Storing data in the cloud eliminates the need to purchase, manage, and maintain your internal storage infrastructure. Despite this convenience, cloud storage security is generally better than any local protection. But the lack of control over cloud based data is a common problem for businesses.
In this article we are giving an overview of cloud storage security and the methods, cloud providers use to protect their data.

Secure Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is a cloud computing service that allows businesses to store data in the cloud instead of storing it onsite. This model provides a convenient way to store files on a third-party server so that employees can access the data from any device when they need it.

Lets see some examples:

• Primary file storage (most common in hybrid and multi-cloud setups).
• Mail storage. Disaster recovery (DRaaS) as a service for responding to unexpected events.
• File archive.
• A DevOps team testing and development environment that provides storage resources.

Since the data stored in the cloud is not on the on-premises server, companies using public clouds need to rely partially on their providers to ensure the security of their data. Fortunately, top vendor data centers use a variety of techniques to ensure data security.

Security Of Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is more secure than on-premises infrastructure when working with the right provider. All the cloud providers does not provides same level of security for storage purpose.
Good cloud storage provider gives better service but with high price. Due to which companies can not easily buy such plan with on-premises setups. These skills are:

• Top-level repetition: Provider-level data centers have top-level equipment and software redundancy for disaster recovery scenarios.
• Robust physical security: High-end data centers keep their servers in a facility that is much more secure than a server room in an average office. Typical measures include 24-hour system surveillance, fingerprint locks, and armed guards.
• Multi stages features: Cloud supplier rely on high-class hardware and software firewalls to sort traffic in and out of cloud storage. The use of intrusion detection systems (IDS) is also standard.
• High performance security testing: Cloud providers perform regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to ensure that their storage security levels are up-to-date with the latest threats.

Cloud storage security can be more robust than what you use to protect your local devices. But the cloud adds to the complexity of your data storage.

Challenges Of Cloud Storage Security

The decision to move the data to the cloud is beneficial, but it does mean that the files are exposed to new risks. The following are the most common cloud storage security risks and concerns.

Risk At Operational Level

Almost all cloud security errors are due to operational errors on the customer side. The most common mistakes are:

• Sharing a file with the wrong user.
• Accidental deletion of valuable data.
• Loss of encryption key due to poor key management. It relies on weak and easy-to-break passwords.
• Employees using unapproved, unsecured devices.

Data Availability Concerns

Operational risk can also occur on the service provider side. The common problems are:

• Service interruption due to server failure or employee error.
• Local disasters (power outages, fires, earthquakes, etc.) that result in hardware failures and downtime.
• Successful cyberattacks that attack the provider directly or through another cloud user.

If anything affects the storage provider, the event directly affects access to the data.

More Data Exposure

Most of the data security is to make the data inaccessible to anyone outside the team. Relying on a partner to store files increases the surface area that a malicious attacker can access the data. Even if everyone on the
team takes appropriate precautions to prevent data loss, storage providers accidentally leak files, causing data loss and paving the way for costly attacks.

Regulatory and Compliance Obligations

Compliance requirements depend on how and where your enterprise stores your data, so cloud storage must meet all relevant requirements. These requirements determine what your provider should be.
Saves and processes data. Controls access to files. Segment memory. Delete the data. Keep your data safe. Cloud services need to not only meet current requirements, but also be flexible enough to allow enterprises to adapt to new requirements and regulations.

Best Use of Cloud Storage Security

Cloud storage security is a common responsibility of service providers and consumers. If only one side has strong data protection, the lack of security on the other side leads to risks and attacks. Vendors and consumers need to address cloud storage security as follows:

• Customers need to complement their native frameworks with additional means to enhance security and improve access to cloud data.

Data Encryption

Cloud providers need to encrypt their cloud data. When a malicious attacker or program accesses a file, unauthorized users can only find the encrypted data that way. The only way to decrypt the data is to use the decryption key. The
provider needs to encrypt data both in transit and in transit.
In app encryption covers kept cloud data that is not now in use. Encryption in transit protects the data while the file is being moved between two cloud points or network points (TLS / SSL 128-bit encryption is the most common choice).

Enterprises can use client-side encryption to enhance the security of their cloud storage. In this strategy, encryption and decryption is done on the target user’s device. The provider does not store the key, so there is no encryption or decryption on the provider’s server. If a hacker breaks into your provider’s server, the thief will not receive your decryption key.

Ransomware Protection

Ransomware attacks allow hackers to encrypt data and claim a ransom in exchange for a decryption key. If the victim refuses to respond to the request, the criminal deletes the key and makes the target data unavailable.
This type of cyberattack can have a devastating impact on your finances and reputation. Therefore, you should always work with a cloud provider that offers high-end ransomware protection.

Provide Knowledge To Employees

Training your employees about cloud storage security can greatly help protect your files in the cloud. Organize your training courses to help your staff understand all the important aspects of your cloud storage policy. This includes the following:

• Data to keep in the cloud and files to keep locally.
• Secure data exchange practices.
• Approved cloud storage tools and platforms.
• The risk of sharing and storing data in the cloud.
• Related configuration standards.
• Internal and external access rules.

Future of Secure Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is already significantly more secure than the average on-premises server, and predictably, this security gap is getting bigger and bigger. Here are some notable trends you can expect from cloud storage security in the near future.

• AI Tools: Vendors are gradually turning to AI to help protect cloud data. AI-supported tools can free employees and monitor the first stages of security analysis.
• The rise of multi-cloud storage: As vendors seek ways to mitigate ransomware threats and improve cloud disaster recovery, storing a second copy of their data in an alternative cloud continues to grow in popularity.
• Improved performance: In addition to improved security, cloud storage solutions are more scalable and flexible to be able to compete with on-premises setups.

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