In today’s digital age, businesses are turning to cloud service due to its benefits. For instance, cloud services allow businesses to store and access data from anywhere. However, while there are benefits, cloud services are not without drawbacks. The only way to ensure your data is secure is by following the best practices below.

Tips To Secure Data in Cloud Services

1. Select a Reliable Provider

It goes without saying that selecting the right provider is the most critical thing in protecting your data. With cloud services in high demand, there has been an increase in the number of cloud service providers. While competition is a good thing from the customer perspective, it brings challenges.

With so many companies operating in this domain, there is a probability that you may select the wrong one. Therefore, when selecting a cloud service provider, ensure it is reliable. You can do so by going through its reviews and looking at its certifications. At the very least, the company must be HIPAA and PCI DSS-compliant.

2. Understand Your Responsibilities

There’s a popular belief that as soon as you shift to the cloud, all responsibilities shift to the service provider. It is not the case as there are several things whose sole responsibility lies with you, i.e. the client. For instance, securing the devices you may use to access the cloud is your responsibility alone.

The below picture provides an overview of the client’s, service provider’s, and shared responsibilities.

Source: Microsoft

3. Don’t Rely on Passwords Alone

Of course, passwords are the first line of defence, but the problem is that they can be compromised. Your employees may use an easy-to-guess password, which a hacker can gain access to using phishing techniques. Even if you use a strong password, hackers may find a way to steal it.

Therefore, go for a multifaceted approach rather than rely on passwords alone. It involves using two-factor authentication, fingerprints, facial recognition, or a physical security key. These technologies greatly reduce the risk of unwanted individuals or groups accessing your data.

4. Encrypt Your Data

Top-rated cloud service providers always encrypt your data, regardless of whether it is in transit or rest. Ask your cloud service provider about their encryption practices. If they do not encrypt your data during transit, we recommend pressuring them to do so or opt for an alternative service provider.

If you cannot change service providers, you can opt for tools that can help encrypt the data at various stages. Of course, not every encryption tool is reliable or within budget. You will need to do a little research to determine which one is perfect for your requirements.

5. Determine Who Has Access to the Data

Most organisations design policies against outside attacks. What they don’t realise is that even their employees may compromise their data, knowingly or unknowingly. You need to implement robust access controls to protect your data from employees.

It involves determining who has access to the data and to what extent. The general rule of thumb is that users must only have access to that data, which is critical to their job role. Any other data should be inaccessible. If your data was breached, here are the top steps to follow after a data breach.

6. Monitor Cloud Activity

Again, top cloud service providers offer automatic activity reports. What do these reports include? The report provides information on any suspicious activity and logs for each user. Organisations are highly recommended to go through these reports as they can be instrumental in identifying suspicious activity.

7. Train Your Employees

Smart organisations understand that employees are the weakest link in their security infrastructure. It is why they invest substantial resources in their training and development. Even then, employees may make a costly mistake that can be disastrous for an organisation.

However, it does not mean that organisations stop training employees. On the contrary, they should make training more frequent and rigorous. A best practice regarding security training is to conduct simulations to test whether the employees have gained an understanding of the training materials.

8. Implement Zero Trust Principles

The zero trust principle means that all network traffic is a threat and requires verification. Indeed, it can be frustrating for employees who may consider zero-trust principles as a way of doubting their integrity. However, these principles are known to enhance security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, businesses shouldn’t blindly trust cloud service providers. They need to take extra steps to truly secure their data. Agile Managex Technologies specialises in cybersecurity services, including cloud storage. Our experts will help develop and implement customised security solutions to protect your digital assets. Contact us for further information.

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