As the cloud continues to grow and become a more integral part of the way we do business, people continue to have questions about cloud security. Recent debates about data privacy have brought this to the forefront of the news.
While there is plenty of misinformation present in these conversations, it’s important to know that as the cloud grows, security concerns can still affect the way people choose to adopt it. With that in mind, here are the top seven things you need to know about cloud security.
1. Cloud security is improving.
Initiatives focused on the cloud and its security made it to the top of the list of IT initiatives according to the 2015 Network World State of the Network Report. The factors were so important that 36% of IT executives stated that security was their #1 concern. With so many experts focusing on security, it is bound to improve and continue to improve in the future.
2. Not all organizations have security policies.
Despite the fact that cloud security is important, not all organizations have security policies in place. This means that businesses who are considering a move to the cloud must do their research before taking the plunge. Some services may sacrifice security for price, so you must be willing to invest in security.
3. Outside hackers are not the largest threat.
While many people associate outside hackers with cloud security threats, the truest risks often come from the inside. According to the 2015 Data Breach Industry Forecast, 60% of security incidents that occurred within the last year originated with internal employees. This includes programs and worms that are installed by your employees who may not know what they’re doing. This statistic underlines the importance of properly training and educating employees on cloud-based security topics in order to avoid accidental security mishaps.
4. Cloud storage poses the highest risks.
When people think of the cloud, they often think about using the cloud for storage and backup. Storage is currently classified as the riskiest cloud application. Fortunately, working with a reputable cloud host can help mitigate these risks.
5. It can be difficult to control cloud adoption.
According to a survey conducted by The Register, 50% of businesses using the cloud state that one of the most difficult aspects of cloud service is adequately assessing security before users are given the chance to adopt the platform.
6. The cloud security debate surpasses public and private.
While many people enjoy debating about the difference between public and private cloud security, security isn’t dependent upon whether a cloud is publically or privately hosted. While private cloud hosts may offer a higher level of control over data and security, public clouds aren’t inherently less secure. The true basis for security comes down to a company’s overall cloud strategy.
7. Cloud security markets are expanding.
According to the Global Security Services Market 2015-2019 report, the market for cloud security products is exploding. In fact, industry experts predict that the market for cloud security will reach $9 billion by 2019. Because of this, cloud security is a hotter topic than ever before and more and more companies are picking up the debate and seeking to educate themselves in matters of cloud security.
Conclusion
While cloud computing continues to become more popular, the debate about cloud security will continue to rage on. Fortunately, many of the most common concerns are the result of misinformation. When companies focus on maintaining solid cloud security and education, they can increase the safety of the cloud and the data they store within it. And when cloud security is taken seriously by companies and individuals alike, everyone wins.
To learn more about cloud security or how you can take steps to improve your knowledge for your company’s safety and efficiency, contact Allied Telecom today.
