Data Security in the Cloud
Many considering cloud computing raise concerns about the security of data being stored and accessed online. What’s important to consider is that good providers adhere to strict privacy policies and sophisticated security measures, with data encryption being one example. Companies can choose to encrypt data before even storing it on a third-party provider’s servers. As a result, many cloud providers offer greater data security and confidentiality than companies that choose to store their data in-house. However, not all providers will offer the same level of security. We recommend that if you have concerns over security and access you should research any potential providers policies before using their service. Technology analyst and consulting firm Gartner lists seven security issues to keep in mind when considering cloud services:
- Privileged user access–enquire about who has access to data and about the hiring and management of such administrators
- Regulatory compliance–make sure a vendor is willing to undergo external audits and/or security certifications
- Data location–ask if a provider allows for any control over the location of data
- Data segregation–make sure that encryption is available at all stages and that these “encryption schemes were designed and tested by experienced professionals”
- Recovery–find out what will happen to data in the case of a disaster; do they offer complete restoration and, if so, how long that would take
- Investigative Support–inquire whether a vendor has the ability to investigate any inappropriate or illegal activity
- Long-term viability–ask what will happen to data if the company goes out of business; how will data be returned and in what format
Generally speaking, however, security is usually improved by keeping data in one centralized location. In high security data centers like those used offered by Net at Work, security is typically as good as or better than traditional systems, in part because providers are able to devote resources to solving security issues that many customers cannot afford. Learn more about our range of Cloud Services and Cloud Computing Solutions.
