Cloud Computing: The Top Benefits, Risks, and Ways for Improving the Information Security

No doubts, the cloud is a terrific platform for companies looking to have securer IT solutions at the most affordable prices. The cloud reduces costs, improves operational resilience, enhances security, and the list goes on. However, like any other solution in the world, cloud solutions have certain protocols to be followed. One needs to evaluate its benefits and risks well before jumping onto its bandwagon. To make the task easier for you, we have piled up the top cloud computing benefits, risks, and ways for improving information security in this article. So, check them out one by one.

The Top 6 Cloud Computing Benefits

Benefit#1: Reduced Costs

Cloud helps you reduce cost in three main ways that are:

You don’t need to invest huge on hardware

You save money and time through easy access to your data

The pay-as-you-go system helps you pay only for the services you use, unlike your on-premises infrastructure

Benefit#2: Ultimate Security

Did you know, most data thefts occur within the four walls of your office that you thought were the safest? However, in the cloud, your data is by default encrypted that makes it difficult for hackers or non-authorized users to access it. Most cloud service providers (CSPs) also provide additional security measures that allow you to set different security settings for different users. With the all-encompassing controls, policies, and technologies the CSPs provide you with a level of security for your IT infrastructure that’s not easy to achieve independently.

Benefit#3: Gaining Better Insights

Indeed, data is money in this digital era. Through the cloud analytics integrated into the storage solutions provided by many CSPs, you can have a general view of your data. By executing a tracking mechanism and building tailored reports, you can easily analyze the data organization-wide. The insights that you gain from it, can help you build the right strategy for meeting organizational goals and increase efficiencies.

Benefit#4: Disaster Recovery

Even a minor downtime can have adverse effects on not only your productivity and revenue but also your reputation. While staving off a disaster is not in your hands most of the time, you can always work upon faster recovery and minimize the potential harm it can cause to your organization. With the cloud, you can recover all your data quickly in almost any type of emergency scenario.

Benefits#5: Loss Prevention

Usually, CSPs keep 3 or more replica of your data server so just in case you have lost your data from one, it can be retrieved from the other. However, in the case of on-premises infrastructure, you may permanently lose all your data if your local hardware undergoes a problem. So, by being on the cloud, you can mitigate the risks of losing your data.

Benefit#6: Lesser Carbon Footprint

By moving to the cloud you have a more sustainable approach towards getting your IT solutions. It helps you play your part in making mother Earth cleaner and greener. Since cloud eliminates the need for installing hardware as such, it reduces your carbon footprints and is more environmentally friendly.

The Top 3 Cloud Computing Risks

Risk#1: Gateways and APIs

Enterprises often make use of storage Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and gateways for shifting their data from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. These APIs and gateways, through which the data on the cloud is accessed and managed by your employees, act as an intercessor between you and your CSP. However, the use of an insecure gateway or API can risk your data. It can cause damage to your data. So, you need to be meticulous while picking the API or storage gateway. Make sure, you choose the ones with the most reliable security features.

Risk#2: The Cloud Complexities

In the cloud, there are so many different services that you need to manage. These services that include encryption, management, etc. are relatively more intricate than services of the on-premises infrastructure. All these factors make the cloud complex to handle that, in turn, may increase security gap possibilities. So, you must prepare your employees for the cloud management, operation, and integration for which you need to upskill them in the cloud. This may incur big costs, as it is not a one-time process. You consistently have to work on your cloud staff improvement. However, a simple solution to get rid of both the issues is hiring a Managed Services Provider (MSP) or getting a cloud consultant on board. In exchange for a monthly fee, they provide you with managed cloud services that include migration, management, and maintenance of the cloud.

Risk#3: Lack of Technical Support

While, on the one hand, the cloud is complex to handle, on the other not all CSPs provide free technical support. So, someone who lacks technical expertise may find managing the cloud quite difficult without proper technical support. Moreover, you can’t afford to overlook an issue in your mission-critical system, and that you need technical assistance ASAP. However, if you already have hired an MSP you can be relieved as most MSPs provide 24*7 cloud support services.

The Top 3 Ways You Can Improve Your Cloud Security

Way#1: Deploying Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Stealing of credentials is the most common way that gives hackers access to your online data & applications, and that the time-honored username & password security measure is not enough to protect your online accounts from them. However, deploying multi-factor authentication (MFA) will help you ensure only authorized users login to the cloud applications and access the sensitive data meant for them.

Way#2: Improving Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Not all your employees need access to the same applications, files, or information. Setting authorization level in a way that one accesses only the files or applications they need to, will help you have an added layer of security to your data. It will help you protect your data from those hackers who have stolen the credentials of your employee.

Way#3: Monitoring the Activities of the End Users

Monitoring and analyzing the activities of the end-users in real-time will help you figure out any deviation from the regular usage patterns. That, in turn, will help you catch on the breach in your system if any, and take effective measures to stop the hackers and fix security issues so that they don’t become mayhem.

Wrap Up

Cloud computing, is of course, far more cost-effective and securer than your on-premises infrastructure, provided you follow the right guidelines. You can, for sure, make the most out of your cloud solution if followed the best practices for choosing, deploying, and managing the distinguished cloud services. Relying on experienced cloud professionals for managing the cloud, however, will help you create a comprehensive cloud blueprint to guide you throughout your cloud journey. Hopefully, the article helps you in your cloud research mission.