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Storing data on a cloud eliminates the need to buy, manage, and maintain in-house storage infrastructure. Despite this convenience, the lack of control over cloud-based data remains a common concern for businesses, even though cloud storage security is typically superior to any on-premises protection.

This article is an intro to cloud storage security and the techniques cloud providers use to protect data. Read on to learn about the different aspects of keeping cloud-based data safe and see how to distinguish top-tier providers from vendors with inadequate storage protection.

Cloud storage is a cloud computing service that enables a company to store data in the cloud instead of on-site data storage. This model offers a convenient way to keep files on a third-party server and provide employees with on-demand access to data from any device.

Common use cases for cloud storage are:

As cloud-stored data does not reside on an on-prem server, a company using a public cloud must in part rely on the provider to keep data safe. The good news is that a top vendor's data center uses various practices to ensure data remains secure. These measures often include:

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If you partner with the right provider, your cloud storage will be safer than any on-prem infrastructure. However, not all cloud storage platforms are the same, and some of them are less secure than the provider likes to admit.

The right provider offers many features and frameworks a company cannot easily (or cheaply) deploy on an on-prem setup. These capabilities include:

While cloud storage security is likely more robust than what you use to protect on-prem devices, the cloud adds complexity to how data is stored. Your team needs to learn to use new tools, adjust security tactics, and set up new measures to ensure data security.

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While beneficial, the decision to move data to the cloud means exposing files to new risks. Below is a look at the most common risks and concerns of cloud storage security.

Nearly all cloud security failures result from an operational mistake made on the client's side. The most common mistakes include:

The use of unauthorized devices is an especially high risk for a company with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture. In that case, the management must create and enforce a strict BYOD policy to ensure safe operations.

Operational risks can also occur on the service provider's side. Common issues include:

If something affects your storage provider, the event will directly impact access to your data. You must wait for the provider to fix the issue, and the team may not have access to cloud-based data until the vendor's team resolves the problem.

A large part of data security is making sure no one outside the team can access the data. When you rely on a partner to store files, you increase the attack surface via which a malicious actor can reach your data.

Even if you take proper precautions to ensure no one in the team leaks data, your storage provider might accidentally expose your files and cause data leakage or pave the way for a costly attack.

Since compliance demands vary based on how and where a business stores data, cloud storage must meet all the relevant requirements. These demands can dictate the way a provider must:

Besides meeting current requirements, the cloud service must also be flexible enough to enable a business to adapt to new demands and regulations.

Cloud misconfiguration is any error or glitch that exposes cloud data to risk. Since the end users have reduced visibility and control over data and operations, misconfigurations are a common problem.

Cloud storage misconfigurations typically result from:

A misconfiguration can often lead to a data breach, either from an insider threat or an external actor who gains access to the cloud.

Conflicting and overly complex security controls can also cause issues. The most common problems appear when the provider's and client's teams set up inconsistent rules that leave security gaps a hacker can exploit.

There are two ways to alleviate the risk of conflicting security controls:

Our article on cybersecurity best practices outlines security measures and tactics that play a vital role both on-premises and in the cloud.

Cloud storage security is a shared responsibility between the service provider and the consumer. If only one side has strong data protection, the lack of security on the other end will lead to risks and attacks. Providers and consumers should approach cloud storage security in the following way:

Below is a look at the best practices of cloud storage security that enable vendors and service consumers to ensure data safety.

A cloud provider must encrypt cloud data. That way, if a malicious actor or program accesses a file, all the unauthorized user will find is scrambled data. The only way to decipher data is to use a decryption key.

A provider should encrypt data both at rest and in transit:

A company can boost cloud storage security with client-side encryption. With this strategy, encryption and decryption happen on the target user's device. There are no encryptions or decryptions on the provider's server as the vendor does not keep any keys. Even if a hacker breaches the provider's server, the thief will not obtain your decryption key.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires a user to provide two pieces of info during login. Besides a username and password, 2FA also requires the employee to give an additional credential, which can be:

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security that prevents an unauthorized actor from accessing cloud storage with a stolen password (a common target of phishing attacks). Always look for a provider that enables the use of 2FA.

Both you and your cloud provider should create regular backups:

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A cloud storage policy ensures your employees understand the company's approach to storing and managing data in the cloud. This document should evolve with your company's current needs and the cloud services the team uses. A policy should provide:

If you rely on hybrid cloud architecture, your policy should also cover practices for accessing, managing, integrating, and governing cloud usage within your unique hybrid environment.

Our article on cloud security policies shows how to create a company-wide guideline that dictates how the team operates in the cloud.

A ransomware attack enables a hacker to encrypt your data and demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. If the victim refuses to meet the demand, the criminal deletes the key and, as a result, renders target data useless.

This cyberattack type can be devastating to your finances and reputation, so you should always partner with a cloud provider that offers high-end ransomware protection.

Continuous change, access, and activity monitoring help identify and remove potential threats to cloud storage. Most storage services include robust cloud monitoring with alerts for:

In addition to the provider team's alerts, you can also deploy your own cloud monitoring tool. An extra tool ensures you take a proactive approach to cloud storage security and that your team can identify threats emerging from your end.

Educating employees about cloud storage security goes a long way toward protecting files in the cloud. Organize training sessions that familiarize employees with all major aspects of your cloud storage policy, including:

Cloud storage is already considerably safer than an average on-prem server, and projections suggest that this difference in security will only get bigger. Here are several notable trends you can expect from cloud storage security in the near future:

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You should now be able to tell apart secure cloud storage platforms from those that lack adequate protection. Choosing a vendor that offers most (or, ideally, all) of the aforementioned capabilities will enable you to reap the benefits of cloud computing without adding unnecessary risk to your day-to-day operations.

Originally posted here:
Cloud Storage Security: How Secure Is Cloud Storage?