October 19, 2016
The nightmare of forever-lost, accidentally deleted files could potentially be over with the advent of cloud computing, but security breaches pose a new set of concerns for business professionals.
On the professional side, failure to protect customer data is a public relations nightmare that could also open businesses up to litigation. A 2013 data breach at Target exposed the information of 40 million customers according to CNN. VISA, several U.S. banks, and customers filed class action lawsuits against the retailer. Target paid $67 million to Visa, $39 million to the banks, and $10 million to customers — a total of $116 million in tangible losses due to one data breach.
Important personal data can also be the target of a malicious attack — such as what happened to Wired magazine writer Mat Honan. A hacker broke into his personal cloud storage accounts and deleted all pictures of his then-18-month-old daughter, according to InformationWeek.
It’s no wonder that corporate IT security teams are kept awake at night wondering how if an unscrupulous competitor is able to access their sensitive data, memos, ideas, etc.
Here are 6 simple tips to enhance your cloud security:
- Find out who runs your cloud.
- Ask where your data is going to be stored.
- Get proof of certification.
- Deploy IAM tools.
- Be mindful of Network Security.
- Formalize and Enforce an IT policy.
Though no organization is completely immune to malicious insiders or external threats, companies must ensure they are not exposed to obvious security threats in the cloud. It is always advisable to choose a cloud partner who is aware of potential vulnerabilities and works proactively to address them. Ensuring a robust IT security system is in place will not only help safeguard your company’s financial future, but strengthen the trust-based relationship with your customers.
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