5 Steps for Keeping Your Company’s Cloud Secure

Having your business on the cloud makes having strong security a top priority. Concerns about security are one of the big drivers behind the rise of hybrid clouds, as IT managers seek to navigate a happy medium between the cost savings represented by the cloud and the potential risk it brings. Moving to the cloud does introduce some new security concerns, but like any calculated business risk, these can be managed with a sound plan. Here are five steps you can take to help you keep your company’s cloud secure.

Get Professional Assistance

One of the most important steps you can take to secure your company’s cloud is getting help from a security expert. Securing every aspect of your cloud can be a complex process and is best done with input from experienced professionals. Whether its for help with threat intelligence analysis, securing public clouds or overall operational security, seeking assistance from a cloud security specialist will help you save time and avoid hassles.

Don’t Store Unneeded Data

If you don’t need data, don’t store it, says the PCI Security Standards Council. Many businesses collect information they don’t really need to maintain in their records, such as employee Social Security Card numbers and customer credit card information. By not collecting and storing unneeded information in the first place, you automatically eliminate a major security vulnerability. Avoid storing cardholder data and card verification codes, don’t print out data that doesn’t need to be printed and don’t leave servers with sensitive information physically unprotected or in the presence of unauthorized personnel. Use payment-enabled software or a third-party online payment processor to eliminate the need to collect credit card information.

Use Encryption and Strong Passwords

Strong passwords with long character strings and a mixture of small and capital letters, numbers and symbols should be a basic security step for securing all areas of a network, including easily overlooked vulnerabilities such as router connections.

Likewise, encrypting stored and transmitted data should be a standard practice. Make sure you secure your data at all points along your network, from the time your customers transmit it over your network all the way through exchanges with other communication channels such as email. Depending on how you collect and use data, you might choose from a variety of encryption options, including data-at-rest encryption, TLS/SSL encryption or an iterative cryptographic hash. Be sure your encryption is properly configured. Use good key management tools and procedures to optimize your encryption handling.

Keep Your Security Up to Date

Outdated operating systems and software apps leave your system more vulnerable to security holes hackers can exploit. Keep your security up to date by using the latest versions of operating systems and apps and a good antivirus program. Make sure all parts of your network as well as all devices connected to your network are secure. A single compromised device can introduce a virus into your entire system. If your employees use BYOD devices, make sure they follow your company security policy.

Schedule Automated Cloud Backups

One of the most crippling consequences of a security breach can be the loss of invaluable company and customer data. Mitigate this risk by scheduling automated cloud backups using an enterprise-grade cloud backup service. You can further harden your backup procedures by supplementing your cloud backup with physical backup procedures such as using discs, tapes or external drives. A best practice is to make three backup copies using two different media with one copy stored in a separate physical location in the event of an on-site disaster.