3 ways your business can improve its cloud safety

Public cloud infrastructure can give your business a flexible and powerful IT footprint without the capital expenditure and workforce investment needed for traditional systems. However, companies must be careful that this flexibility doesn’t come at the cost of security. 

“Cloud solutions can come under threat from data theft and hacking, a company’s inability to react to changing threat conditions, or legislative threats like the government’s ability to demand user data from technology providers,” said Lincoln Goldsmith, general manager Australia, Acronis. “These threats are real but that doesn’t mean organisations should avoid using cloud solutions. Instead, they should take action to reduce the risk.” 

RELATED TOPIC: Is the Cloud Right for Your Business? The Answer Isn't Always Yes

With this in mind, Acronis has identified three key ways businesses can reduce public cloud infrastructure risk:

1. Double the data 

Cloud services customers take on most of the security risks, while providers only must provide a solution. The cloud provider has responsibilities when it comes to potential losses from malfunction or unauthorised data deletion in the cloud. 

“Using two data centres will protect against these risks and serve as insurance in case one data centre fails,” Goldsmith said. “Backup systems will ensure at least one local copy of important information remains safe. Keeping a remote copy of the data can provide an even safer alternative that could be restored in case of emergency.” 

RELATED TOPIC: How limiting BYOD security risks will help your company thrive

2. Carefully choose one cloud provider 

Migrating a company’s IT infrastructure to the cloud can cause concerns, including third party access to data. 

“It is important to understand where the data will be stored and which jurisdiction your provider falls under, particularly if you are concerned authorities from other countries could get access to your data,” Goldsmith said. 

3. Weigh up the cost of security 

In order to comprehend the value of the cloud security investment, it is important to compare the cost of cloud infrastructure security and backup measures to the potential costs associated with the loss of data. 

RELATED TOPIC: Cyber Crime in Oz: What Telstra and CommBank are Doing to Improve Cyber Security

“The expenses for the backup, cloud backup and disaster recovery from the cloud are generally 10 times less than the costs that can arise from a loss of data,” said Goldsmith. “You should keep in mind that downtime and important data loss or leaks can, for some companies, result in a total business collapse.” 

So in short, whether provided in the cloud or locally, information security should be viewed as a valuable investment from the point of view of any company. 

About Acronis:
Acronis sets the standard for New Generation Data Protection with backup, disaster recovery, and secure file sync and share solutions supporting hybrid cloud environments. Powered by the AnyData Engine and set apart by its image technology, Acronis delivers easy, complete and safe file access and sharing as well as backup and recovery of all files and entire systems across any environment—virtual, physical, cloud and mobile. Founded in 2003, Acronis protects the data of over 5 million consumers and 500,000 businesses in over 145 countries. 

Let's connect!  

Check out the latest edition of Business Review Australia!