Cloud computing has been hailed as the future of how we will store and access our data, applications and more, but it is not without its risks. The fact is, cloud hosting is still in its relative infancy and many of the biggest risks of using the cloud have still yet to be fully uncovered and tackled. There are currently known risks, such as data security, that can be actively managed to make sure that any risks of cloud computing are mitigated. Here, we’ll take a look at a few of these risks and what the most effective ways to mange them are.
1. Data Security
As previously mentioned, data security is one of the cloud’s risks. Of course, data security is a risk with virtually any medium where data needs to be transferred. That’s the nature of life. Whether it’s on the internet or through a postal service or bank, data is always subject to threats. However, that threat is intensified considerably when we consider that the cloud requires frequent back and forth reading and writing of data. Whereas emailing a file only exposes it to security risks once, storing it on the cloud means that it may be susceptible to threats dozens of times a day.
To combat this, the best measure is to review the security policies of the cloud provider you are using and make sure that they are using the latest protocols. For maximum security, any domains visited to access the cloud should almost always begin with the “https:” prefix. Ensuring that your data is also encrypted and authenticated during every use will also help to minimize security risks.
2. User Authority Control
Control over user authority is another risk of cloud computing, much in the same vein as data security. It’s a relevant risk from both the business and personal levels. In a business setting, allowing access to one broad cloud setup might mean allowing many users to access documents or files they don’t have any business accessing. Similarly, in the personal space, sharing cloud access can mean allowing people access to files you’d rather they not see.
If you’re using the cloud for business purposes, the best way to minimize this risk is to find a cloud hosting provider who will allow tiered access to the files and applications you have on the cloud. Otherwise, two separate cloud identities might be needed. From a personal perspective, a realistic solution is to use the same policy as you would on your personal computer. Don’t let someone access your cloud space if you wouldn’t let them access your personal computer.
3. Technical Issues
One final risk that often goes overlooked is the physical risk associated with cloud computing. With your locally stored files, you probably keep some sort of backup for the files that are most important to you. While the cloud may seem like magic, it’s still essentially just storing your files on a remote server, and that means they’re subject to some of the same risks as your personal hard drive. The same logic for securing local data applies to the cloud. Just because your cloud hosting company has never had a hard drive failure or been subject to a natural disaster doesn’t mean that they won’t be. So, if possible, keep local backups of your most important files. If for some reason this isn’t an option, then make sure to consult with your cloud hosting provider and find out what they do to minimize physical risks to your data.
This is just the beginning for minimizing cloud computing risks. There are others, but here we’ve highlighted some of the most prominent ones. As with any form of computing, common sense is a must when using the cloud. As long as you apply common sense, you’ll have no problems reaping the benefits of cloud computing.
