Last updated: July 3, 2022
Protecting and securing a company's data (financials, trade secrets, methodologies, etc.) is essential.
2020 has already been a busy year for hackers, with attacks on businesses, governments, hospitals and schools across the world on their list.
What steps can you take to protect and secure your data and the data of those who trust you? In this post, I give you 5 tips to better secure your business-critical data in the cloud.
Why secure a company's data in the cloud?
The possibility for a cybercriminal de hack your network andaccess sensitive company data is very real. And very serious.
Software deployments Cloud ERP As more and more common, it will be important for businesses to effectively secure critical data in the future.
Although moving from on-premises to cloud-based infrastructure shifts some of the responsibility from the organization's IT department to the cloud service provider (CSP), security remains an important point that both parties should take responsibility for. the responsibility.
How to secure your business data in a cloud?
Taking a preventative approach is always the best way to approach network and application security. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, these tips should give you a solid foundation for securing a company's sensitive data in the cloud.
Choose your cloud provider carefully
The first piece of advice that should not be overlooked is to choose the right cloud provider. Not all offers are created equal.
Opt for a cloud dedicated to companies, and not for a general public offer. Avoid free solutions, businesses that are too small, and, of course, those that have been the target of cyber attacks in the past. Choose a cloud provider who is familiar with your industry and its regulatory obligations.
Ask employees to use strong passwords
Weak passwords can be like a free pass to your cloud. Creating strong and reliable passwords can protect your data from several hacking techniques such as brute force attack and dictionary attack. These are common tactics used by cybercriminals day in and day out.
Here are some tips you can follow to create a strong password.
- Avoid using sequential numbers or letters.
- Use long passwords.
- Make sure the password is a mix of letters (upper and lower case), numbers and special characters (@ = &%! =?).
- Avoid using sequential keyboard paths like QUERY, ASDFG, etc.
Additionally, consider introducing a process oftwo-factor authentication which will add an extra layer of security.
Use file-level encryption
Even if your cloud provider uses encryption, double down on your side with full file-level encryption.
Why?
Because if one day a hacker finds your password or an employee's password, they will be able to directly access your data. File names and their contents appear clearly.
The solution then consists in encrypting the data before sending it to these remote servers. Encryption is, so far, the best way to protect your data.
Back up your data consistently
Make copies of the data at regular intervals and keep them in a cloud storage secondary or an external storage device. This can help protect your business from significant losses in the event of a breach.
A violation that could cause data to be erased or a lock that takes time to clear. Consistent data backups keep you safe. With a copy of your data, you can stay up and running even without access to real-time data in cloud storage.
Train your employees
It is essential to recognize that employees present a substantial security risk, so make sure they follow a data security training. Humans, by nature, have a greater predisposition to error than machines.
In addition to requiring employees to participate in training sessions, you should require employees to sign confidentiality agreements. Similar to general ERP training, security training should be ongoing and supported by strong executive buy-in.