Cloud computing has provided us with a convenience and flexibility that we have never had before, but it also brings with it new security issues that we didn’t have to deal with when we stored our data on private servers. Below are some of the best ways to ensure that your cloud network is as secure as it can be.
Firewall First
A crucial part of securing your network is making sure that you have an effective firewall set in place. While there are a number of new methods for protecting your cloud, firewall should always be your first line of defence. When using the cloud, workers often want flexibility in access. This means that they may be accessing the cloud off a number of devices, and so having a firewall in place makes sure that no one outside your company will be able to take advantage of this.
Backup, Backup, Backup!
Many companies and people use the cloud as a form of backup for their data, but what about the other way around? If you store your valuable information solely online and there is a security breach or something goes wrong with your provider you could lose crucial data in an instant. This is why it’s important to keep data backed up on a private computer or server as well as your cloud network. By doing this you can ensure that you have secure access to your data no matter what happens.
Encrypt, Secure and Double Secure
Making sure that unwelcome guests cannot access your network can be a large undertaking when done properly. IT professionals now suggest that a password is not enough to secure your network. This is because people can be careless when it comes to protecting their passwords. It’s now encouraged to a two-level authentication technique. Finally, ensuring that your data is encrypted means that even if your network is broken into your sensitive information is kept safe. Ensure that your cloud service provider has these proper security measures in place.
Put Your Network to the Test
If your company deals with highly sensitive data, it may be a good idea to hire an ethical-hacker to put your network to the test. Ethical-hackers detect any vulnerability your cloud network may have, and ensure that malicious people cannot access your information.
Beware of BYOD
Letting employees bring their own devices to work has become an increasingly popular trend in offices and with the cloud it is easier than ever to connect. But spare a thought for security. As an employer, you do not have control over people’s private property and your network is only as safe as your weakest device. The only way to battle this problem effectively is to enforce strong security policies on all devices including ensuring that everyone has up-to-date malware protection on their devices.
Submitted by Nasstar Hosted Desktop, one of Europe’s leaders in cloud computing solutions.
Image courtesy of Feelart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
