Nowadays, most business organizations depend on cloud computing technology for the major issues that arise while dealing with large amounts of data. It has many advantages over the traditional management of online data through a single server.
Replacing the Local Server
Cloud computing refers to a way by which an organization processes its data resources through remote servers on the internet rather than depending on a local server. A panacea for the major issues faced by a business organization, this has brought alternatives for the traditional ways of storage, management and access of the data. Instead of the local server, here, Cloud Service Provider (CSP) facilitates the availability of resources.
Business organizations, especially the large ones, require to process huge amounts of data, several interconnected devices and internal and external applications. Cloud computing offers a platform for managing these data in a convenient way.
Types of Cloud Computing
There are mainly three types of cloud computing. They are private, public and hybrid clouds.
- Public cloud: In public cloud, the service providers rely on the internet and the resources are available to the public.
- Private cloud: It is owned by a single company and its services are available only to the employees and not the external customers.
- Hybrid cloud: The company here depends on both the private and public cloud according to the needs.
Advantages of Cloud Computing
- Reliability: Cloud computing is more reliable when compared to the in-house IT infrastructure. Most of the providers ensure 24 hours availability.
- Less expensive: Cloud computing is comparatively less expensive as it does not need upgrades and hardware setting up cost. Furthermore, the users are supposed to pay only for the services they use.
- Storage capacity: We can store unlimited data in the cloud unlike a local server.
- Access to information: The users can access information from anywhere if he/she has an internet connection.
Understanding the Threats
Although cloud computing is a better way of managing bulk data, there are certain things that we must be aware of. We should know about the security concerns thoroughly before opting for cloud computing technology. For instance, in cloud computing, we transfer the valuable data to the virtual machines which involves some risks.
- Data loss: Data loss can happen in many ways. Several reasons can contribute to the loss of data that is stored without any backup in a system. Even human errors can lead to data loss.
- Data breach: Data breach refers to the exposure of sensitive information concerning an organization to unauthorized sources. This can be possible with the cyber criminals accessing the private data of an organization through the master computer.
- Hacking: Expert hackers can access the personal data of the users in the cloud. They can even interfere with the customer interactions.
- Migrating services: Cloud computing technology does not support migrating services from one platform to another.
- Denial of service attacks: It is a temporary interruption in the services of the users connected to the internet. It is a frequent issue that arises in computing.
- Shared technology: Cloud computing relies on a shared technology of resources. An outsider who gets control over any of the systems in the environment can manipulate the shared data.
- Insecure APIs: Application Programming Interfaces (API) plays an important role in providing online services to the users. The outsiders can utilize these services by using API and manipulate a user’s personal data.
- Malicious employees: Some employees may try to misuse the services. Usually alert is set with the help of experts in order to find out the unusual activities, if any.
Mitigating the Threats
We have seen some of the major threats in cloud computing technology. However, it can be reduced by adopting some measures. If used effectively, cloud computing can increase the efficacy of a business organization.
- Consult an expert before switching to cloud computing technology. It will help to take preventive measures against the security issues. The security concern must be checked regularly for enhanced protection.
- Update the systems regularly to reduce risks.
- Ensure that the data is encrypted before being uploaded and it should only be decrypted with the correct encryption key.
- Select the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) only after reviewing its agreement and security standards.
- The account information should not be shared among all the users.
- Single Sign-on (SSO) is a method by which account credentials can be saved from being exposed to others. There must be fewer accounts and only one set of credentials.
- Try to use internal applications as they are comparatively more trustworthy.
If you would like to know more about cloud computing and how to mitigate the risks involved in it, please send an e-mail to services@suyati.com
