In the digital age, data security is paramount to every business. On-premise servers were the business technology model in the past, but there are more choices now. For the last several years, a debate has flowed through businesses. How will cloud computing affect them? Should they adopt a public cloud approach, opt for private cloud, or stick with their on-premise servers? The use of cloud computing is steadily rising. In fact, a recent study has shown that cloud services are set to reach over $130 billion by 2017. Before making any decisions, it’s important to think about how this shift towards cloud computing will affect cybersecurity for your business.
On-premise servers vs. the cloud
Due to factors such as hackers, ransomware, and data breaches, many people feel hesitant about how secure cloud computing really is. There’s an overwhelming trend for businesses to take their information systems to the cloud, but in a recent study of IT decision makers, 49% admitted they are ‘very or extremely anxious’ about the security implications of cloud services.
So, are these fears warranted? Is data in the cloud really more difficult to protect than in a traditional on-premise infrastructure? The answer is no. One of the main concerns about the cloud is that people believe that information stored in the cloud is less secure since it is out of their control. This isn’t true. Employees with malicious intentions will find it more challenging to locate and access data in the cloud. They are physically removed from where the data is stored and don't have the personal relationship with the people who do have access to the data. Another point to think about is that on-site servers don’t lend themselves to easy disaster recovery and backup. What happens when your on-premise server crashes? Or a pipe bursts on the floor above and water drips down onto your server racks? What does that cost you, not only in terms of money, but in productivity? With the cloud, you don’t have you worry about this. Your IT is ready when you are and secure.
Other benefits of cloud computing include cost flexibility, mobility, and increased productivity. You invest in only what you use, and the ability to access your data anytime, from anywhere, on any device increases productivity. In addition, it controls the expense of maintaining internal or external information systems personnel.
One way to lower the risks associated with cloud computing is to conduct employee training on best practices and information security. It is also important to pick a reliable cloud provider. The cloud provider should be able to answer any questions that you have, such as compliance issues, its security policies and procedures, and where the data centers are located. They should also have a quality on-boarding training program complete with the people, processes, systems, and methods to bring you seamlessly into the cloud.
Public cloud vs. private cloud
Now that we have established that the cloud is a secure option for your business, we can take a deeper dive into two different types of cloud computing: public and private. Anyone can use a public cloud, as long as they pay for what they use. The advantages of using a public cloud are that they are less expensive and more flexible. Some common examples of public clouds are Office 365 and Dropbox. A private cloud delivers similar advantages to a public cloud, but it is dedicated to a single organization, and therefore more secure. It provides the highest levels of management visibility, control, security, privacy, and physical data proximity. The main advantage of using a private cloud from a cybersecurity perspective is that it offers the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your key business and client data resides at all times, and explicitly knowing who manages those data centers and being familiar with the people and processes.
The private cloud gives businesses the peace of mind that their data is safe, secure, and confidential while still providing the accessibility and flexibility they need.
If you are interested in moving your business to the cloud, check out this explainer video to learn more about the private cloud desktop, WebTop.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT6t2a3YTTE
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