Cloud computing is the newly-found goldmine in the IT world, today. Cloud computing in basic lingo, means a hard disk in the air or in other words, it’s a virtual network that can be used to transfer, backup and download data on the go without the need of connectivity cables. Being still in its budding days, the system is not completely foolproof to online threats and security problems.
In the wake of its plus points that include low deployment costs, ease of access and great opportunity for businesses, most of us tend to ignore the fact that these very factors lend it a high level of insecurity. Although, the reports of malicious attacks are still rare, yet spyware and malware will surface once the cloud goes major.
The biggest question for enterprises is, ‘will the benefits of cloud outweigh its shortcomings?’ The reality remains that the cloud is still in development and its state of security will enhance in accordance with the time.
Larger companies, such as Google possess the financial prowess to utilize the best security systems and resultantly, the cloud industry would end up in a race of various companies hosting cloud connectivity while offering different services and security measures. Users and local businesses similarly should demand transparency from cloud vendors and receive detailed descriptions on their guaranteed security controls in a contract or agreement.
The future of cloud computing for small businesses is not bleak, but is instead risky for enterprises to avail. Currently, there lie seven threats for small companies who intend to shift into a cloud environment:
- Unwanted user access to data and information
- Violation of regulations
- Data allocation
- Data encryption at various levels
- Recovery and repair measures, in case of a security breach
- investigative support
- Continuity of the agreement between provider and end-user in the long run
For all the above, there lie simple solutions within our capabilities to solve them. Listed below are some of them:
Customers ought to know the whereabouts of their data and in order to minimize loss or theft of data by several means. To note a few, there can be cloud administrators or a support team responsible for the wellbeing of all data and in touch with all customers. In addition, account IDs or virtual addresses can be assigned to every member for keeping track of and noting down the happenings of their cloud accounts.
Even, more important is data encryption used by cloud vendors for securing data when in storage or in transit. Data encryption is compulsory for all contents of storage devices at all times while special access can be given to authentic users.
Internet security must by all means be addressed to, as it constitutes the entire disability of the cloud. Cloud hosting is already more affordable than other means of internet protection and setting up an efficient security system is easier than what is to be used. The stronger, the security standards are, the more customers will flock to that cloud vendor.
