Data and information are valuable. In fact, for many businesses, data is the most important asset they own. With the right data, businesses can optimize operations, grow profit, expand, and gain an advantage in a competitive marketplace.
This is why IT security and data protection are so important. There are threats constantly searching for flaws and vulnerabilities in your IT security measures to steal data.
In the past, most companies were reluctant to embrace cloud data storage. The thought of keeping valuable data offsite, in a cloud sever connected to the internet, didn’t seem logical. Cloud data storage providers recognized this flaw and have put the time and resources into solving the problem.
Today, cloud data storage solutions are rank among the most secure available. With the right provider, cloud data security can significantly improve your IT security and add an extra layer of protection to your key data. We’ll look at a few of the benefits of cloud data storage, and review steps you can take to improve data security with a cloud data solution.
The Benefits of IT Security using Cloud Data Storage for Business
Files stored on a reliable and trustworthy cloud data storage solution provide powerful IT security for businesses. Benefits of cloud data security and storage are as follows:
1. Automatic backup and redundancy
Cloud service providers typically offer multiple backups and redundancy measures for your data. That means the provider will copy your data at least three times and store your data in three separate locations. This is done automatically as part of your standard cloud data security service. Each time you upload new data and at regularly scheduled intervals, your data is copied and securely stored.
Unlike on-premise or local storage, there is little chance of ever losing any data. Even when data is lost, it can usually be recovered in a few days, and often within hours. Most cloud service providers offer data backup and recovery as a standard service. Recovering data from a local server that fails can be expensive, if it’s even possible.
2. Remote Access
Businesses run on data. Data kept on a local server can be difficult to access, especially for employees out of the office. This can hurt productivity and cost you time and money. Employees without access to data are forced to guess or call someone to retrieve the information they need.
Cloud data storage eliminates this problem by giving instant, secure access to data wherever you have access to Wi-Fi and a web browser. Employees can quickly and easily log in from a phone to retrieve information. Remote access is a powerful feature for many cloud data storage providers.
3. Data and IT Security
With on premises servers and hard drives, you and your team are responsible for security. The risk of data loss is held by the company and your IT team. Whatever security your team uses to counter IT security threats requires your own time and resources. There is only one set of eyes focused on your data protection strategy.
Cloud data storage providers are experts in IT security. Cloud data security typically starts with data encryption. Your data is automatically encrypted the minute you upload it. Without the encryption key, your data is undecipherable to a user who lacks access, including hackers.
Physical security is another benefit of cloud data storage for business. A secure cloud data storage is more difficult to physically access than an office or server room. Many businesses don’t consider physical theft of servers when planning IT security.
Improving IT Security with Cloud Data Storage for Business
The best solution for IT security is a combination of cloud data security with business security protocols. Here are a few strategies you should consider in addition to cloud data storage:
- Limit access to data: The more access points you provide IT security threats, the less secure your data. Segment your data and limit access to only required users.
- Use authenticated encryption: Authenticated encryption of your data provides excellent protection through a single, easy-to-use interface. Consider it for your IT security needs.
- Review your security and privacy protocols: Take the time to review the IT security and cloud data security measures taken by the cloud data storage provider. Ask questions and determine who carries risk and how the provider can meet your requirements.
Today, there is no foolproof, completely safe data storage security system. But there are practical, low-cost steps every company can take to reduce risk and protect data. By combining the already strong cloud data security measures taken by cloud data provider with the simple steps above, you can protect your data, your business, and yourself from IT security threats.
Are you ready to explore how cloud data storage solutions can protect your data and your business? Contact CDS Office Technologies and ask about Total Data Protection and cloud data solutions.
