Security is a top concern for today’s businesses. Many owners have heard stories about businesses of any size being hacked, leading to the loss of crucial data or to confidential data being released online. Hacking doesn’t just impact large businesses, so it’s important for any business that is online, which is the majority today, to be aware of potential security issues. Using the cloud does provide numerous benefits, but it’s important to be aware of its vulnerabilities and prepare for them to avoid any security breaches.
Use Encryption
Encryption should always be used when data is being transferred. Experts handling DevOps security use encryption to help reduce the potential for anyone to be able to see what data is being transferred, as it adds another layer of protection for all data. When anything is being uploaded to the cloud or downloaded for use, it should be encrypted. Cloud servers should provide encryption for everything stored on them, as well, to make sure the data is more secure.
Manage Access
Who has access to the cloud and the data it contains? When more people have access to the data, the potential for anything to happen increases. Employees do make mistakes. But, by managing the access more carefully and limiting who is able to access the cloud, it’s possible to minimize the potential for anything to go wrong. Make sure everyone has proper clearance for the amount of data they can view or interact within the cloud and avoid providing access to anyone who isn’t cleared to use it.
Continued Monitoring
Security is ongoing. It’s not possible to just set up a few security features and assume everything is fine. The cloud should be continuously monitored for any potential issues. When something does happen, or there is a security threat, it’ll be caught a lot faster, and damage control can minimize the potential for anything to occur. Continuously monitoring can stop attacks before they happen by leading to the discovery and removal of any malware that gets in.
Routine Testing
Any changes to the system, no matter how large or small, can create security gaps. These gaps are what hackers will use to get into the cloud and steal or delete data. Penetration testing can be done to determine if there are any security gaps and, if so, what could potentially happen if someone else discovers and uses it. By testing frequently and routinely, it’s possible to spot these gaps and make sure they’re fixed before anything happens.
Continually Train
Ongoing training for employees is always important and can help reduce the security risks a business faces. Make sure all employees are trained in how to spot malware, viruses, and phishing attempts. When they can recognize these types of attacks, they can get help before falling victim and unintentionally letting someone get into the system.
Security is not something to dismiss. Businesses have experienced malware, hacking, viruses, and more that leave them vulnerable to security breaches or lead to loss of crucial data. When this happens, it can be difficult to impossible to recover from. Instead, take a proactive approach and start working on keeping the cloud environment secure. By increasing security and taking the right steps to keep issues from appearing, it’s possible to keep the data secure and prevent hacking or other attacks.