In today’s highly competitive business environment, businesses need to do everything they can to operate more efficiently and be as lean as possible. Cloud computing is a potential solution for multiple types of businesses. It allows users to outsource their data storage systems into the cloud, which creates better security and facilitates internal file sharing across multiple devices at once.
Cloud Computing vs. Cloud Storage
Cloud computing is when your business outsources its data processing to a third party that has better technology than what you could use in-house. This option is becoming increasingly popular in tech-savvy businesses. It delivers scalable technology that can adapt to changes in your company’s needs.
Cloud storage is when your business outsources its data storage to a third party, which can be useful for businesses with large amounts of files and data. This option also lets multiple users access the same file at once from different locations.
How Cloud Increases Efficiency and Security for Small/Mid Size Businesses
In business, efficiency is key. When you have more things automated in your company, it speeds up workflow and can help cut down on manual errors. As more companies are becoming aware of the benefits of cloud computing, all sorts of new possibilities have emerged for businesses. For example, consider what happens when a business without an IT department purchases office software from a provider in the cloud. There’s no need to hire an expensive contractor to set up servers and install the software. Companies can now access their software from any location that has an Internet connection, which also makes it easier to work from home or on the go.
The Security of Your Data and Privacy in The Cloud
With cloud computing, businesses don’t have to worry about maintaining their own servers and networks—that’s taken care of by the cloud provider. It’s important to note that, when it comes to business security, suppliers are responsible for managing data encryption and protecting your company’s information. However, if your company stores personal data in the cloud (for example, sensitive medical or financial records), you may need to take additional steps like encrypting this type of data yourself before uploading it to the cloud.
This only applies if you are using 3rd party software on your computer with its own encryption method which can be turned on or off by the user. Cloud based solutions that are built into Operating Systems, Email Programs etc. encrypt all data at rest and in transit by default with full key management being done by the built in encryption software.
You can also be diligent about reviewing your cloud providers’ security policies and procedures to make sure they’re a good fit for your company’s business needs.
Other Security Considerations When Using Cloud Computing
There are some security risks associated with the use of certain cloud computing models, such as Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). For example, a company’s data transmissions might go through a public network or internet connection which can be more susceptible to security risks. Similarly, the virtual machines and storage containers created by IaaS use public networks for processing and storage, so they have similar vulnerabilities. In both situations, it’s important that employees understand the security risks and know how to avoid them.
Some cloud computing security issues and challenges include:
– Data location: If your company stores its data in a different country, it may fall under the protection of that nation’s laws and surveillance programs. Also, you may need to comply with applicable business regulation for this jurisdiction.
– Data sovereignty: Sometimes businesses store their data on servers located outside of their home country. This can lead to legal concerns, including issues with maintaining privacy and avoiding government surveillance.
– Data ownership: Even if your company stores its data in the cloud, it still owns the data. It’s important to understand how this works for your particular situation so you can properly maintain ownership of your data. For instance, do you only own the copy on the server, or do you own copies on all of your business’s devices?
– Data access: If company employees need to upload large files (like video footage), it can be challenging if the internet service is slow or not readily available. Be prepared for this issue by having a high-speed Internet connection in place before beginning the migration process.
All in all, when you ask yourself, “How secure is cloud storage?”, you want to remember that providers are responsible for properly securing your data. Like nearly all security measures, it’s important to be diligent about finding the service that best fits the needs of your company and enforcing good cloud security practices with employees.
More importantly, the pros of cloud technology far outweigh the cons. It can level the playing field for businesses of all sizes, because it allows them to access information from anywhere, anytime. It also makes teams more efficient because everyone has secure access to the same data and programs at all times.
Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.
We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.
