Cloud Computing & Security: What Enterprises Should Know

Cloud computing is a field that is rapidly growing, especially in the industrial sector. Along with it, though, comes the question of enterprise security. Adopting the right strategy can prove to be highly beneficial for companies. Some experts believe that the cloud may be the safest place to store data. But many others maintain that it can be the least secure place to store sensitive office data.

How secure is the cloud in actuality? What are the things that enterprises need to know regarding the maintenance of data in the cloud? Is it safer for data to remain within the office environment? 

In this article, we bring you the latest in cloud security trends and present certain facts that companies should be aware of:

Cloud Security Is In

The steep rise in the adoption of the cloud in enterprises has brought about a considerable increase in demand for cloud security service providers. This trend indicates that companies understand and recognize the risks involved and are doing their best to tackle the problem of security. This aspect is now the top priority for IT departments of several companies. It is expected that this market demand will grow even further in the coming few years.  

Cloud Storage Is Risky 

For most people, the cloud is the most convenient place to store all their data. While that is the case with enterprises too, storing supposedly classified data can prove to be challenging for companies; especially for the smaller business outfits, which do not have enough financial and other resources to maintain data in the cloud.
Businesses involving banking, credit cards, finance, accounting, and so on, are most at risk.

 No Company Is Perfectly Safe

No matter how much experts extol the virtues of the cloud, it is a fact that no company is ever totally free from threats and vulnerability to external attacks. Several years ago, major companies such as JP Morgan Chase, Home Depot, Target, and several others reported that their data had been severely compromised. If that could happen to such big brands, smaller companies would be at a bigger risk of losing important data.

Public vs. Private

Business organizations often wonder about the security of public vs. private clouds. Adopting a private cloud strategy may initially seem to be the better and more secure option, as it gives the IT department more control over data and better cloud standards. However, that is not the case. Complete security can only be achieved by chalking out an effective plan and following the right strategies for managing the technology.

External vs. Internal Threats

Most enterprises believe that the main threat to security comes from hackers and social engineers, working outside the organization. However, the fact is that internal employees pose an equal threat to data vulnerability. The situation is further complicated by employees or contractors working offsite or using their devices to access official information, outside of the office network.

BYOD Increases Risks

The rise in BYOD, along with the recent emergence of WYOD in enterprises, presents a new risk for companies. While the Internet of Things makes it convenient to connect and transfer data between multiple desktops and mobile devices in the office, it creates its issues of security and vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Using The Right Security Tools

Companies interested in adopting cloud computing now have several security tools and services at their disposal. Unfortunately, however, few organizations are aware of the type of products available to them or how they can use them. This could end up exposing them to vulnerabilities they do not even know exist. 

Security Policies Are Vital to Ensure Safety

While companies are now far more willing to adapt to working in the cloud, most of them are not aware of the importance of drawing out the right security and enterprise data protection policies. The current BYOD and BYOA milieu within the office makes it all the more vital for organizations to have the right enterprise MDM strategies in place. 

Cloud Computing Security

Companies that adopt cloud computing may reap both cost-cutting and productivity benefits. However, they face a new security challenge in the form of threats from hackers, malware and other cyber thieves. Some experts believe that companies can best protect their data by storing it in the cloud; others fear that data stored online is more vulnerable than ever before.

The sharp rise in the number of enterprises adopting cloud computing has led to a corresponding increase in demand for cloud security providers. Businesses dealing with sensitive information such as financial records and credit card data are especially vulnerable to security breaches. To ensure complete protection against such attacks, companies need to come up with a solid strategy for managing their technology.

Nicholas H. Parker specialises in web design and is a content editor at PaperHelp. 

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