In The House Or In The Cloud: Which Is More Secure?

Whether you are upgrading old servers because of business expansion, or considering moving to the cloud because your IT infrastructure is out of date and does not support your business as it should, there are many reasons to deliberate carefully before choosing an in-house or cloud service delivery model.

It’s a tough decision that will profoundly affect your business and the management of day to day operations.

Cloud technology is fundamentally changing the IT perspective, the way we work and communicate, but the decision about where to store company data can nevertheless be a headache for managers. Enterprises are ever more willing to adopt cloud services because of the efficiency and flexibility they bring.

Technology has moved forward, and we can easily find compelling reasons to change our business model from an in-house data center to one based in the cloud. The benefits of using cloud-based solutions are obvious, they provide fast and easy deployment of infrastructure, a reliable environment and lower TCO.

Nevertheless, security concerns can dissuade decision-makers from having sensitive data processed outside their companies.

In this context, legal requirements related to data protection and contractual liability can both be deal breakers, but the fact is that cloud security does not have to be an issue today, as the majority of providers have adopted the best security practices to protect their resources and are certified to common security standards.

Despite this, there are lingering concerns that cloud computing is less secure than the traditional approach. However, is this really true?

It is based primarily on the fact that CSOs feel uncomfortable with important company files or personal data stored on servers which they cannot physically control.

However, security is not the only aspect of exercising such physical control. You might, after all, develop and maintain your own IT system from scratch, but without rigorous attention to security it will not be as secure as you would expect, and that is true whether it is based in the cloud or in-house.

Without the right security strategy and best in class technology, both approaches can be unsecure. Thus, the real question to ask yourself is whether you feel comfortable with the security of your systems?

Data loss protection, data encryption, access control, anti-malware and DDoS protection are just a few of the areas you need to address. Secure data processing requires highly trained and experienced engineers, investment in security infrastructure and appropriate security governance. With that in mind, can you say that you are truly at ease with the effectiveness of your security?

Today, the real question is not whether we should outsource IT infrastructure, but when we will be ready to do so. Of course, switching from a traditional in-house environment to a cloud-based service is a tough choice for managers, and each of them can find different reasons to do that.

Appropriate risk assessment and IT operation analysis need to be carried out in order to make the most appropriate decision. Business expectations and the necessity of data protection are changing. They are getting more demanding. Fulfilling data availability and confidentiality requirements impacts heavily on the way IT should support business.

Establishing a reliable partnership in the areas of data center and cloud services may prove by far the better option in terms of business operation and security management when compared to your in-house solution, with the former delivering greater financial and operational benefits in the long-term.

So, cloud-based or locally-hosted? There is no one good answer, no definitive ‘best’ service delivery model for storing your company’s data. Rather, there is a ‘most appropriate’ model that depends on the unique requirements of your business, the size of your company and your budget.

For large enterprises, the decision may be strategic; for smaller companies, it could be about finding the only reasonable way of building IT structures.

InfoSecurity:

You Might Also Read:

Put Your Physical Security Into The Cloud:

Cyber Security Risks Of Cloud Computing:

« Big Data - Big Changes Coming
AI Makes People In Your Business More Important »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Our Supplier Directory lists 6,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors

NXP is a world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications and the Internet of Things.

CLUSIL

CLUSIL

CLUSIL is an association for the information security industry in Luxembourg.

Assured Information Security (AIS)

Assured Information Security (AIS)

AIS is committed to providing our customers with critical information security products, services, and training. We support diverse needs throughout business and industry.

IPQualityScore (IPQS)

IPQualityScore (IPQS)

IPQS anti-fraud tools provide a real-time fraud score to analyze how likely a user or visitor is to engage in fraudulent behavior.

OffSec

OffSec

OffSec have defined the standard of excellence in penetration testing training. Elite security instructors teach our intense training scenarios and exceptional course material.

Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE)

Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE)

Chicago Quantum Exchange is an intellectual hub and community of researchers with the common goal of advancing academic and industrial efforts in the science and engineering of quantum information.

Thrive

Thrive

Thrive delivers the experience, resources, and expertise needed to create a comprehensive cyber security plan that covers your vital data, SaaS applications, end users, and critical infrastructure.

Emagined Security

Emagined Security

Emagined Security is a leading provider of professional services for Information Security and Compliance solutions.

Cyber Security Operations Consulting (CyberSecOp)

Cyber Security Operations Consulting (CyberSecOp)

CyberSecOp is an ISO 27001 Certified Organization which provides cyber security operations services and risk management consulting.

Truvantis

Truvantis

Truvantis is a cybersecurity consulting organization providing best-in-class cybersecurity services to secure your organization’s infrastructure, data, operations and products.

Bittnet Training

Bittnet Training

Bittnet Training is the leader in the IT Training market in Romania. We develop the IT skills of IT professionals as well as those who wish to start a career in IT.

Stack Identity

Stack Identity

Stack Identity protects access to cloud data by prioritizing identity and access vulnerabilities via a live data attack map.

Xact IT Solutions

Xact IT Solutions

Xact IT Solutions are a certified cybersecurity firm offering cybersecurity, compliance and managed services.

Amyna Systems

Amyna Systems

Amyna has developed an IoT cybersecurity platform that prevents malignant attacks, helping users to protect themselves from cyberattacks.

NVISO Security

NVISO Security

NVISO is a pure-play cyber security consulting firm, focused mainly on the Financial Sector, the Technology Sector, and Government & Critical Infrastructure.

COGITANDA Dataprotect

COGITANDA Dataprotect

COGITANDA are a group of companies focused on dealing with cyber risks, managing them and insuring them.