Many small businesses are transitioning to cloud storage.
Important data and software needs a place everyone can access. Companies need the security of knowing their files are safe in the event of a system crash or providing the convenience of working remotely. But how does a manager know that sensitive information is safe from external dangers such as hackers while still accessible to employees when they need it?
First and foremost, for a small business to be certain their cloud storage is secure, they need to do their homework and have a high standard when selecting the right cloud provider. Different providers have different strengths and weaknesses and making sure that you can trust your cloud provider goes a long way in ensuring your data is safe in the cloud.
A blogger at entrepreneur.com recommends three basic steps for increasing your small business cloud security. Among their suggestions is that IT departments should be certain that files are encrypted in such a way that it prevents access from unauthorized users. It is unfortunate to consider, but many employees leave in a disgruntled and unhappy fashion. The business owner needs to be certain there are fail safes in place to prevent those situations from creating a problem.
Another way to keep data safe while using cloud storage is to prevent personal devices from accessing those files. Individuals are more likely to see their personal laptops, tablets, and computers hacked, lost, or stolen than company hardware. Traditionally, company devices tend to have more effective antivirus software and better protection against unauthorized access than personal devices.
Business News Daily suggests that one of the best ways for the small business owner to be confident their information is as secure as it can be is to pick a cloud service provider and stick with it. When the company sticks with one company for their storage, it prevents employees from uploading to the wrong site, dealing with software version mis-matches, and overall prevents confusion which in itself can lead to security compromises.
One of the benefits of cloud storage is the ability for employees to access the network from anywhere. Many companies use this feature to allow their employees to work from home, but that doesn’t come without its risks. When employees have the freedom to work remotely, there is a chance that instead of working at home on a secure line, they are working via an insecure Wi-Fi connection. These types of public connections can be far less secure than the locked down network at the office or even the hardwired firewall installed in the employee’s home.
Standardizing how the cloud is going to be used can also increase small business cloud security. It has taken a lot of work to get the cloud up and running and doing what the business owner needs it to do. Once all of that work is done, it is time to inform the employees how files are to be shared, information downloaded, and oversight maintained to ensure these rules are being followed.
Despite all the protections that small business owners can take to secure their cloud information, things can still happen to cloud data that jeopardizes its security. Because cloud servers could potentially crash or software upgrades fail it is important that companies not rely solely on their cloud storage to protect their data. External hard drives or transferring files to devices not connected to the corporate network are also good ideas to ensure that your company’s data remains safe even if the cloud server is somehow compromised.