Every day it seems like we’re hearing about yet another data breach. It’s important to be concerned with moving critical data and computing resources out of your direct control and onto the cloud. If you go online you’ll find hundreds of helpful articles about cloud security, but it all boils down to two pretty simple practices; lock it down and back it up!
Lock It Down
The process of locking down your cloud ranges from the obvious, like making sure everything requires a solid password (not “password” or “1234”!) to the subtle, like encrypting data locally before uploading. Your team needs to be educated about the importance of following protocols put in place to keep data secure. Every device that accesses your cloud network, whether it’s the CEO’s smartphone, or your sales team’s tablets – they all need the same level of security.
Creating a secure infrastructure means that a number of components are all working together. This includes password protection, encryption of data either locally, or on the cloud, and a comprehensive education of all verified users. The reason for this is pretty clear, but it also depends on the services and data you choose. Make sure to build a corporate culture focused on maintaining a secure computing environment, regardless!
Back It Up
Backing up data is just as important on the cloud as in your office. For many businesses backing up has been an afterthought. Many believe that simply storing your data on the cloud provides you with a backup plan. This is not true. Unless you explicitly contract your cloud provider for backup and disaster recovery, you could run the risk of losing data. Consider keeping truly critical files like contacts and email lists backed up as both hardcopy and digital files, securely stored offsite.
Regardless of how you choose to do it, keep these two key ideas in mind when it comes to cloud security; lock it down, and back it up! It’s a smart business practice!
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