How to Avoid Cyber Security Risks of Cloud Computing

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Learn here how to make cloud computing safe and efficient for your business.)

From automation, flexibility, improved collaboration to independence to work from anyone, cloud computing has all the benefits businesses expect from the technology.

After all, it lets them process, store and share their data with more flexibility.

Here is a tradeoff—

Cloud technology is not immune to cybercrimes.

A Ponemon Institute reports entitled “Man in Cloud Attack” found that data breaching was three times more likely to break out in cloud services than other technologies.

No wonder why 90 percent of organizations are bothered about their public cloud security.

However, cloud computing is beneficial, if implied right with security measures given below.

Cybersecurity Education:

Sometimes, employees forget to log off their PC. Sometimes they respond to the phishing mails.

Therefore, you should educate your employees about cybersecurity practices. This way, they can identify the things that can put the company’s data into vulnerability.

Here are the ways to educate them on cybersecurity.

  • Involve the entire company in a cyber-education program, from top to the bottom. When they are actively involved in defending company information, a sense of responsibility will be developed within them. Cybersecurity training should be an important part of your company’s culture.
  • Explain to them how cyber-attacks can cost both your business reputation and data with real examples.
  • Create a robust cybersecurity policy.
  • Create a response protocol in case employees feel they are under the cyber threat. Provide them a document including all the steps to be taken in several scenarios so they will always be prepared.
  • Test your employees frequently to find out if they are practicing cybersecurity methods. For example, you can send them a mock phishing email to see if they take an appropriate action.

Opt for Private Cloud for Processing Sensitive Information:

While public cloud is cheaper, it is not right for keeping your sensitive information due to its shared environment. The use of private cloud is highly recommended for sensitive information. Although it is expensive, it is more secure and safe.

Beware of Insider Threats:

Not all employees have work ethics. They may sell sensitive information to a competitor for getting a favor or a ransom.

Also termed as insider threats, such employees can be your ex-employees, especially those who are fired and look for wrecking vengeance. They are more dangerous than virus or a hacker as they are familiar with your company’s environment.

To keep such threat at a bay, monitor your employees’ systems and consider changing their credentials once they leave your company.

Have a Data Backup Plan:

You never know when you lose your data. And there are many ways to lose it, from accidental deletion, viruses to cybercrime. It is even important as the possibility of permanent data loss is very real over the cloud.

It goes without saying that you should have a data backup plan in a place. It will ensure you a peace of mind that at least you won’t lose your important data in case of any threats.

Create Strong Passwords:

The last thing you should worry about is your passwords. Nearly 90% of passwords are easy to crack within seconds. Be careful with your passwords as files over cloud are zipped and encrypted with passwords. Therefore, create a strong password. A good password is composed of at least eight characters, one number and mixed case. Ask if your cloud vendor can provide passwords through OTP.

So these are the tips to deal with the cyber security issues related to the cloud. What do you think? Please let us know by commenting below!