With so many more businesses using cloud computing, no wonder safety has become a major trending issue and a hot discussion topic. Your data is being saved somewhere else by someone else; its safety must be one of your main concerns. Below are five tips that can save you a great deal of stress with regard to your business Cloud safety.
- Have a Responsible Person
There should be one responsible person for your business Cloud computing and company or customer data that is stored in the cloud. Data should be audited and checked regularly. Document what is stored in the cloud and be aware of the risks associated with its loss. This person must also be aware of the regulations and guidelines for storing customer and company data online. Lastly, this key person should also be the main point of contact for any managed IT services that the business has.
- Choose your Host with Care
They must be trusted providers in the field, known by your business stakeholders and partners. There are a plethora of choices, and rather than choosing based on a whim, have a professional advise you in this process. The host must be compatible with your business needs and supply chain stakeholders. Go with a firm that is flexible and possibly provides a full IT managed service. A great example of a fully managed IT service is USWired, #1 in the San Jose and greater Bay area.
- Secure End-User Devices
With more and more people working from home, there will be a proliferation of devices accessing your shared drives, shared software, and data on the network. Firstly, make sure that only known devices supplied and checked by your company have access to the network. Secondly, these devices must have end-user security installed to protect the network from external threats. Lastly, all devices, smartphones, tablets, and laptops, must be taken into account. Mobile phones are the most porous surface of the company’s IT security, and to protect your cloud space, make sure that you pay attention and train staff on the safety requirements related to remote access. All company hardware must be protected to in turn safeguard your data in the cloud.
- Passwords
It seems a simple thing, and most people make them as basic as they can to avoid forgetting them or use the same password for several applications and log ins. This is incredibly unsafe in an age where data fraud and theft are so rife. Insist on secure or long passwords and check with your provider to see if a password manager service is included in your contract, as this will prove safer than storing these on your web browser.
- Back-Up Regularly
Make use of the storage and security in the cloud by ensuring that your company files are backed up on a regular basis both automatically throughout the day and then checked and audited regularly. Insist on having cloud storage and a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device or external hard drive on-site.
The cloud is an endless opportunity for business growth, increasing reach, and improving communication; make sure your business is safe out there.
