How safe are your documents in the cloud?
How are you storing your documents? On your computer’s hard drive, external drive, or in the cloud? If you’re saving your documents in the cloud, ask yourself one thing: How secure are my files?
What is the cloud?
Cloud storage is an Internet-based service that allows you to store digital assets such as books, music, videos, photos, and documents. Cloud-based services allow you to access your files anytime and anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. Think of it as a hard drive with nearly unlimited file capacity – no wires and no hardware.
Cloud storage also included features such as file sharing, real-time collaboration, and version history. Some services offer security like ransomware recovery, virus scanning, and mass file deletion warnings. It gives you protection from loss due to disk drive failure or a lost device.
How secure is the cloud?
Because your files are being stored on servers that aren’t under your control, you wonder how safe your data in the cloud is. Is it vulnerable to cyberthieves?
Your data may be safer with a cloud service provider than what is stored on your computer’s hard drive. Keep in mind that hackers use malware and phishing to gain access to the information saved on your device. Those companies that provide cloud services have proper security measures, more than likely making it more robust and powerful than protecting your personal computer.
What makes it so safe?
Servers are in warehouses not accessible to most workers, and the files are on these servers are encrypted, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to access.
Some of the security measures that cloud providers use include:
- Consistent security updates
- Automated security monitoring systems
- Built-in firewalls
- Redundancy or data mirroring
- Third-party security testing
- Network protection
- Suspicious activity monitoring
How can you protect your cloud security?
You can take extra steps to enhance the security of your data. They include:
- Encrypt your data: Make it as difficult for hackers to access your information by scrambling it. Before uploading your documents into the cloud, you can password protect your files using software such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat. Make sure you choose a complex, hard-to-crack password. You can also use encryption software or apps to protect your files. Make sure you research your options before using. Some cloud-based services also have built-in encryption. Not all cloud providers offer encryption so research the security protocols your host uses.
- Perform data backups: Consider creating a backup of your data just in case the server goes offline, or you lose internet connection. Backing up your data to an external hard drive gives you an extra layer of protection.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Provide two pieces of information to log in. When you sign in with your username and password, you’ll also be sent a code via email or text message. You enter the code to access your account.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with Adirondack Bank. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. Adirondack Bank is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the information provided or the content of any third-party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. Adirondack Bank makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
