices.
• Cloud Data centers store duplicate copies of all files, usually at separate cloud storage locations. This additional backup protects data that must survive any catastrophic events, such as storms or fires.
• All cloud storage companies offer some level of data encryption. Ideally, all data should be encrypted before uploading from a device. By encrypting the data upfront and end to end, the user can defend against “man in the middle” cyberattacks whereby hackers intercept unencrypted data during transfer from your device to the cloud. Therefore, data encryption is one of the essential layers of cloud security.

Cloud Security Problems

By most standards, cloud storage is relatively safe. However, nothing is perfect. Here are some potential issues related to cloud security:

• Unauthorized Access – Cloud storage is, by definition, storage beyond a company’s network parameters. As it is part of the public Internet, it is easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access to any cloud-based data. Lack of proper cloud security and compromised credentials are common entry points for cyberattacks.
• Misconfiguration – Ironically, most SMB cloud data breaches are enabled by weak or inadequate cloud security posture management. Cloud-based infrastructure is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. The ease of data access is one of its biggest selling points. However, easy access opens the door for unauthorized parties. Many small to midsized businesses do not have the IT knowledge required for proper cloud configuration and some have multiple cloud deployments from different vendors with different configuration tools. IT experts can help SMBs ensure safe and consistent cloud storage configurations.
• Hijacking – Users are notoriously lazy about creating unique and secure passwords. Many also use the same easy-to-guess passwords on multiple platforms, thus making it easier for cyber thieves to gain access to more than one account. Also, cloud-based breaches can be harder to detect than local attacks on a business’s network.
• Reduced Visibility – Because cloud-based storage is located outside a company’s network parameters, it is more difficult to monitor it closely in a cloud environment. Therefore, many cyber security protocols used within the local network are less effective for monitoring cloud security.
• External Data Sharing – Many businesses connect and share data through the cloud. However, any sharing using an unprotected link poses a severe threat to security. If a user merely needs to click on an URL to gain access to cloud-based files, another serious vulnerability is available upon which cybercriminals may capitalize.
• Malicious Insider Threats – Perhaps the most severe cyber threats to companies come from staff within. Insider threats can be challenging to spot as they come from authorized users with credentials to access sensitive data. As the malicious actor has authorized credentials to access a company’s network, many resources can be compromised without detection.
• Vulnerability to Cyberattacks – Cloud-based resources accessible from the public Internet can spread attacks to other companies that do business with the company targeted by the attack. The more enterprises share cloud-stored data and other online resources, the more likely they are to be targets of hackers.
• Harder to Protect High Legal and Regulatory Compliance Organizations – Many companies are legally bound to protect their clients’ data. Also, high compliance companies such as medical practices, law and accounting firms have stricter rules for data protection governed by law. As a result, these organizations must employ cyber security specialists to ensure the safety of cloud-stored client data.

Get a DIGIGUARD Cyber Risk Analysis

As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber security and network security and has a wide array of solutions for small and midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential business and financial data has the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can establish cloud security best practices and train your employees accordingly, so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cyber security are up to the minute and cost-effective and will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach.

Cyber Threat Protection

In addition to protecting your data stored in the cloud, DIGIGUARD can provide solutions that offer early detection of potential cyber threats before they happen. Furthermore, DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss the prevention of cyberattacks and other cyber defense protocols to protect your SMB’s business data, wherever it is stored and stay current as new and more powerful protections are developed.