When it comes to the Internet, everyone wants to be safe. There are billions, if not trillions, of encrypted coding that help make using computers, phones, and tablets safer for us daily.
One of the ways we try to be safe is by using the cloud, which stores data and other essential needs. However, is it TRULY safe to leave your date on there, especially when it goes out of the cloud?
Although cloud storage is essentially safe due to technology, it may not be once it leaves the cloud to interact with another system.
Many companies use cloud-based systems to store data. However, when someone backs the data up, it can become vulnerable if they mismanage it.
That said, we will be delving into how you can protect yourself when your data leaves the cloud. These tips will help you gain a better experience overall, so sit back, relax, and read all there is to know on the subject!
Is Your Data Safe When it Leaves the Cloud?
There are many ways to protect your data, especially when backing it up from the cloud. Let us break them down for you.
1. Prioritize Internet Safety
We often hear about this, but with almost everyone on the planet using the Internet, it is tough to prioritize what you say and do in this day and age.
It is relatively easy to talk about whatever you want. Still, the moral of the story is if you would rather your friends knowing all about your life or losing that data from someone random that you will more than likely never meet.
The bottom line is that you have to decide to be safe or careless. So let’s go over a few ways to help you out in the scenario of transferring data from the cloud to somewhere else, shall we?
Don’t Provide Personal Information
Not giving out any personal information is common knowledge to us all. Still, it is relatively easy to look at a post on social media and comment on your occupation, hobbies, family, etc. This is how you get hacked in the first place.
You may think that speaking of something specific happening in your life is not a big deal. However, hackers can gain that information and know precise details on your personal life.
Use a VPN
It would be wise to use a virtual private network or VPN to secure the very thing you are trying to do. Using a VPN makes it much harder for others to identify what activities you do, the IP address, and the information on your device is more secure. It is a huge plus to have while using public WiFi as well.
SSL & TLS
Secure socket layer (SSL) and transport layer security (TLS) provide relatively the same thing a VPN does. However, it will encrypt and safeguard data that you are transferring between two systems.
This is a massive benefit when you own a small online business. Transactions will become more secure that way. It also prevents criminals from modifying and reading any sensitive information as well.
Tip: When you go to a website to purchase something, make sure it has “https” before it. This is an indicator that the site is hiding your data and encrypting it from the unwanted.
2. Encrypt Connected Devices
Encryption in cyber security is where data converts from one device that easily reads into an encoded format. Encrypted data will only be available to know when it is decrypted. As the business owner, it is essential to place encryption on all connected hard disks, USB drives, and other connected devices.
Suppose you leave any encrypted data on a device. In that case, it provides a higher risk of stolen finances, identity, and privacy for your company and your customers. In other words, having encryption lowers the chances of anyone stealing your stuff.
3. Get Into Multiple Authentications (It’s Better Than One)
I am sure you have heard the phrase, “passwords are becoming increasingly insecure.” Well, whoever made that phrase up is entirely correct. As technology advances, having just one password for your business will not help as much as other ways you can authorize you are you.
Having a second or third factor will help with the weakness of others. Here are some examples you can do:
- Create a password that is impossible for others to guess.
- Get a text message or email.
- Ask random questions that only that person would know.
- Create a code word.
- A biometric measure (fingerprint or voice activation)
4. Store Backups Offsite From Protection of Ransomware
Ransomeware is malware that will threaten to publish one’s data unless if they pay otherwise. Some ransomware programs may even lock the system that you are on.
So when ransomware attacks on a machine, backups are the last thing to go. Why is this important? Because modern hackers can use an advanced program to get through those protecting the systems.
With that being said, it is essential to keep any of your data on an offline server (aka not continuously connected online). Even though we live in a modern age where we do not need a physical copy of things, you might want to rethink that logic because of potential hackers. Here are some examples you may use:
- DVDs
- USB drives
- Hard drives
- Backup tapes
- Physical off-site storage areas
Are There Any Risks of Not Backing My Data Up?
Now that we have how to protect ourselves from backing your data up out of the way, you may be wondering the importance of backing your data up in the first place. Are there any risks involved with keeping it all on the cloud and not storing it elsewhere?
As a matter of fact, there are risks involved. Anyone who has owned a business for quite some time would say not backing your data up is an unwise choice.
Ask yourself: What if an accident occurs, such as a power outage or, worse, a flood? You may be working on a relatively large project with little time to finish it. In the middle of your work, it accidentally gets deleted. Not only have you lost your time, but potentially money as well.
Things happen, whether we expect it or not, so these are things we must consider. Here are other risks involved that you could lose:
- General business data
- Legal documents
- Team member records
- Accounting information
- Contracts and partner information
- Historical reports
How Does Data Loss Affect the Company?
When sensitive data is stolen or lost, your company will be significantly affected for many reasons. Data loss will always set timelines back and cause you to lose customers.
Remember, a happy customer will always come back. In contrast, a frustrated customer will not and may even leave you a 1-star review, which you’d want to avoid.
From your company’s interior, you will lose a lot of productive time and much more, such as;
- General business data
- Accounting information
- Team member records
- General business data
- Contracts and partner information
In addition to this, losing private data can lead to class action lawsuits, fines, and penalties. This is because the company held sensitive information of many individuals. The data is now entirely gone, or someone has stolen it due to a lack of knowledge on how to back up data correctly.
Are There Any Benefits to Using the Cloud as Storage?
We have been speaking about using an offline storage device to keep your data securely. Nevertheless, there are many benefits to using the cloud. Let us briefly go over them:
- Provides security: Believe it or not, cloud storage is relatively safe to use. Many companies that offer the cloud are always looking for ways to keep your information safe and secured.
- Cost-effective: Some cloud companies provide cloud storage for a lifetime without any extra cost. In the long run, it will save you a lot of expenses.
- Sharing is convenient: With a touch of a button, you can easily share a file with another company or individual.
- Convenient: Don’t you hate having to look for an important document that you stored in your basement a long time ago? Well, the cloud offers the convenience of typing a few letters, and it magically appears.
- Synchronization: With the cloud data, you can sync it into whichever computer you want—no more copying that information from one device to the next.
- Multiple users: You can give access to multiple users at once instead of having to go individually to one another.
Conclusion
In summary, using the cloud to store data is an excellent choice as long as it is secured by something. Make sure to use all of the safety precautions provided to ensure your information is safe and sound.