Why cloud is just as secure as on-premise systems.
According to Informationweek, 81% of business owners say security is their top concern when it comes to the cloud.
But businesses can rest assured that the cloud is just as secure as on-premise systems.
The Truth about Cloud Security
Cloud providers understand the need for robust security. Having data security handled by a vendor removes the need for the client to ensure every part of their infrastructure is compliant.
RapidScale claims that 94% of businesses saw an improvement in security after switching to the cloud, and 91% said the cloud makes it easier to meet government compliance requirements.
Cloud vendors provide the following key benefits to their customers:
- Higher Uptime: Today, most enterprise SLAs specify 99.5% or higher uptime guaranteed by multiple layers of redundancy in data centers spread throughout the world. This includes provisions for backup and recovery in the case of unforeseen events where demand drastically increases, like during a seasonal marketing campaign.
- Encryption at Rest: Most cloud providers use strong encryption protocols when customer data is transmitted. All data is encrypted at rest to ensure that sensitive data saved on disks isn’t readable by any user or application without a valid key.
- DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Protection: A DDoS attack occurs when a distributed network of machines sends an overwhelming amount of malicious data to a target server or network, denying service by crowding out legitimate users trying to reach the server during the attack. DDoS attacks have increased recently due to the proliferation of IoT devices. But with the cloud, the attacking traffic won’t get near the server.
- Compliance and Certifications: Cloud providers must go through third-party testing and audits to ensure the highest levels of security. A few standard certifications include SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001, and CSA STAR.
Ultimately, cloud providers have more resources, including cutting-edge technology, experienced staff, and investment, allocated towards delivering the most secure solution for their customers than on-prem systems.
Debunking 3 Myths around Cloud Security
Security will continue to be a major concern for any business, so let's help assuage some of your cloud security fears.
Here are 3 of the most common concerns around cloud security debunked:
1. We don’t have visibility or control over the cloud.
Your data isn’t just down the hall in the server room, so it makes sense that companies have concerns about who could gain access to that data. In fact, 85% of IT professionals fear that a lack of cloud visibility will result in security threats.
But in order to keep a server running on-premise, businesses must consider the additional costs required to maintain the server, including paying for air conditioning, lighting, building security, and power.
Additionally, on-premise servers are still susceptible to data breaches simply because they are also connected to the internet.
Although you may not be able to "see" the cloud, most major cloud providers provide 24/7 monitoring so that you can have access to the most up-to-date insights about your data and applications—a service not provided by on-prem systems.
2. Cloud is more susceptible to data breaches.
It may seem that having data on the cloud leaves it more vulnerable, but cloud providers are dedicated to maintaining and managing a secure cloud infrastructure, often doing it better than a business or large enterprise could achieve on their own.
Additionally, cloud vendors are subject to rigorous and regular compliance and testing, ensuring that their customers only receive the highest levels of security. In fact, 71% of Forrester survey respondents say that when they migrated their content to the cloud, they actually experienced increased security.
Additionally, the cloud is not more likely to be hacked. According to Computer Weekly, more than 3 in 5 Chief Information Security Officers believe that the security risk of a data breach is the same or lower in a cloud environment than on-premise.
Customers can confidently place their trust in a reputable cloud provider knowing the cloud has fewer vulnerabilities, better resiliency, and newer technology that will help keep data and applications secure.
3. We'll lose our data if we migrate to the cloud.
Large-scale data migration to the cloud is not an easy undertaking. 67% of cybersecurity professionals worry about data loss and leakage if they were to move to the cloud.
Most cloud providers, however, offer backup capabilities to ensure data is safe and can be restored if needed. Incremental backup routines are run regularly, and backups can be replicated in different regions, encrypted at rest, and then permanently retained.
Additionally, many cloud providers include disaster recovery strategies should something happen to the data while migrating. Often, the entire infrastructure can be brought back online within two hours.
The Future is in the Cloud
By 2025, 80% of organizations are predicted to migrate to the cloud.
Don’t let the cloud intimidate you. The best cloud providers are equipped to help you overcome your concerns and start to realize the many benefits of making the migration.
Is it Time to Move to the Cloud?
Did you know that the cloud can help your business accelerate the development lifecycle, reduce time-to-market, and strengthen business operations? Learn more about deploying Liferay to the cloud with Liferay SaaS here.
