More and more small to medium-sized businesses are adopting cloud computing. It’s a must for those who wanted to expand their enterprise. A study by Emergent Research and Intuit found that about 80% of businesses will use cloud computing technology in 2020. That is because it allows you to scale your business at a fast rate, as it gives you access to advanced information technology (IT) tools and apps without having to invest in server equipment and the office space for it. Cloud technology also provides you with innovative collaboration tools and a way to access your documents from anywhere and every device.
When using cloud computing tech, however, you entrust most of your business’ important files and processes to applications and storage over the internet. That means you need to take extra precautions to ensure your data is entirely secure against possible breaches and other cyber attacks. Here are practical measures you can choose to do so.
Create a Strong Password Policy
Hackers often have tools that allow them to use different combinations of common passwords to gain access to your or your employees’ accounts and Office 365 backups. Default passwords should always be changed. Others may also brute force their way into your account, logically guessing what your password may be without the assistance of software. As such, birthdays, anniversaries, or any other detail that’s related to you should never be used as a password.
According to Avast, an anti-virus software provider, a long password with at least 15 characters is best. It should have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Alternatively, you can use a secure password generator and memorize it. Each password should also be changed every few months to keep attackers on their toes.
Educate Your Workers
Sometimes the most significant security threat comes from within. Your workers may end up exposing your data to breaches and hackers unknowingly through phishing. This technique involves creating fake websites and emails that bait users into either providing sensitive information or downloading malicious softwarethat lets attackers gain access to your cloud network.
Hire a cybersecurity expert to educate your employees on phishing, how it works, and how to avoid falling into it. That may take time off your workers’ tasks, but minimizing the chances of breaches and cyber-attacks is always worth it.
Keep Access Limited
There are specific files only you and other high-level employees can see. A disorganized cloud storage system may cause some of your workers to accidentally view or even edit documents they shouldn’t have access to. Work with a cybersecurity professional to set up different access levels for your cloud storage system and other applications. This way, the right people get to access the correct documents at the right time.
Cloud technology makes your business processes much more flexible and cost-efficient. However, you need to take the necessary security precautions to ensure your critical business and customer data are safe. With proper access control and password policies and cyber security-savvy workers, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of the cloud without worries.
