Clouds For Business

Many current business needs can be managed more effectively in the cloud server rather than on the company’s in-house facilities. If your organization uses Dropbox for data storage, Slack for internal communication, or Salesforce for handling customer service, you’re already using cloud computing.

90% of companies are already taking advantage of using cloud services to store their vital data. Also, businesses investing in cloud solutions enjoy up to 53% faster revenue growth in comparison to their competitors.

So if you are exploring the benefits of moving to the cloud, this article will give you the answer to  this question as well as  provide you with some important nuances related to the security issues related to cloud computing.

What Is Cloud Computing?

The term “cloud computing” refers to a variety of cloud services, including:

• Cloud storage: These services store and backup files so you can access them whenever you want. Files may also be exchanged and synchronized between different devices.
• Cloud backup: Although cloud storage and cloud backup may seem synonymous, cloud backup is intended to serve as a failsafe solution in the event of a server crash, cyberattack, or other data loss.
• Software as a service (SaaS): SaaS solutions use the web to provide a service.
• Cloud hosting: It facilitates multiple types of information sharing, such as email services, data storage, web-based phone systems, and application hosting.

What Types of Cloud Services Do Companies Use?

Cloud-computing services range from data storage to functional programs, including customer service tools, accounting software, and remote desktop hosting. These services can be divided into three groups: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS allows users to access software apps through the internet. SaaS apps, which are accessible through computers and internet-enabled mobile devices, allow employees to collaborate on projects, download essential files, and work directly on specialized computer programs. SaaS apps include Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Software developers may use this cloud service to access cloud-based resources such as APIs, web portals, and gateway software. Common solutions include Google App Engine, Salesforce’s Lightning, and AWS’ Elastic Beanstalk.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Physical hardware, such as in-house web hosting servers, can be replaced by IaaS. IaaS allows companies to take advantage of different configurations to manage multiple workload needs by providing services like virtual servers or virtual machines. Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services are two of the most important players in this area.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cost Efficiency

Cloud computing is probably the most cost-effective option to use, manage, and update the IT infrastructure. There are many pay-as-you-go packages and other scalable solutions available, making the transition from conventional on-premises hardware to the cloud very affordable for companies of any size.

You can use cloud services to save money and boost performance rather than overpaying for costly server equipment, desktops, and licenses, then spending a lot of time setting up and maintaining them.

Flexibility and Mobility

Cloud computing is the next step of cloud transformation because it provides the employees with the advantages of mobility:

• Access from anywhere: Cloud computing enables employees to travel more freely and work from every place outside of the office.
• Access from any device: Mobile apps and devices have progressed well beyond on-the-go messaging, allowing personal devices to access business applications and corporate desktops.

Improved Performance

A significant number of cloud-based storage solutions include integrated cloud analytics and can be improved with tracking mechanisms, allowing to build customized reports to analyze information.

Better Control and Collaboration

With cloud solutions, you can have full access and control over your data. You can easily control what level of data access employees have, allowing you to control and streamline the work process. Cloud computing also facilitates collaborations since many employees can work on the same version of the document, therefore there is no need to have many copies in circulation.

Data Recovery

Cloud service ensures fast data recovery, which means that in case of a power outage or disaster, a downtime of your business will be minimized up to 4 hours.

Cloud Security

One of the most distinct advantages of cloud solutions, not mentioned above, is the security of data stored in a properly protected cloud service. Nevertheless, cloud security companies have to take measures to protect the data of their clients, ensure privacy and support regulatory compliance. For this reason, demand for cloud data security – a set of controls, policies, technologies, and procedures used to protect cloud-based data, applications, and infrastructure – rapidly grows. 66% of IT professionals say security is their greatest concern in adopting a cloud computing strategy.

Still, it is important to understand that not only cloud security companies have to take measures to ensure the security of data stored in a cloud but also IT organizations must take security measures to ensure that cloud computing does not put their business at risk.

Threats to Cloud Data Security

DDoS

Although DDoS attacks were extremely difficult to initiate when cloud computing first became popular, Internet of Things devices, smartphones, and other computing systems changed that. Today, with enough traffic initiated to a cloud system, the threat of a DDoS attack is among real cloud security risks.

Cloud Provider

A cloud provider itself can become a reason for a cloud security threat. As not all of them are created equal, some are known for providing a lack of security between clients, which results in shared resources, applications, and systems. The worst thing about such a threat is that even when it is targeted at one client, it will also have an impact on another one.

Employee Mistakes

Although there are numerous possible threats to cloud security, the most common one is a fault of an employee. It is associated with negligence and mistakes people make when logging into the cloud from home PC’s, tablets, or personal smartphones, leaving a system vulnerable to many outside threats.

Ransomware

Such a specific type of security threat as ransomware appears as the result of improper data syncing and inadequate backups. It locks the data of a client and does not allow accessing it until a ransom is paid.

Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

As a cloud computing system is quite open and is accessible from anywhere, confidential information acquired by a potential attacker allows breaking into the cloud and accessing confidential data stored in it with ease. Phishing and social engineering attacks can be avoided if employees are knowledgeable about them.

System Vulnerabilities

Any vulnerability of the system can be used against a business when it becomes known with a third-party system. To prevent cloud security issues, network monitoring solutions, proper patching, and upgrade protocols are used.

Bottom Line

The fact that the cloud gains more and more popularity today by freeing it on our devices ensures the continuous trend of cloud computing. One more thing that guarantees demand in cloud security services is that data storage is known for being a burning issue for companies worldwide. So until humanity finds a better way of storing e-data, it is wise to put your head in a cloud and see how it works and what it can offer.

While cloud computing has a lot of benefits, and these benefits are undoubtful, there is a growing demand for security solutions for cloud services. At SCAND, we put a strong emphasis on developing cloud computing solutions with an improved level of security. EpubCloud – a product that hosts, stores, and shares EPUB files for their further reading from various devices – is one of the examples. When it comes to security, it is ensured through Oauth2 and Google 2-factor authentication.

There is no doubt that the cloud security solutions trend will continue to grow. Still, the most important thing to keep in mind is that cloud data security is a joint effort, so getting knowledge about ways to secure cloud storage is no less important than finding a good cloud software development company.