Protecting Data in the Cloud

Most businesses have been using the cloud to store business data for some time now, but since March 2020, when the UK workforce moved to working from home, cloud usage has increased. 

It is thought that the cloud industry is likely to continue to grow with predictions that it will increase in value from $371.4 billion in 2020 to $832.1 billion by 2025. However, there are always concerns about safety when using the cloud, as at the end of the day, “the cloud is just someone else’s server”. ‍


How safe is the cloud? 

According to Norton, the anti-virus software company, although users have no access to the third-party cloud servers their data is stored on, the cloud is likely to be safer and more protected from cyber-criminals than any in-house servers. 

This is because their security measures are likely to be far more robust, and far more targeted than the security systems in place within your organisation. These include:

• Regular and consistent security updates
• AI tools and auto-patching systems
• Built-in firewalls
• Regular and multiple back-ups
• Third-party security testing
• Data encryption
• Access via secure logins only

Additionally, these servers are not on your premises so should your office building be affected by power cuts, floods, fire or other natural disasters your data will be protected. Although cloud storage is secure there is no harm in adding further in-house protection to your cloud accounts as you can never have too much data security.

Extra security 

Although it seems the easiest option to simply login to the cloud account and save your documents, there is more you can do as a business to ensure you and your business data is safe. 

Multi-factor authentication: The majority of cloud-based software now offers the option for multi-factor authentication – the requirement of two or more methods of signing in which can include:

- Passwords : At least eight characters long and a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers or special characters.

- One-time use code: A code sent via SMS or email which is used only once.

- App generated codes: A code generated by an app on a mobile phone or scanning a QR code which contains a ‘key’. 

- Physical authentication keys: A USB which the user inserts every time they try to login from a new computer.

- Biometrics:  A fingerprint, voice or eye scan.

- Information: S omething that only the user would know – either a password or a piece of information . 


Regular data backups: There can never be too many data backups. Regular backups mean if there is a breach you can recover the data from the previous data back up before the breach, virus or malware. ‍ 

End to End Encryption: Only the intended recipient will be able to access the data via a decryption code. This is a vital weapon in the armoury against cybercrime as it means data cannot be accessed or modified by anyone other than the sender or the recipient. 

Even by introducing just one of these extra login measures your data will have one extra layer of security in place, protecting it from outside threats.


Get the ball rolling 

If you hadn’t really considered the safety of your data stored in the cloud as you assumed the third-party kept it safe, it may be worth giving the team at SupportWise a call. 

We can assess what security you already have in place and make suggestions for improvements. You can never be too secure when it comes to data security so take those first steps today.