How Safe is My Data in Online Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is becoming a new normal in the tech world. From individuals to large enterprises, all are actively engaging with cloud storage services. As per Cybersecurity Ventures, the world's data storage will reach 200 zettabytes by 2025, out of which 50% of data will be stored in the cloud online storage.

Almost every one of us is somehow attached to cloud storage. However, many of us are also concerned with data security and privacy in cloud storage, considering the growing cyber-attacks. But are cloud storage services really that vulnerable? Well, most of the vulnerability thoughts around online data storage are false blames because cloud storage providers also ensure top-notch security measures to protect your data from all potential data threats. To justify it further, this blog highlights the 4 basic layers of data safety offered by cloud storage providers.

4 Layers of Data Safety offered by Cloud Storage Providers

When data is stored online, it becomes more vulnerable to online threats. Therefore, cloud storage providers ensure data protection with multiple layers of data security, as listed below:

1. 1.      Encrypted Data Storage

Cloud storage means you are storing your data in the remote server center of the cloud service provider. But before your data is stored in the server, it gets encrypted. In simple words, when you upload any file in your cloud storage account, it also gets encrypted in the meanwhile before getting stored in the server. And the encryption is also usually of 256-bit AES military-grade encryption. So, if you are comfortable with PayPal and Amazon 128-bit encryption, then imagine the unbreakable nature of 256-bit encryption.

When your online stored data is completely encrypted, it is "mission impossible" for cyber-criminals to access your data. The best part, it's just the first layer of security to your online backup storage.

1. 2.      Encryption of Backup Server

The second security layer is the additional encryption of the backup server. The reputed or big cloud services name also perform compression and encryption of data even from the server-side using advanced technologies, such as AES, Bluefish, etc. So, that's encryption inside encryption, which surely makes it an unbreakable security wall. In addition, the compression of data lets cloud storage services store more data in less space, thereby reducing expenses and letting them offer competitive storage plans.

1. 3.      Physical Security

From the above two security layers, it should be clear how much online storage is secure. But there is another security layer, i.e., physical security. Encryption can help protect data from online threats, but physical threats can be addressed with best-in-class physical security. For example, continuously guarded buildings, access monitoring, biometric controlled server rooms, locked racks and disks, and plenty of other measures are part of physical security.

In addition, server rooms also possess fire detection and suppression systems, proper cooling mechanism, uninterrupted electricity, etc. To sum up, your data indeed reside in a third-party remote server, but it is well-guarded and protected continuously.

1. 4.      Multiple Backup Copies

Other than security threats, another concerning factor with online backup storage is the data loss possibility. We know that local storage drives are vulnerable to data loss due to hardware damage, power outage, software corruption, natural disaster, and similar other factors. So, what about data loss possibility in online storage, like a malfunction in the server, power outage, server room catching fire, etc.

It's true that server centers are also vulnerable to physical damages, but not your data. It is because reputed cloud storage services make multiple backup copies of your data and store them at their other remote server locations. So, even if one server center faces some data calamity, your data is still protected and accessible to you from other locations.

Other Benefits of Online Cloud Storage

Online cloud storage has tons of other benefits to offer other than offering encrypted data storage. Compared to local storage, here are some of the worth-mentioning benefits of online cloud storage:

• Unlimited Storage Space & Scalability: Cloud storage means a way to get unlimited storage space at a fractional price. Most of the services offer free cloud storage at the beginning so that you can test their services. Afterward, you can subscribe to any one of their plans and start storing data online. In local storage, you have to purchase new hardware drives for more storage space. But in cloud storage, you can easily scale your storage space up and down anytime.
• Accessibility: Data stored online means accessible from any internet-connected device. No matter where you are located and at what time you are accessing data, your cloud-stored data is accessible to you 24/7/365.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Cloud storage is highly cost-effective compared to local storage. For example, you get 15 GB of free cloud storage with a Google account and you can upgrade to a 100 GB plan for just $1.99/month. Cloud storage is a budget-friendly and secure way to save your valuable data.
• Shareability: Other than offering online storage space, cloud storage also enables you to share data with others. Using the web portal or mobile app of a cloud service provider, you can easily share your cloud-stored data with simple clicks.

Conclusion

There is no doubt declaring that cloud storage is the present and future of the data world. Considering the benefits it offers, along with top-notch security measures, the popularity of cloud storage and cloud computing is just going to grow more and more with every passing year. So, all you have to do is pick a reputed and trusted cloud storage service and then just upload your data without worrying about any security or data loss threats.

Contact the CARE TEAM to enquire about Cloud Storage options now !