Best tips to prevent your cloud storage breaches
Many new and rising businesses place a high focus on data security. Physical data storage has some limits, but in terms of safety, they are far superior to cloud storage. As with physical data storage, no third party is involved. However, this does not imply that cloud storage is not secure. If properly installed, they are extremely cost effective. However, before deciding on cloud storage, we should consider a few tips so we can prevent any possible data breaches.
What is cloud storage
Cloud storage is a service that allows you to store your data on a cloud server in any location specified by the service provider. You can access your data at any time and from any location over the internet. Instead of saving files on large drives or on-premise computers, data is uploaded to a network of servers managed by a cloud service provider.
There are several cloud storage service companies on the market. Google Drive, Mega, Dropbox, and Amazon S3 are some of the popular cloud storage solutions. However, the best alternative will be determined by your specific demands. If you are seeking for more security-focused storage, consider a storage with the strongest encryption mechanisms. However, there are other storage solutions that specialize on storing big amounts of data at a minimal cost. But why should cloud storage include security features?
Why secure cloud storage is important
Cloud storage is vulnerable to cyber assaults such as data leaks, virus, and ransomware. If your cloud storage uses the strongest encryption methods, hackers will have a difficult time gaining access to your data. Now data is no longer only a byproduct of business; it has emerged as a commodity in itself. If it is not safe, it will have a significant impact on your business.
We recommend employing storage options that include redundancy and backups, allowing organizations to recover crucial data and continue operations with minimal downtime.
Tips to prevent your cloud storage breaches
Data hacking has been identified as one of the most serious risks in 2024, owing to the growing reliance on digital data for business operations, personal communication, financial transactions, and so on. A data leak may seriously damage an organization’s reputation. So, to avoid this, we recommend several safety features that your cloud storage should include for a more secure business environment.
1. Enabled Multi-Factor Authentication
Having multiple layers of security minimizes the danger of being attacked by ransomware or a cyber attack.Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another degree of security to your data. MFA is not confined to data in the cloud. It can be used to improve security in a range of settings, including email, social media, and online shopping accounts, by preventing unwanted access.
If your cloud storage have MFA verification then you can choose that. As the name indicates, MFA requires additional verification to confirm authorized access, which can take the form of a code texted to your phone or a fingerprint scan. If your password is leaked (for example, by phishing or a data breach), the attacker will still require the additional factor to access your account.
2. Duplicating data across multiple servers
Data duplication/replication is a practice employed by many of my users to improve the security of their online data.You cloud storage must have data backup features available. By keeping copies of data on many servers, you ensure that if one fails or becomes inaccessible, the other versions of the data are still accessible. This strategy is not frequently advised because it increases the possibility of unauthorized access to data.
However, there are certain advantages to replication, such as the ability to transfer load across numerous servers, which improves performance and response time. Replicated data acts as an extra backup. In the event that data is accidentally deleted or corrupted, you can restore from a recent and consistent backup.
3. should have Zero-Knowledge Encryption
Zero-Knowledge Encryption assures that the service provider does not have access to the encryption keys or decrypted information. This gives consumers control over access to their data and assures that only authorized users may decrypt and read the content. When sharing encrypted data, Zero-Knowledge Encryption ensures that your data is completely private and secret, and that no one, even the service provider, has access to it or keeps logs.
We cannot classify zero knowledge as an encryption protocol; rather, it is a process in which data is encrypted on the user side before being sent to the destination. Most users who wish to keep their data private and secure prefer this encryption.
4. Software and System Update
Updates often have patches that address bugs and security laws. Several vulnerabilities are brought to light that can be exploited by hackers. Regular upgrades ensure that the cloud system has the latest security measures to prevent attacks. Operating systems and cloud storage platforms release updates that fix vulnerabilities. However, if any vulnerability is not addressed, these weaknesses can expose your data to infections and attacks. Automatic updates are a helpful solution as they ensure systems are up-to-date. Neglecting such updates results in security threats and decreased performance over time.
5. Limit Access
Limiting access and permissions reduce the risks of unauthorized breaches. If you can control who can access your cloud storage, the chances of sensitive data exposure are significantly reduced. The rule of least privilege, meaning that users are granted the minimum level of access, is essential. Reviewing the access for users regularly is also important. Individuals can switch roles in an organization so their access needs to be reassessed. Outdated permissions can lead to potential security risks. The process of reviewing user access can be to automated by Cloud Management tools.
6. Monitor Activity
To maintain the security and integrity of cloud storage storage, it is essential to monitor cloud activity. Enable the activity logs and real-time monitoring to track the data logins and access from unknown locations. Monitoring tools such as Microsoft Azure Monitor and AWS Cloudtrail provide detailed records and statistics and set up custom alerts for unusual behaviors. Real-time notifications and alerts help to mitigate and address the damage. This step also helps in compliance by making the logs available for audits. It also traces security incidents back to source.
7. Regular Backups
Regular backing up of data ensures safety in hardware failure, accidental deletion, and security breaches. You can restore important files without relying on a storage provider. These backups are maximum secured if they are encrypted. This ensures the data can not be accessed even if the device is compromised. In addition, automating the backups maintains consistency, reducing the chances of forgetting the backups of important files.
8. Choose a Trusted Provider
Choosing a reputable provider that focuses on security Features such as encryption and audits is essential. Data encryption protects from unauthorized access, and compliance with HIPPA, and GDRP ensures that the provider adheres to strict security measures. When evaluating a reputable provider, go through the reviews, policies, and resources of service. This allows the understanding of their data storage and protection mechanism and response protocols. By choosing a provider with a strong security record, risks of potential data breaches can be minimized.
9. Strong Passwords
In securing your cloud and accounts, using strong passwords is one of the most critical steps. Using a strong password which is complex and consist of numbers, specific characters, and upper and lower case alphabets is helpful. It is recommended to avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. As it would compromise other accounts if one is breached. Managing complex passwords can be a tough task. Password Managers help in this regard. This tool helps to create a strong password for each account and secures them. Even if an individual forgets the password, the password manager has got your back.
10. Education and Awareness
Educating your employees on cloud security is essential to protect organizational data. Training the staff should cover key practices such as recognition of phishing attempts and downloading malware. The staff should be trained in secure handling and storing sensitive data. Additionally, it is crucial to follow guidelines for password management and organizational security policies. By developing a proactive approach to cloud security, risks can significantly be mitigated and staff can be equipped to handle threats.
