Cloud adoption is almost universal. Some 96 percent of enterprises use some form of cloud computing. Adoption has also come alongside headline news about massive data breaches.

As a result, many business leaders have questions about security and reliability. Is cloud storage safe in today’s world?

The answer about cloud storage safety might surprise you.

Is Cloud Storage Safe?

Cloud storage often seems like it’s more vulnerable to hackers and ransomware. After all, you’re storing your data somewhere outside your company.

Whether it’s a private cloud or a public cloud, storing your data outside your business may seem like a risk.

Public cloud providers have also been historically lax about their safety. That has left data open to hackers, who may have taken advantage of it.

Private clouds haven’t been immune, though. Common private cloud mistakes can expose data.

The good news is that the story is changing. Today’s cloud storage may be even safer than keeping your data on local servers you own and operate. Don’t forget to take a look at the best cheap dedicated servers to have a secure business and better performance.

Toward a Safer Cloud

Cloud storage is safe today because providers have been stepping up their security. Even before breaches were headline news, some providers may have offered better security than your own business.

Why is that? Cloud providers may have larger budgets to invest in security solutions. That means they can employ more sophisticated software or larger teams.

This is a huge win for small businesses especially. Your IT budget may have prevented you from investing in cybersecurity. If so, then a cloud storage solution could provide better security.

Another factor is the cloud providers’ expertise in this area. Most of them understand cloud architecture better than the average small business owner. They’re in a better position to build safer clouds and improve security by using the right solutions, including the best disaster recovery options.

They can also monitor and update on a more frequent basis than you might be able to. Backups, patches, and more mean your data is more secure.

The Public vs Private Debate

Another question when it comes to how safe the cloud is for storage centers on the public vs. private debate.

There are some concerns that the public cloud is less secure than the private cloud. That has to do with the architecture behind both types of clouds.

A private cloud features dedicated servers. Your company’s data is the only data stored on the server. That means the hacker must be intentionally targeting you.

A public cloud offers better pricing by divvying up servers between clients. The cloud provider can spread the costs of server hardware and maintenance over several clients. This means other people access your server, and other companies have their data stored there.

This increases your risks. A hacker might target a different company. Malware or ransomware may spread through the entire server.

Public cloud providers are well aware of the risks, though. They have been taking serious steps to making the cloud even more secure.

Public cloud servers have built-in firewalls, AI tools, and automatic patching protocols. Encryption adds another level of protection on every server. Visit the Couchbase website and get more details.

These measures help to limit the spread of attacks. They may even prevent a breach from happening in the first place. AI and automatic patching can seal up vulnerabilities before hackers can get to them.

Again, the larger budget of the cloud provider helps here. AI tools and talented team members may not be in the budget for a small business. That means the cloud is actually more secure than your own hard drive or servers.

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Private Can Be at Risk too

Public clouds may seem riskier than private options. That doesn’t mean private clouds are never breached. Mistakes in setting up a private server or not updating can also expose your data.

No matter which type of cloud storage solution you choose, you should make sure your provider uses the right security protocols.

Keeping Data Safe from Workers

Another reason cloud storage is safe is that it’s often protected from workers themselves. Most cloud servers are stored in large warehouses that few people have access to.

This could be a big change from your own business, where your servers would be stored in your office. That could mean almost every employee has access to the servers. The risk of data being stolen increases when more people have access to the servers.

Cloud providers also train their teams extensively. Those same team members are often cybersecurity professionals. They’re better able to spot risks and deal with them.

You can and should train your team about how to handle data safely. Taking extra precautions when connecting to the cloud, staying off public WiFi, and more can help you protect your data.

That said, your team may not be well versed in security solutions. They may not be able to recognize risks, and they may also fall behind on security tasks. Investing in cloud storage is like getting a cybersecurity team to help you keep everything under lock and key.

Cloud Reliability in an Uncertain World

Another question might be, “How safe is cloud storage in an uncertain world?” Sending your data to an offsite location may seem risky.

What if there’s a fire or flood? You might worry about other incidents that could threaten physical servers.

Backups help to keep your data safe. If any data is lost, you should be able to recover it.

Storing data in several locations is a smart idea. That way, if you lose data at one site, you should be able to recover it. Your office isn’t immune to fires and floods, so having your data in the cloud could make it easier to recover.

Peace of Mind for Your Business

Many people ask, “Is cloud storage safe?” The answer is almost always yes. For many small business owners, it’s the safest option they have.

With better security protocols, teams of experts, and more, you can rest assured your data will be safe in the cloud.

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