Cloud computing can be an anxious topic for business owners as their data is stored offsite, especially in a year that saw Sony hacked and lose information on 77 million users. Security is high on the list of priorities for anyone considering a move towards cloud computing.
Security issues can be categorised into two groups, security issues faced by the cloud computing provider and the responsibilities of the customer to ensure that the cloud computing provider has taken the necessary precautions with the data. Cloud computing providers must ensure that the solutions provided comply with the data protection act so that each customer's data is separate from another company's data and can be securely moved between locations. The solution must also prevent access to the data by third parties.
It is not just the data either that must be secure. The physical machines used to store the data must also be in a secure location and document any and all access made to the data. Cloud computing also provides business with continuity. With the data in a separate location to the main office, data can accessed from any location with an internet connection should a disaster befall the building. A cloud computing provider should be able to inform the customer what will happen to their data in an emergency and how long they will be down for.
Never be afraid to ask the cloud computing provider any questions that you may feel necessary. It is the questions that you ask that will decide which cloud computing provider is right for you and your business.
