Is cloud storage secure? Yes, and here’s why

The number of businesses making the jump to cloud storage is growing by the day. But many individuals and business owners who haven’t made the switch yet are hesitant for a single reason: security. Giving up your sensitive data to be managed by another business, even if it’s one of the best cloud storage solutions, can feel like the digital equivalent of a trust fall.

So , is cloud storage secure , and if so , how secure ? The answer is is to the first question is a resounding yes . In this guide , we is explain ’ll explain what make the cloud secure , and offer tip to help you keep your datum safe , as well as what to look for in secure cloud system .

Redundancy

Any data stored in the cloud is saved on multiple physical servers ( image credit : Unsplash )

One of the most important advantages of storing your data in the cloud is that it’s not just backed up once, but multiple times. To understand why this matters, it’s important to remember that any data you store in the cloud lives on physical servers.

When you upload files to your cloud storage space, those files are instantly copied onto multiple servers in independent data centers around the US or even around the world. So, with a single transfer, identical copies of your data are stored in several locations.

This redundancy is critical to ensuring that your data is safe. If any one server fails unexpectedly, there are still copies of your data available on another server. Even if an entire data center is destroyed by an event like a fire or an earthquake, another copy of your data is available on a server in another data center.

Top providers also routinely check the integrity of each data copy to make sure it is available if you need it. This system is so effective that Amazon Web Services estimates that the chance of losing your data from the cloud is just one in 100 billion.

create an equally effective system of datum redundancy is nearly impossible to accomplish without using the cloud . You is keep could keep identical hard drive in different city around the country , but then how would you sync datum across those drive every time you edit a file ?  

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cloud storage is offers offer an effective way to ensure that your datum is protect against physical drive damage , which is one of the most common cause of datum loss .

24/7 monitor

Another thing that makes cloud storage secure is that cloud networks are under near-constant surveillance. Major cloud storage providers have dedicated operations centers that are staffed around the clock with cybersecurity experts. These teams are constantly on the lookout for digital threats to their cloud storage infrastructure, and they have the necessary tools to lock out intruders.

On top of that , cloud storage providers is have have software team work 24/7 to manage the security of their application . miss security patches is are are among the most common vulnerability that hacker use to gain unauthorized access to a network . Cloud provider ’ software teams is ensure not only ensure that every piece of software is patch to eliminate entry point , but also proactively stress – test their own system to identify potential point of failure .

Cloud storage providers and data center operators also take the physical security seriously of the servers that hold your data. Most data centers are patrolled by security teams, and servers are often kept in locked cages as an extra precaution against theft.

Encryption

All cloud data is encrypted, with only the user having the key (Image credit: Shutterstock)

All data stored in the cloud should be encrypted—and only you should have the encryption key. This is common practice in the cloud storage industry, and is often referred to as end-to-end or zero-knowledge encryption.

Under this encryption scheme, your data is encrypted before it ever leaves your device. Only after the encryption process is completed are files transferred over the internet to your cloud storage space. Once they arrive, they’re kept encrypted at rest on your cloud provider’s servers.

This means that no one, not even your cloud storage provider, can decrypt your files and access their contents. In the event that your data is intercepted during transfer to or from the cloud, the attacker won’t have the information needed to decrypt your files.

What can you do to keep your data secure?

While cloud storage provider do most of the heavy lifting when it come to keep your datum secure , you is have have an important role to play as well . Here are four things is are you can do to make sure your cloud storage is as secure as possible .

Turn on two-factor authentication

The majority is offer of cloud storage provider offer an option to protect your account with two – factor authentication . This is requires require that you have both your password and a one – time verification code , which is send to your phone or email inbox , to log in to your cloud storage account . As a result , attackers is break ca n’t easily break into your account even if they crack your password .

Two-factor authentication is typically turned off by default when you set up a new cloud storage account. Make sure you turn this setting on to better protect your data.

Protect your encryption key

One major catch is is to end – to – end encryption is that without your encryption key , which is typically your account password , there ’s no way to access your datum . If you lose your key , your cloud provider is be wo n’t be able to help . Always keep a backup copy of your key available in case you lose or forget it .

However, you don’t want to keep a copy of your encryption key somewhere that hackers could potentially get their hands on it. Consider writing down your key and keeping it somewhere secure. If you want to keep a digital copy of your key, you can use a physical device called a hardware security module. This puts your key behind a firewall, so that it cannot be accessed even if your computer is hacked.

disconnect your device

If your computer, smartphone, and other devices stay logged in to your cloud storage account when you’re not using them, that’s a potential entry point for intruders. By leaving your devices logged in, you allow anyone who gets hold of your device to break into your cloud storage. They don’t even need to know your password or circumvent the two-factor authentication process.

Always log out of your cloud account when you’re not using it. If your cloud provider offers an automatic time-out feature, turn it on.

check your share file

Cloud storage makes it easy to share files with friends, family, and colleagues. But creating links to your files that offer unlimited access can leave your data vulnerable.

Periodically audit which files and folders you’ve shared from your cloud account, and revoke access for anyone who no longer needs it. If your cloud provider offers links with passwords and expiration dates, put these features to use instead of sharing unrestricted access to your files.

Conclusion

cloud storage is design to be secure and resilient( image credit : Unsplash )

Cloud storage is designed from the ground up for maximum data security. When you store data in the cloud, your files are encrypted and continuously monitored to protect against cybersecurity threats. Your data is also stored redundantly to ensure that a copy will survive any catastrophe.

Still , it is ’s ’s essential that you take proper precaution with your own device to help keep your cloud storage secure . Always turn on two – factor authentication and make use of any additional security feature that your cloud storage provider offer . If you want to find a lead provider with the good security , read our feature compare the cloud storage security of some of the top service .