Secure your Cloud Storage with Managed Services

Just about every business has moved some part of their data to a cloud storage system. In this article, you will learn more about how to secure your Cloud storage with the help of a Managed IT Services team. 

Cloud storage has a number of benefits but not everyone really understands what it is. Not everything is as simple as you might think, which is why working with a managed service provider can be extremely helpful!

Cloud Storage Basics

For those unfamiliar, Cloud Storage is an offsite storage for your data. This is called the Cloud because the data seems to vanish into the ether. However, what is actually happening is that your Cloud storage provider, like Microsoft or Google, holds incredibly large data centers with powerful storage systems that hold your data.

This has become a great solution for almost everyone because of the cheap cost of data storage, and the ability to free up space on your system. More storage availability means more processing speed and more space to work with.

Your Data is not Totally Secure

There is a common misconception that Cloud storage is perfectly safe. The reasoning typically goes along the lines that they cannot get your data through your network because it’s actually being stored offsite.

However, this is not true. When you think about it, your data is actually very easily accessible while in the cloud.

The Cloud is, by design, available anywhere. That means that an account owned by someone in New York could just as easily be accessed in Australia if they had the login information.

So just because someone may not be able to break into your home network and steal the data directly, it is only as safe as the password that you have protecting it.

This is one of the prime examples of why good password management is so important. It only takes one leak for someone to have access to everything.

Common phishing practices are used precisely for this purpose. They can send out a fake link that makes you think you are logging in to a secure page when you are actually giving your information away. 

Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Cloud Computing

Doesn’t the Cloud Provider Protect my Data?

The short answer is: No.

The longer answer is that this is not their responsibility. They are the storage provider and offer ways to help protect your access. This is done with a password, and most solutions will offer 2FA  compatibility to help keep you safe. However, it is not actually their responsibility to get your data to YOU specifically.

This is because it is almost impossible to really tell who is who online.

Let’s say that you were the person in New York who was attacked by someone in Australia. They might be able to see that someone logged in from another country, but you could just be giving a friend access to a file. They don’t know who is accessing and who the real owner is. 

For all the provider knows you could just be abroad and log into your own information. This is why password protection, but more importantly multi-factor authentication, is so important to keeping you safe.

Can’t I Prove It’s My Data and Someone has Attacked Me?

This is easier said than done. The reason is that, once someone is attacking your data in the cloud, it can be almost impossible to prove anything.

If someone is in your account and changes your name, address, security questions, phone number, and all personal information then how would a provider be able to confirm anything?

For all they know, you are calling to break into someone else’s account. This is one of the reasons that they are not responsible for the safety of your data in the cloud.

How Managed Services can Help?

With all this being said you might be getting nervous about Cloud storage. However, that does not need to be the case.

Cloud storage has been a great solution for countless organizations and individuals who need unique data solutions. It can be an extremely safe and cost-effective solution to big data problems.

However, it is important to have someone making sure that you are safe. This is where a managed service provider can help.

Managed services teams work on numerous business technology solutions but many focus on security. They can help you figure out specifically what solutions your business needs and can help you create the infrastructure to be secure.

Finding the right solution can also be a money saver. You might be able to find exactly what your business will need instead of just guessing. Maybe you need a 3TB solution but you are only seeing deals for 2TB or 50TB. Paying for the 50TB could be a huge waste of money. A managed service provider can figure out what you actually need and help you make the right financial decision.

Many managed services teams, like Intelligent Technical Solutions, offer FREE network assessments to help you figure out what you need. Take advantage of our great FREE offer to learn how our managed services team can help you secure your cloud storage today!