By Adam Prattler
Where is my data residing? Norway? Ireland? China?
The ultra paranoid individuals will always think about where their data is stored. Who cares about this anyway, if service is superb and zero offline incident has been reported.
In essence, you may be using the cloud services of a U.S. provider, but the storage itself could be in another country whose name is unheard-of. This is not usually revealed to customers unless providers are scrutinized to the bones.
If you can take one good advice in your life – calm down and leave your fabricated paranoia behind. There are other lucrative things that you can divert your energy to, such as finding ways on how you can leverage cloud benefits to propel your company’s success.
Contrary to scoffers’ belief that security is the number one setback when you migrate to cloud, there are several advantages that cloud brings to businesses security-wise. To put your restless cognizance at ease, here are some of the secure cloud benefits that can fuel survival of business.
1. Reduced data leakage
Today’s data landmines can be greatly reduced by cloud. No more storing information into external hardware that can be easily stolen or damaged.
2. Centralized storage
The centralized storage system puts the control in a singular body. It can also create a report and patterns that can eventually lead to identifying possible hacking incidents or security threats waiting around the corner.
3. Forensic readiness
In case a customer files charges for harassment from one of the employees either through email or company-issued service phone, the company will have to furnish a formal request to be able to access certain information that could negate or claim accusations.
Since these are sensitive information, only authorized individuals form the company will receive copies of data requested.
4. Reduced password “cracking” time
Most companies conduct cracking drills to test the strength of passwords being used by their workforce. Running password crackers through cloud computing is more economical since you pay for what you use.
5. Lower security testing cost
Simply put, you take away the burden of maintenance and testing away from you the moment you migrated to cloud and the host provider will do all the legwork for you. You can also be assured that skillful ones are doing security assessments.
6. Security monitoring is easy as A-B-C
Controlling security is easier with cloud. The centralized system makes it more manageable to keep track of security threats looming around the perimeter. Cloud also provides automatic notification and alerts in case of possible compromise.
7. Decline in laptop security breaches
In manufacturing businesses, prototypes of the newly developed model of a product or service are usually stored in a laptop. In the event that this person loses the laptop, sensitive information that could jeopardize the launch of a what-could-be breakthrough merchandise. Especially for the warring smartphone companies, any access to such information is priceless.
Steve Jobs recognized this dilemma early on. This is why Apple Inc. has a “Worldwide Loyalty Team” that pins down leakers of the organization.
With cloud, you need not to worry of losing your devices and information going to the hands of the competitor. Presentations and prototypes are stored in cloud-based app.
8. Secured supplier-client interaction
With cloud, suppliers and clients can now coordinate directly in a more secure platform. They can send communication exchanges containing sensitive information without the fear of data compromise. Community clouds do the wonders here.
9. Security patches is done for you
Not all businesses have the resources and skilled manpower to constantly monitor and apply security patches. A cloud computing service provider can do the job for you more efficiently, with at par expertise.
10. Beefed up sign-on security
With cloud, you can employ multi-secure sign on security. This means that when you log-in to the system, a password will either be sent to your mobile phone or email as One-time Pin (OTP). You need to enter this code to be able to completely access your account.
Cloud is the powerful incarnation of remote computing. It delivers storage, software and other computer services with the aid of the internet. It also offers security measures comparable to that of the Fort Knox’s.
Burst Your Bubble Thoughts
Do you agree that cloud is a secured platform? Are enterprises ready to compromise? Is cloud migration a leap towards better data security, or not?
Adam Prattler is a tech savvy that constantly hunts for enterprise hosting offers and freemiums. He pays it forward by sharing bits and pieces of his experience through his blogs. @adamprattler
