What Should You Know About Cloud Security Solutions?

First, let’s explain exactly what the cloud is, and how it relates to digital security. Intuitively, some people believe that “cloud” storage means your data is being held in the air somehow, but this isn’t really the case. Instead, most cloud applications store data on physical servers, in datacentres around the globe. Your data is stored remotely, and provided to you upon request.

- Guilherme Alvarenga, Product Marketing Manager, Cloud Security at Check Point Software Technologies

There are many advantages to this approach. Notably, you won’t have to invest time, money, or energy into building or maintaining your own servers; you’ll be relying on someone else’s for a fraction of the cost. Additionally, you’ll have access to your apps and your data from anywhere, so long as you have a device connected to the internet.

CLOUD SECURITY: PROS AND CONS

Now, let’s turn our attention to security. Cloud apps and services have some security advantages and disadvantages that you’ll need to consider.

You could say that the biggest strength of cloud computing is also its biggest weakness: a separate organisation is storing your data. In some ways, this is a good thing. It means that you’ll have access to another company’s robust resources, staff, and experience to securely store your data. However, data security is not the exclusive responsibility of your cloud service provider.

Even if you’re working with a transparent business, and one that prioritises their client’s security, you will also have a responsibility to keep your own data safe. By contrast, if you run your own applications and host your data on your own servers, you’ll have complete control and responsibility over how you operate.