With massive breaches within large companies like T-Mobile and CVS, we’re no strangers to information theft. But our important data goes beyond what we share with companies and healthcare services. The all-encompassing cloud is the 21st-century hard drive, and it could potentially be storing social security numbers or other sensitive data.
So when it comes to protecting your cloud storage, it’s up to you to take matters into your hands. Here are a few tips on how to keep the data on your cloud as secure as possible.
Make sure your cloud service is encrypted.
While many cloud storage services offer basic encryption, there are many programs that encrypt the data on your computer before going to the cloud—which keeps potential threats unaware of what you have stored. There are even programs that only do pre-encryption, allowing you to continue use of cloud services like Dropbox.
Take your password seriously.
Most common identity theft happens due to weak passwords that you use interchangeably for every account. When it comes to your cloud, using a complex password (and changing it regularly) is key. You might even want to consider a password manager. These programs can provide two-factor authentication, strength reports, and secure sharing.
Keep the sensitive data off the cloud.
If you have sensitive information that needs to be stored, cloud computing may not be the best option for you. The cloud is more accessible than your hard drive; therefore, consider external hard drives and servers for your more sensitive data, or maybe even in on-premise private cloud.
Back it up.
The cloud may be your only storage option. And if so, make sure you back up your data—as the cloud shouldn’t be the only home for your mission-critical files. Store your data on hard drives, servers or any place you feel is a secure secondary storage option.
