The cloud brings several business transforming benefits. Quadrupled productivity, agility in development and rapid scalability are some such mentionable benefits. Businesses are rapidly migrating to the Cloud to gain a competitive advantage in terms of customer service and also pricing of goods and services.
But, there is a problem. Cloud systems, like on-premise systems are also prone to security hijacks. In fact, the Cloud Security 2016 Spotlight Report of CloudPassage founds that “91% of organizations are very or moderately concerned about public cloud security.”
The threat gets bigger and more severe since almost every single communication and collaboration tool used by enterprises are cloud-based. Even social media channels are relying on cloud servers to give users a dynamic experience.
Top enterprise, social and collaboration tools that rely on cloud:
There is a massive amount of personal and organizational data that flows through these networks that makes them a juicy target for hackers. All they need to do is to take down one cloud server and they have hundreds of associated virtual systems under their control.
To achieve their ulterior motives, hackers deploy several types of attack methods:
- Document Malware – Injecting malicious codes through various files types
- Ransomware – Hijacking systems and demanding a ransom to restore data
- Exploit Kits – Programs that spot weaknesses in software that can be exploited
- Phishing Attacks – gathering or stealing sensitive information by pretending as a trustworthy entity
- Password Sniffing – Retrieving user password data by snooping traffic sent across an unencrypted connection
- Social Engineering – Manipulating users into submitting personal information that will help crack their passwords
Apart from these commonly deployed hacking methods, every single day new methods are also surfacing. Hackers have even become adept at coding and launching fake and impostor apps of WhatsApp and other popular apps that trick users into submitting their sensitive information, often even making them make online payment transactions.
With cloud becoming an integral component of the Internet, hackers are also finding loopholes and exploiting them to get quick access to a world of user information.
Should you be worried? Should you give the growing benefits of cloud computing a miss? You don’t have to. The cloud, although prone to hacking like legacy systems can also be secured in several ways.
The security measures require participation from both server-side and client-side systems. Cloud security cannot be implemented by securing one end and ignoring the other end.
Here are some ways you can tie up loose ends at both sides and keep your data on the cloud secure as possible.
#1 Encrypt, Encrypt, Encrypt
Encryption is the Internet’s way of locking data using a digital lock and key. It uses bit-sized files to scramble data before it is exchanged between two systems; that is a client and a server. If you are using a third -party cloud based service to backup your data or using it to send/receive data over the Internet, recommendation is a fail proof way to ensure data security.
On the other hand, if you are a service provider, an online retailer, a eCommerce business or the likes that runs its own cloud, it is advised to install a SSL certificate. A SSL certificate encrypts the data using private and public keys ensuring unauthorized personnel or even hackers are allowed to get their hands on it. You can obtain SSL Certificate from reseller like Cheap SSL Shop at huge discount of same trusted CA`s (Certificate Authority).
#2 Enable Two-factor Authentication (2FA) For Logins
Two-factor authentication requires the user to use two methods to login to a website or an account. Of the two methods, one of it would be a reset password known only to the user. The second method could be a one-time-password in the form of an SMS, email or token that is communicated to the user at the time of login.
Two-factor authentication asks for password, plus another security PIN communicated in real-time
2FA ensures that only the user is able to access the account. Even if the password is compromised or known to someone else, it is not possible to access the account.
#3 Monitor Uploads To Your Cloud
We are all habitual creatures who have synced every device to the cloud. We want data in our computer to be available on phone, on the tablet and everywhere imaginable. Although this gives tremendous productivity, this could possibly lead to a security disaster if you are not vigilant enough.
Files that find their way to your cloud from several devices need to be monitored. There is a high chance of files infected with ransomware getting uploaded to the cloud if you have set up automatic sync. Hence, the need to monitor and approve every single file that gets uploaded. This is typically important for enterprises that upload real-time data from user devices on a regular basis.
#4 Don’t Let Social Engineering Fool You
- Your pet’s name?
- When is your birthday?
- What car do you drive?
- What’s your surname?
These questions sound like everyday questions that even strangers would ask you. While there is absolutely no harm is sharing them with a friendly neighbor you meet on the street, beware when someone on the Internet asks of these.
The answers you give to these questions could be reverse engineered to arrive at your passwords. And, naive users have the terrible habit of setting passwords like pet’s name + year of birth, name + car number and so on. The trick to safe on the cloud (and also on the web) is to create a password that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess.
Final Thoughts
We have come past an era of legacy systems. Cloud systems have taken over everywhere. It is hard to resist the diverse benefits and business values that cloud systems bring to businesses.
Yet, nobody knows everything about the cloud. That makes cloud security a sticky business. It is upon you to safeguard your data that goes into cloud. Encrypt it. Set up two-factor authentication. Monitor your cloud uploads. And be aware of social engineering to stay safe on the cloud.
