Information Center

Data Protection in the Cloud: Benefits & Best Practices

What is Data Protection in the Cloud?

Cloud data protection is essential for any company using it for actively accessing information or archiving it within the cloud. These measures ensure that only authorized personnel can access this information and protect data from hackers, leaks, and errors.

Cloud data security applies to both internally managed companies and companies managed by a third-party service provider. Focusing on data protection within the cloud is more critical than ever as companies gather, use, and store higher volumes of information essential for their processes, especially when using SaaS applications and web portals.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of data protection in the cloud, cloud data protection best practices, and more.

Benefits of Cloud Data Protection

Top-notch data security in the cloud provides numerous benefits for users. This type of governance is designed to protect user data and applications, manage threats, and provide secure access controls for companies with growing needs.

This is especially true for globally operating companies that fall under GDPR compliance. GDPR refers to the regulation that requires any business to ensure confidentiality of data and personally identifiable information of residents of the EU. If a company fails to adhere to these compliance rules, steep fines are imposed. Entities operating within the cloud who perform transactions in Europe must be compliant and provide security to protect themselves from breaches and data leaks.

Companies can also benefit from data security offered by a third-party provider because it allows for scalability, which provides a way to control expenditures and enables them to choose only the options that benefit the company at that time.

Additionally, having adequate security in place streamlines processes. It helps save money in the long run because taking a proactive approach to potential threats reduces additional workforce requirements and the effort required to contain issues and clean up the damage after a breach or data leak.

The proper level of security will create a blanket of protection over any applications, access ports, or devices connected to a system or complex architecture. There is also an ability to keep business operations and systems flowing even when a component fails because of monitoring and protocols set to prevent system failures.

Cloud Data Protection Best Practices

There are several best practices when using the cloud to store data and access essential services. Incorporating these actions into business protocol ensures data stays safe and protected and prevents unauthorized access and other potential leaks.

Backup Data

An excellent way to ensure you don't lose vital information is to frequently back up your data and create replicates stored in alternative locations. This process can easily be automated to occur on a specific schedule at regular intervals. Frequent backups are essential and prevent serious complications when component outages or system failures occur, thus protecting data in the cloud.

Evaluate Built-In Security

A security provider must have the tools, internal protocol, and control features to help protect data at all times. They should also be transparent about their compliance policy standards with clients. These vendors should be certified to meet regulatory compliance needs and provide transparent services to the company.

Use File-Level Encryption

Those using cloud-based services should consider file-based encryption as an extra layer of protection or a foundation for cloud security. This approach allows for data fragmentation or producing shards to store in alternate locations that reduce the rebates and prevent system breaches.

Strong Credential Policies

Another method for creating better security is to ensure strict access for only specific individuals. Strong credentials prevent data breaches and attacks. Some approaches include using complex passwords, granting access to trusted users, and only allowing access necessary for their positions.

Securely Transfer Data

A method for transferring data securely in the cloud is using SSL and encryption for all communication processes. You can then see who can access data and then track that data. Users can also see when access is revoked and restrict access at will or when it's transferred to other entities and organizations. These methods help companies adhere to laws and compliance rules.

Secure Devices

One of the most important parts of cloud security setups is the endpoints. These user endpoints are incredibly vulnerable to leaks and attacks. For instance, employee smartphones able to access the cloud pose a significant risk to a company's security. Security endpoints with additional measures and protocols should be required, and restricting data transfers to and from the cloud should also be an option.

Top-level third-party security providers use these best practices to ensure your information is secure and to prevent hackers from stealing your data

Challenges to Data Protection in the Cloud

There are several challenges to overcome when companies operate within the cloud, whether it's an entirely cloud-based system or a hybrid system. These challenges can be managed effectively with the proper insight, tools, and techniques.

Lack of Data Visibility

Data visibility can become clouded with specific actions such as moving workloads and reducing your system controls. Any data being transferred to the cloud isn't protected by intrusion prevention systems and can't be mirrored by diagnostic tools. These factors create decreased visibility and blind spots.

Data Confidentiality

There are also many challenges to creating levels of confidentiality in a cloud environment. Security providers must develop a strategy for limiting access based on necessity and prevent sensitive data from being read by implementing restrictions via a credential-based system. There should also be methods for instantly revoking access in situations with a threat or a new development. They must also ensure these restrictions stay in place without failing to prevent access to unauthorized individuals or connected services.

Inconsistencies Among Cloud Providers

There are inconsistencies among cloud providers with different approaches and abilities. This is all too common and can create a data security threat in cloud environments without the proper security considerations. The remedy for this problem is to have measures in place to account for these inconsistencies and provide security that includes solutions across any cloud provider's protocols and framework.

Not Enough Storage in the Cloud

In some instances, there may not be enough available storage within the cloud to upload or back up data, which puts data at risk. A third-party security provider can take approaches to ensure data reaches the cloud effectively and remains secure and out of reach from hackers and breaches.

Security Breaches

Security breaches are a constant threat to companies without adequate measures for enterprise data protection in the cloud. A combination of tools, encryption, and security features is necessary to prevent breaches that can expose sensitive information and qualify as a costly GDPR compliance failure. End to end, security is the only way to ensure all company data and PII remain protected. Each part of the system and data transfers must be considered and measures implemented to keep it safe at any stage or location.

How Veritas Can Help You Protect Your Data in the Cloud

There are many considerations for companies operating within the cloud, whether it's in a hybrid or entirely cloud-operated environment. Threats lurk at every stage of data creation, transfer, and storage, which is why companies need highly experienced and knowledgeable cloud security providers with the latest tools and techniques to ensure data remains safe. 

Some primary best practices, such as endpoint device security, enacting strong credential policies, and using file encryption, are essential. Furthermore, frequently evaluating and maintaining built-in systems and replicating and backing up data are methods for data loss prevention and system fortitude.

Additionally, there are many challenges to overcome when working with any cloud-based system that can make keeping data secure and out of the hands of hackers a headache. 

However, a top security provider like Veritas can help by providing solutions that match your organization’s individual needs. Measures to protect data overflow and access are just part of the services Veritas offers clients to ensure safety.

Cloud providers are not responsible for any data stored within their environment. The responsibilities fall on the company and its security provider, which allows for an architecture that is secure from outside threats and errors. A third-party provider offers a higher level of cloud data security and accessibility when necessary. Overcoming challenges in cloud-based systems and using best practices are areas where top cloud security providers like Veritas shine.

Data protection in the cloud is the main goal of Veritas when serving clients to ensure they stay protected and keep their systems maintained and monitored around the clock. Veritas is a highly respected security provider that can help with everything from disaster recovery to data protection in the cloud, all by using a NetBackup system. 

Contact Veritas today to speak with a representative to learn how they can offer the most comprehensive and updated security measures for companies with cloud-based needs. Reach out to get answers to questions or to request more details about Veritas security services and how they can help you keep your data safe.

 

Veritas customers include 95% of the Fortune 100, and NetBackup™ is the #1 choice for enterprises looking to back up large amounts of data.

 

Learn how Veritas keeps your data fully protected across virtual, physical, cloud and legacy workloads with Data Protection Services for Enterprise Businesses.

Contact us today to receive a call from one of our representatives.