Since the 1990s, cyber security has been one of the most pressing concerns whenever data needs to be put online and the emergence of cloud computing didn’t ease business’ stress at the time. This has to do with the fact that traditionally many companies are used to storing their data on-site using a physical server – even when they don’t have it on their premises, they want to know the exact location of the server that is responsible for hosting it to help ease their apprehension of malware, data breaches and other vulnerabilities.
Thankfully, cloud hosting solutions has come on leaps and bounds in regard to security as well as the other benefits it presents. In this guide, we outline whether cloud hosting is secure enough to store data on and whether it is superior to a traditional on-site server.
How secure is cloud hosting?
In short, cloud hosting is one of the most secure ways to host your website and data, beating the traditional on-site server. Whilst incorporating a cloud server into your IT systems is the optimal form of hosting, it isn’t 100% secure as many providers suggest.
Secure cloud hosting providers can help reduce certain types of threats by regularly updating their security systems, but even the most established hosting can be vulnerable if you’re not implementing security best practices yourself. Correctly configuring your virtual server before transferring and storing files will help enable you to experience the best features cloud-based solutions present to businesses.
What makes cloud hosting so secure?
Companies that provide cloud hosting capabilities are constantly innovating on ways to improve security and reduce the risk of cybercriminals gaining access to their virtual servers causing data loss and data breaches. Simply put, cloud security should be a priority for businesses of all sizes as protecting your sensitive data is of the utmost importance.
Built-in firewalls
Cloud hosts rely on firewalls to help protect your files, website and other data against malware and cybercriminals. Firewalls, which can be hardware or software-based, apply rules to all of the traffic coming into a network. These rules are designed to filter out dubious traffic and to keep your data behind the wall. This makes it more difficult for hackers to slip malware or viruses past the security measures used by your cloud host provider.
Regular security updates
As part of a cloud hosting package, the provider will automatically keep your system up-to-date with the latest and greatest technology and security measures in your region. Security updates and patches are continuously rolled out and after the initial deployment, the impact will be reviewed and improved upon in later updates. This alone should persuade your business to upgrade from an on-site traditional hosting system to a virtual one such as Microsoft Azure.
Regulatory compliance
Cloud hosting providers such as Westlake IT must adhere to laws and comply with industry and security standards. If providers neglect these security regulations, they may face more risks and threats to their cloud hosting service, which not only benefits the provider themselves but their customers too.
Should I host on the cloud or an on-site server?
In today’s fast-paced environment, many businesses and individuals are transitioning to cloud hosting to make sure their data is secure. Cloud hosting ensures that your data is stored, backed up, and protected on a daily basis with an added layer of security. Equipped with this knowledge of the potential security risks of hosting on a cloud-based system, your organisation can join a new wave of secure cloud users.
If your company requires a secure cloud system to be implemented, Westlake IT’s approach to cloud hosting is to combine business acumen with technical expertise. Our cloud migration projects are professionally managed from Initiation, through Planning and Execution. If you are considering migrating to the cloud, get in touch with our team today for a free consultation.
