How Secure Is Cloud Data?

If you use a device purchased in the past few years, then you’ll no doubt be aware of the cloud. Users with modern devices are often ‘pinged’ by their device to ask whether they’d like to upload their photos or files to a cloud storage service.

While the term ‘cloud storage’ might not sound like the most secure place to store your valuable data, you may be surprised to learn that generally, it is one of the safest ways of protecting your data. It is also a service that is providing massive benefits to modern-day business. Let’s dive into the details and discuss how secure is cloud data?

What is cloud storage?

Cloud storage is an infrastructure that provides data storage and protection of files. Rather than being held solely on your device, your files are transferred to an online server owned by the cloud company and mirrored back to your device (often in real-time).

There are clearly numerous benefits here. For starters, your data is stored securely away from your own device, which means if you are compromised or hacked then you’ll still have access to your files. Real-time edits allow for collaborative working, and moving files to cloud storage frees up space on your own device. In addition, to file storage cloud computing can also allow for on-demand services such as databases, and extra computing power as and when they are needed.
These extra services provide newfound capabilities for businesses that may be transitioning through different periods of growth and need infrastructure that can easily adapt.

How secure is cloud storage?

Many of the big cloud providers pride themselves on their privacy and security protocol, after all, serious breaches are a sure-fire way to sabotage their reputation and ensure that no one wants to keep their data there. Because of this they carry out regular security and maintenance and hire experts to ensure they are ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest threats – of which we know there are many.

Security measures like high-level encryption, data partitioning, and specific user permissions should be integrated into cloud packages as a matter of fact and can act as a buffer against outcomes like data loss and leaks. However, it’s not always a given, and you should be sure to double-check they are included if you want to bulletproof your business.

Choosing a cloud provider

While cloud computing from the big providers might work for small start-ups and independent traders, it is often a wiser choice to invest in a tailor-made solution that avoids a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Large providers are notorious for being difficult to contact, and businesses are forced to adapt to their routines when it comes to upgrades and updates. Something that may become a headache at best, and highly disruptive at the worst – particularly if your business operates in a different time zone or works unsociable hours.

Working with an IT Services Provider to provide your own independent cloud solution will mean that you are isolated from any problems with the big providers that arise, and make you less of a target to online criminals. It also means downtime is kept to a minimum, and you’ll have dedicated support when you need it.

Here at ECL, we offer Private Cloud Services that are exclusively used by our clients. Using ECL-owned cutting-edge servers, our private cloud is ideal for those who want to take advantage of the wide-ranging benefits of cloud computing but have reservations about who to trust with their data. To learn more about our Cloud Services, make sure to contact our teams of IT experts.