Today, smart online users and businesses understand the value of deploying their data on the cloud. As a result, cloud computing has dramatically revolutionised business operations across the globe. Regardless of your location in Australia or anywhere globally, you can access private and public clouds.
The Process of Deploying Data to the Cloud
Since there are several cloud deployment models online, you should weigh your options carefully based on the various technical requirements. For example, some companies, such as Microsoft, provide users with easy-to-use software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. So, if you don’t want to use your applications, you can rely on the SaaS applications when deploying to the cloud. However, most technology companies providing SaaS services will not consult with you when making changes to their applications.
An Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) option, on the other hand, will allow you to outsource your hardware to third-party service providers, such as networking, but manage the rest. Other solutions such as Azure, which is Platform-as-a-service (PaaS), will provide you with all the operating systems and the necessary infrastructure your business needs and allow you to manage your business’s data and applications on the cloud. Azure is one of the few platforms that can act as a SaaS and IaaS service provider. Therefore, as a business owner, you need to understand all these deployment controls and tech requirements to make an informed decision.
Speed and Security of Cloud Solutions
It’s essential to understand their unique features before choosing a public or private cloud or a community or hybrid cloud. To effectively deploy to the cloud and work efficiently, you need to consider speed and security. Besides, you have the freedom to cater your cloud solutions to your specific needs. That means that a service provider won’t compel you to take all or else get nothing when deploying your data to the cloud.
A reputable cloud service provider can invest millions of dollars in their infrastructure every year to ensure malicious hackers don’t abuse the platform. By opting for such service providers, you won’t have to worry about the security of your data or applications. Besides, you can deploy your company’s data on the cloud and free up enough on-premises space for other vital functions.
In addition, you can rest assured your data is secure when working with established cloud service providers that only invest in high-tech security. Furthermore, ingenious features such as multi-factor authentication have become synonym with the cloud computing industry as an added layer of protection.
How to Protect Your Data in the Cloud
While cloud computing enhances convenience to individuals and businesses, it comes with a range of security risks. Therefore, it’s essential to know some crucial cloud data protection tips before deploying your data in the cloud. Here are a few tips to help you effectively deploy your data in the cloud:
1: Utilize Data Backups
Even though the cloud has been widely praised as being a reliable way of storing your data, you must regularly back up your data. Remember that in the event of a data breach, you might permanently lose your data.
2: Encrypt Sensitive Data
It’s not advisable to keep storing your sensitive data on the cloud because that is equivalent to exposing yourself to the world of cybercriminals. But, in case you choose to store some of your sensitive information on the cloud, consider encrypting it. That means that the data can only be accessed or read by intended parties only. Therefore, you need to encrypt every file before uploading it to the cloud, only to access individuals who have an encryption key.
Alternatively, you can use a cloud service provider that offers automatic data encryption options. All the data that you store with that service provider will be encrypted securely. This is an excellent option for cloud users who want to encrypt everything they hold on the cloud and keep it safe from the prodding eyes of cybercriminals.
3: Choose the Right Service Provider
There are numerous cloud service providers online that offer a wide range of data storage and handling options. Make sure the cloud service provider is designed to meet your specific needs and budget. Free cloud service providers tend to be a little vulnerable than their paid counterparts in terms of security level. Additionally, some companies might not mention that they’ll use or share the data you upload on their platform. Therefore, you need to carefully read through their Terms & Conditions section to ensure the details, especially their data protection policies.
4: Create a Strong Password
Good security hygiene calls for creating a solid password that malicious internet users can’t easily guess. Meaning, you should avoid using passwords on your other online accounts or apparent combinations such as your date of birth or pet names. Instead, your cloud account password should be a unique and complex combination of letters (a mix of lower and upper cases), digits, and characters.
Consider changing your passwords regularly, even if you don’t suspect that you’ve been hacked. Cloud service providers that allow users to utilise the multi-factor authentication option are often more secure.
5: Use Anti-Virus
Using anti-virus or anti-spy is another way of protecting the data you’ve uploaded on the cloud. Your data could still be stolen or lost no matter how secure the service provider claims to be. This often happens if a user’s device or files are infected with malware. To avoid exposing the data on your device to malware, you need to run an anti-virus software solution.
Additionally, schedule and execute regular penetration tests to verify the security level of your business’s cloud infrastructure. To identify vulnerabilities in your digital systems, you need to run tests that simulate widespread cyber-attack incidences.
Cloud Security Experts Throughout Australia
Overall, reputable managed cloud solutions providers can lift the burden of deploying, securing, and maintaining your data on the cloud off your shoulders. Steadfast Solutions knows the ins and outs of cloud technology and can help your business securely deploy and manage bulky data in the cloud more affordably. If your business is looking for a reliable partner that provides comprehensive cloud solutions in Australia, contact our cloud experts team at Steadfast Solutions today.
