Use Caution with The Cloud

Almost a decade ago, cloud technologies burst onto the scene and quickly became the go-to storage solution for many businesses. With this wide-scale, global adoption of cloud-based technologies, along with the rapid pace at which these technologies are evolving, cyber threats and bad actors have the potential to threaten nations, industries, organizations, and even individuals.

Much like traditional, on-site storage options, cloud-based systems are also at risk for security breaches via improper password or access control policies, service disruptions, and improperly configured systems. This Forbes article stated, “Reports indicate that about 20 percent of enterprise data is currently cloud-based, a number that will increase leaps and bounds as new cloud-based technologies move into the picture. But, while these new technologies have the power to drive transformation and innovation, they also create new opportunities and attack surfaces for threat actors to exploit.”

Typically, when a cloud provider agrees to house your data, they are not agreeing to secure it, meaning that any sensitive information could be exposed or vulnerable to a breach. As these breaches become more common throughout the country, many states are passing legislation that requires an individual to be notified if their data has been compromised, and instituting fines for companies that do not comply with these rules. As cyber threats and legislative measures are increasing nationwide, businesses must increase security measures as necessary to ensure their data is secure no matter the storage solution.

The default settings for cloud-based technologies do not typically meet the business or regulatory needs required to maintain compliance. Sometimes businesses or organizations believe their data is continually backed up to the cloud and therefore is retrievable at any point, but this is not always the case. Fortunately, network security experts can provide recommendations for a business’s unique situation and ensure the appropriate preventative measures are taken when handling sensitive information.