Through the last decade, cloud computing has revolutionized business IT and changed how – and where – companies can now operate. However, while the technology has brought tremendous benefits and helped even small firms streamline their operations, it is still at risk from cybercriminals determined to breach defenses.
There’s little question that cloud computing is considerably more secure than maintaining an in-house business network but there are nonetheless extra precautions you should take to minimize the risk to your data and hosted software. Of course, your provider will do all they can to protect you but often, the risks come from their clients rather than from their service alone.
Going above and beyond your cloud provider’s security
If you’re worried about the security of your cloud network and potential backdoors that nefarious hackers might use to infiltrate your data, below are some extra measures you can take to reduce the risk of suffering a breach.
Employ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your platforms: Two-Factor Authentication is one of the most effective ways to protect your systems from being infiltrated. With 2FA, users trying to gain access to sensitive data are sent an additional code to another device, normally by SMS to their cellphones. It effectively adds an extra layer of protection as, while it’s possible a hacker might have learned your password, it’s highly unlikely they will also have your mobile device.
Ensure your provider is running the best security possible: If you’re running multiple apps in your cloud environment, you should check that your provider is also running zero trust solutions across your entire network. Often the weakest point in a cloud service can occur when apps try to communicate or share data so you should ensure your provider has taken adequate precautions.
Manage the access you provide to your employees: It’s highly unlikely that all of your team needs blanket access to your data and applications so instead, look at offering tiered access rights depending on their needs. Restricting files and software from particular users is a very effective way to ensure your network isn’t just completely open to all.
Make sure you develop an off-boarding process: You will have almost undoubtedly put your staff through some form of onboarding process and you should do the same when they leave. You should ensure that when an employee quits your firm, their access to your valuable data ceases immediately – not, as is often the case, weeks after they leave.
Provide comprehensive security training to your team to help them spot attacks: No matter how good your provider’s security is, if you don’t train your team in the dangers of attacks, you’ll be leaving yourself wide open to potential breaches. It’s worth remembering that humans (i.e., staff) are very often the weakest link when it comes to a firm’s security.
Identify and rectify the risks potentially posed by BYOD: BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device and is a risk that faces even the most security-savvy company. With so many of us now owning smartphones, tablets, and laptops, allowing your team to access your network on these devices is akin to opening the door to hackers. Sure, you may take a diligent approach to your security but there’s no guaranteeing your team does and allowing these gadgets to access your network can bring all manner of problems.
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