We live in an age of technology and innovation. Since the beginning of this new era, countless new inventions and researches have been done. Cloud-based technology is one of the inventions that has rapidly gained popularity. Although this technology was invented before the start of this century, it was officially introduced in 2006.
With this modern technology, we don’t need to worry about having a data backup on hardware devices like our cellphone, laptop, USB or memory card. We can simply save our data on virtual servers i.e. cloud-based software. The most popular cloud-based software are Google drive, One drive, Dropbox, and Oracle. Anyone can use these cloud storages, whether it’s an individual or an enterprise. Storage is just one of the aspects of cloud computing. Four other key aspects of cloud computing are listed below:
- Networking
- Data management
- Services
- Devices
Although, cloud computing is very beneficial; there is a threat of security in cloud computing as well just like on the internet.
What is Cloud Security?
The threat of computer viruses and crashing physical storage devices became problematic because of the increasing usage of the internet. Similarly, there is the danger of cloud security breach while using cloud-based software. One would obviously question, “What kind of security threats can occur on cloud storage systems? There can be a couple of reasons for a security breach. These are as follows:
- The threat of hackers is all over the internet.
- A rival company can steal data from the cloud software if there is no security maintained.
- Not all cloud software ensure security.
- Cyber attacks
- Break down and crashes in cloud software
There are advantages and disadvantages of every technology. Since the cloud-based system is a part of the internet, naturally, there will be security issues. When the cloud-based system was invented, these threats were already foreseen by the inventors. To counteract these problems, cloud-based security software was created.
With the advent of IT businesses around the world, more and more cloud-based software was developed and sold to companies. Other IT companies created security software’s to tackle the security-related issues. One of the most popular cloud interfaces is VMware. It has its own security interface, VMware NSX.
Businesses around the world need the support of various IT solutions even if they have an IT department. Especially, if their business operates on cloud system software. Companies usually take the option of outsourcing by partnering with IT companies that provide all kinds of web and cloud solutions. Our company offers just the kind of services and products that are needed in the current workspace environment. Managing the VMware cloud platform and providing security is a part of our technology services.
Individuals and companies need awareness about implementing the security systems needed with their cloud-based software.
Reasons for Implementing Cloud Security Software:
Since the use of cloud-based software is becoming a common phenomenon in the corporate world, it is very important to be aware of its security as well. In this way, businesses can keep all their data safe on the cloud. Following are the reasons for implementing the cloud security software:
Security Breaches:
Security breaches are everywhere on the internet. Cloud-based software is a part of the internet, so obviously they need to be well secured. This threat will always linger because everything is now online. Security breaches have increased rapidly over the past few years. You may have read the news about big and small security breaches every now and then. This instils fear in individuals and companies, that their data may get stolen anytime. Companies must stay aware of all kinds of data breaches and study it in detail in order to implement their own cloud-based security. A security breach can also affect a company’s reputation severely. So, enterprises need to be vigilant about their cloud security and implement a cloud security software to keep their data safe and secure on the cloud.
Not all Cloud Software contain built-in Security:
When companies implement cloud-based software, they should make sure whether the software comes with a strong built-in security or not. Companies need to play smartly in these situations because they are paying a cost for the cloud-based software. They need to select a quality cloud software that comes with cloud security and is cost-efficient. If a company is multinational, they can afford a separate cloud security plan. Having a layered cloud security is very beneficial for multinational organizations because the threat of data theft and data breach is always there.
Where is your Data Stored on Cloud?
You did shift most of your business operations on the cloud but do you know where the data is being stored? Are you sure that your data is secure? Your business data is quite valuable and your whole business depends on it. Ensure that you know where all your data is being stored on the cloud. Beware of those cloud vendors that outsource their own company services from a third party. This is why you need to hire a professional cloud vendor. You need to learn how they are managing your cloud processes and what security protocol is being used for securing your business data.
Application Protection:
If you have moved your business applications on the cloud interface, you can implement cloud security and protect all your business applications. Additionally, all your application’s data will be secure and backed up through cloud security.
So, when implementing cloud security it is your responsibility to discuss the cloud infrastructure of your business with your service provider. In order to protect business applications, plan the security levels and apply them on the cloud.
Data Deletion:
Data deletion is another threat that cannot be ignored. This can happen accidentally by employees if they do not know how the cloud operations work. Do ensure that your employees are well-trained to use the cloud interface. If your cloud security is already implemented and running well, you can bring back the deleted data.
Data deletion can also occur when your subscription expires with your cloud vendor. Not all, but some data may vanish. Sometimes glitches may also occur while your cloud interface system is running. If your cloud security is strong with data backup, you won’t lose your valuable business data.
These are the five main reasons why organizations need to implement cloud security software.
Cloud Computing has taken over the Business World:
The shift from manual work to automatic systems was massive in the corporate world. While this change is still taking place in developing countries, the business world has adopted this cloud technology.
No matter what kind of business you are running, there is always a large amount of data being produced and managed. This applies especially to large enterprises, like multinational organizations. With such heavy data, organizations faced a shortage of space on hard drives. They also faced frequent occurrence of computer viruses. Even with the data backup, there was still a threat of loss of data. As the amount of data kept increasing because of the ongoing business, it was hard for the IT people to keep saving and backing up the data flow. The corporate businesses realized that the physical storage servers won’t be able to handle huge data chunks. So, they started implementing cloud computing. Gradually, it was implemented in every small and large firm.
At first, they faced problems due to acceptance of change in their new business solutions. But eventually, after conducting ongoing training sessions for the employees and management, they were able to understand the advantages of the cloud-based simplified business solutions.
Benefits of Cloud Computing:
- Connectivity and Communication:
With cloud computing, the internal connectivity of the business improves and the communication systems become simplified. Because all the departments are connected through a single cloud interface, the flow of information becomes easier and quicker. In this way, miscommunications can be avoided and the overall productivity of the business is increased.
- Flexibility of workspace:
The employees are provided with a flexibility of workspace with cloud-based computing. This means that they can access their workspace from their homes if for some reason they can’t show up at the office. Even if an employee or a workplace team are out of their country for some project, they will still be able to access their workspace easily.
- Data Analytics:
With cloud computing, businesses can easily manage the data analytics of their business. Through data analytics, they can recognize their business patterns. This can help them to determine where their business stands and what potential does their business operations have. With data analytics, businesses can easily strategize their objectives to achieve their overall goals.
- Decreasing Excessive Hardware Costs:
The overall cost of the companies had increased because of the excessive usage of in-house computer servers and external memory storage devices. When the option of cloud storage and cloud-based software was introduced, the companies realized their potential immediately. In order to cut their IT costs and eliminate the threat of data deletion, many businesses started implementing cloud-based software.
- Ease of Collaboration:
If you are planning to collaborate with any international companies, you can communicate and share more efficiently without the use of traditional methods. You can work across different locations easily by using cloud computing. You will be able to control the access of your cloud business interface by allowing them access to the portion of cloud that is being used for a specific project.
- Less Licensing cost:
With the cloud business model, more than half of your software licensing costs can be reduced. You will only have to pay the subscriptions costs quarterly or yearly, depending on your subscriptions. This saves your company from purchasing a bunch of different licenses and reduces the overall cost of your operations.
- Regular updates of your cloud interface:
The updates in cloud computing will be more regulated, depending on your subscription plans and cloud service provider. Your cloud interface will update automatically with the latest versions that are regulated by the cloud service provider. The increase in technology has given birth to new possibilities. Now, with the application of these possibilities, your cloud interface system will keep improving. This will result in a beneficial boost for your business and its operations.
- Drive sales from Cloud computing:
As the cloud supports rapid innovation you can use the technology to drive sales for your products or services in the market. Today’s business market is fast and regulated by technologies. Generating sales through cloud computing has never been easier. You can conveniently increase your revenue by experimenting with your cloud computing and adapt to new solutions easily.
Conclusion
The business world has now upgraded to cloud solutions technologies. The competition is getting tougher and new companies are emerging in the market. Many organizations fear the change so they are still operating their systems on old technologies. It is understandable that managing this new technology is not easy. Companies do experience failures and glitches in various cloud business models.
The purpose of this article was to create awareness for workplace environments around the world who are still afraid to adapt to new technologies. Cloud-based technology and cloud-based solutions are not as hard as you think they might be.