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Best Practices for Securing the Cloud

Contributed Article by Jennifer Page

The cloud provides benefits to today’s businesses, especially in the post-pandemic world where more employees are working from home. Whether a business has all employees in the office, is trying out a hybrid model, or is completely virtual, the cloud makes it possible for employees to work. When storing data in the cloud, however, it must be secure. Businesses can use the following best practices to start securing the cloud and preventing hacks or other attacks that can compromise vital data.

Encrypt Data in the Cloud

One of the biggest concerns for cloud supply chain security is the ability of a hacker to access the data. All data in the cloud should be encrypted to protect it from theft or destruction. While a hacker can still delete the data, if it is encrypted, they may not be able to tell what’s important and what’s not. By the time the hack is detected and stopped, it may be possible to save the data because of this. Look into encryption for every part of the process, from uploading or downloading data to keeping it secure while it’s stored in the cloud.

Establish Policies for Deleting Data

Deleting data seems easy enough, but it could lead to vulnerabilities that hackers can use to access the data. Have a policy in place that establishes what happens when data does need to be deleted. This can also help ensure crucial data isn’t accidentally deleted or that it is recoverable for a short period of time after it has been deleted. It is a good idea to make sure the data is still secure if it can be recovered for a period of time after the deletion to avoid it being accessed by an unauthorized person.

Control Who Accesses the Data

Data in the cloud shouldn’t be accessible by everyone that works for the business. Only provide access to those who require it and have proper authorization. It is important to create a list of who can access the data and any limitations on the access. When employees need access to different types of data, create access options that keep the remainder of the data secure, only allowing employees to see what they’re authorized to see. This limits the number of people able to view the data, which can help make it more secure.

Monitor for Security Threats

Constant monitoring is needed for data stored in the cloud. There are a number of security challenges businesses should know about and plan for when securing data in the cloud. Proper monitoring can help spot any risks as soon as they appear, which can mean stopping them before any data is compromised. Even smaller businesses will want to monitor for security threats, as hackers will try to gain access to private information no matter how large or small a business might be, especially if the business is lax on monitoring and it’s easier to access the data.

Try Penetration Testing

Can hackers get into the cloud through a loophole and access the data? This is a concern today, but there are techniques to help deal with it. Conduct penetration testing regularly to find the loopholes that could allow for unauthorized access and take the necessary steps to correct them. Penetration testing should be done on a regular basis to help discover potential risks as well as any time there are major updates to the cloud, to the security for the cloud, or to when and how employees can access the data.

Provide Training for Employees

Proper training for employees on digital security is vital. Mistakes that may seem minor, like reusing a password or picking out a password that is easily guessed, can lead to major issues if the cloud is able to be accessed by someone who doesn’t have the proper authorization. While initial employee training may cover security risks and how to prevent them, this is something that should be covered regularly. Meetings done on a regular basis or training materials that must be reviewed occasionally are great ways to continue to educate employees on cloud security and what they can do to keep the data more secure.

While the cloud is a fantastic resource for businesses and provides numerous benefits, it does come with risks. Businesses must be aware of these risks and take an active role in preventing anything from happening. Though the cloud provider will have security measures in place that can help protect the data, it is up to the business to check everything and close as many loopholes as possible to prevent viruses or hackers from accessing data.

Take the time now to review the security of the cloud and see what changes may need to be made to make everything more secure. Use the information here to make sure your business is following best practices and look into help that may be available to keep the cloud more secure now and in the future.