Five Ways to Keep Data Safe in the Cloud

Nowadays, almost everybody uses cloud storage to some extent.

Anyone with an email or social media has their data on the cloud, whether they know what cloud storage is or not.

Cloud storage is one of the most common ways to store data because a cloud can ensure its security. If a fire or accident affects your home or office, knowing that all of your data is secure in the cloud can make you worry less about recovering from a major accident.

This is a far cry from the technology of past decades, where a single disaster in the physical premises can also spell disaster for digital information.

Still, while most people already use data storage, not everyone knows that cloud storage by itself is not a very secure way to store files. Especially if you have sensitive information that only a few people should have access to.

There are some ways to keep your data safer in the cloud, and in this article, we’ll discuss five of them. 

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1. Avoid storing your most sensitive information

Since cloud storage is not foolproof, it means that it can still be subject to attacks. While this means that your regular data can be stored on the cloud without much worry, sensitive information is best stored elsewhere.

There are always risks that come with using cloud storage. When it comes to the bulk of your data, which can reach multiple terabytes or even petabytes, the benefits of using cloud storage may outweigh the risks.

But when it comes to your most sensitive information, the risks are not worth it most of the time. They’re better off stored physically where you can secure them at ease.

2. Encrypt your files before uploading

When you upload your files to the cloud, they’re stored as-is, without much change. Sure, there’s minimal encryption, but anyone with the right tools and knowledge can easily know what’s inside without much effort.

It’s always better to encrypt your files yourself before sending them over to the cloud. The simplest way to do this is by zipping your files and encrypting them with a password.

Even free tools like 7-Zip, WinRAR, and WinZip let you do this process, and they don’t take more than several minutes, even for large files. That way, even if someone does get access to the cloud and takes the files, they can’t open them without having the password.

You can also take encryption to the next level by using a more sophisticated tool like TrueCrypt to create a virtual disk (already the “encrypted file”) that can be set with a password.

Of course, software like TrueCrypt is more complicated to use, but that comes with the better level of protection that it can offer.

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3. Use an encrypted cloud service

If you don’t want the hassle of encrypting your files yourself, your next option would be to look for cloud storage service providers that do the encrypting and decrypting for you.

Manually doing the encrypting can be time- and resource-consuming, and if you don’t have anyone on your team who is well-versed with technology enough to do that, it may be a better choice for you.

Services like SpiderOak and Wuala are some examples of encrypted cloud services.

One thing that makes them trustworthy is their “zero-knowledge privacy.” This means that although they are doing the encrypting, no one — not even their own server administrators — has access to the files stored in their servers.

Using an encrypted cloud service can work wonders not just in protecting your files but also in giving you peace of mind knowing that only authorized people can look at the information in your files.

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4. Set up firewalls and network security systems

It’s not enough for the cloud and the files in your cloud to be protected.

If your computer has automated access to the cloud, all a hacker needs to do is gain access to your computer. From there, he can look up your passwords (if you stored them there, which you shouldn’t) and get into the cloud, bypassing all the security features.

By protecting your network, you protect your computer from intrusion. However, you shouldn’t just secure your computer. You should take the time to secure your entire network.

Even if only your computer has the highest level of access, it doesn’t make the other computers on the same network any less of a target. A data breach is disastrous regardless of the extent.

Of course, firewalls should go along with basic security systems like antivirus, anti-malware, anti-phishing, and anti-spyware software. Ensure that all these programs are updated regularly so that you don’t have any weak links.

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5. Back up your data

Even the best and most sophisticated access control systems can be attacked. There’s always that small chance that something goes wrong, and if it does happen, you’ll be thankful that you have a contingency plan.

When a data breach results in a massive data loss, it’s important to make sure that you still have a way to recover your data.

Thorough backups make sure that you and your business get back on your feet as quickly as possible. A virtual backup like cloud storage is best complemented by a physical backup like a flash drive or an external drive.

You don’t always have to store all your information in physical storage. Since physical storage can be pricier, if you have more files you need to store, you can secure only your most important information.

For tech people, it’s important to have a backup and a backup for your backup.

You can never be too safe when it comes to digital security, and if data safety is a top priority for your business (which it should be), having multiple layers of data backup is always a good thing.

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