Nearly every day at CloudWyze we get an inquiry about the security of data stored in the cloud. Honestly? Cloud Infrastructure is typically significantly more secure than any unmanaged network, and in many cases, locally managed networks! But, because it’s important to weigh the options, I'm happy to offer few insights into data security.

It’s critical to note: Nothing is 100 percent impenetrable. If you’re connected to the Internet in any way, you are vulnerable.
Think of it this way: If a thief has targeted your home, having the alarm system set is a slim deterrent. If you know you’re under surveillance, you might add video cameras, fencing, walls and maybe even private security guards.

It’s the same with your data. You must determine the level of the threat, because in most cases, the more levels of true security you add, the more secure you are – and the more complex environment in which you live.

The cloud is significantly more secure than the server in your office. Why?

• Tougher-than-Fort-Knox data center. Seriously. Do you think Google, IBM, SAS and others would trust their corporate data to anything less secure than a Fort Knox-type environment? Those are the companies that share the data centers in which we collocate. We go through security checks every time we enter. It has every physical preparedness measure that’s been invented, right down to bulletproof glass. James Bond would have a heck of a time getting in here.
• Automatically backed up; automatically off-site. Good providers automatically back up your data and assure its storage for a defined period of time, saving you from the constant task of assuring that your on-site backup is working. These are generally flexible services which can be adjusted based on your needs and requirements.
• CloudWyze data centers are HIPAA and HITECH compliant, with Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solutions available.

Businesses are going to the cloud in record numbers, because it is convenient and cost effective but also because it is more secure. If you’re considering adding your business to that list, there are a few steps to take now, during the initial research phase:

1. Test the service before you sign over your application or database to a cloud provider.
    
2. Talk to the provider’s customers who have similar environments.
    
3. Get your IT security experts involved during the due diligence process. The cloud should be as secure as any local environment, or more so.
    
4. Know the contacts at the cloud provider in case there is ever a loss.
    
5. Know the backup schedule, and ensure it is what works appropriately for your needs.
    
6. Treat a possible move to the cloud the same way you’d hire an employee – due diligence, and gut response.

For many, the security benefits alone are enough to justify the move to the cloud. But don’t be afraid to ask about other services the cloud makes accessible to you. There is a lot you can do in a cloud environment that would be too costly or complex with traditional infrastructure deployments.

Still confused? Reach out to an expert. At CloudWyze, we breathe the cloud, and love to talk about how it’s saving our customers time and money – and refocusing them on their business, not their technology.

Shaun Olsen is the CEO and President of CloudWyze. CloudWyze was created to help businesses focus and perform at their optimal level by crafting and executing custom technology plans for businesses of every type and size. To learn more about CloudWyze, visit www.CloudWyze.com. Shaun can be reached at[email protected] or 910-795-1000.