Addressing Data Security in the Cloud

One of the early falsehoods levied against the cloud was that it presented a far greater risk to data security than an on-premises solution. Many studies conducted since then have disproved that myth. A recent report on network security concluded that cloud services are no less secure than enterprise environments, although they did present different challenges. Most notably, web application attacks were found to occur with greater frequency in a cloud environment.

Although the cloud does not present an appreciably greater security risk, enterprises can not simply ignore the importance of data security solutions for information stored off-premises. Cybercriminal activity is still occurring at an alarming rate and IT decision makers need to be sure that they are taking every measure to protect sensitive company data. CloudTweaks recently suggested several avenues for businesses to pursue to provide their information with the most comprehensive data security available when utilizing cloud services.

The news outlet recommended that enterprises begin by establishing compliance with any data management regulations that may be relevant to their industry. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, for instance, provides healthcare organizations with a strong set of measures to follow to secure patient data from identity thieves and cybercriminals. These regulatory guidelines establish a solid foundation to build a secure data protection network. However, companies will want to go beyond compliance and seek out the best available defenses.

CloudTweaks focused on the need for comprehensive encryption methods. When using cloud services, businesses will have a large volume of data being stored on off-site servers and being transmitted across either public or private networks. In order to protect this information both at rest and while in transit, IT managers will need to leverage data encryption software to prevent cybercriminals from accessing sensitive corporate files and documents.