7 Popular Myths About Cloud Security

Cloud security is one of the best developments for large-scale organizations and networks. These organizations are always looking for more agile and efficient solutions to store and secure their data. However, conventional IT security methods require considerable investment and technical expertise. Companies need to install strong networks and security protocols to protect their data. Just relying on internet connections like Cox internet can be enough when you have cloud security plans in place.

Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and less infrastructure-intensive alternative. Cloud security is a viable solution and has rapidly gained popularity with companies of all sizes. It has a load of benefits and does not require extensive physical infrastructure. However, companies often find it challenging to incorporate cloud security in their operations. This is because there are a lot of myths around technology. Most of these are simple misconceptions and need to be clarified. Here are a few of the most prevalent myths.

Cloud Security Costs More Than Conventional IT Security

The transition to cloud security requires a number of basic infrastructure changes. Key IT activities need to be replaced, and cloud providers paid. In addition, old systems need to be phased out.

All of this does require a few upfront costs, but in the long run, is less expensive. In fact, maintaining and running conventional IT security protocols, and paying experts to manage them, can actually cost much more. Therefore, the misbelief that cloud security is expensive can clearly be debunked.

In-house Data Is More Secure Than Cloud Security

Many companies feel that they can protect their own data themselves more efficiently than with cloud security. However, even the strongest security protocols are vulnerable to attackers and malware. Too often, a simple human error such as opening a phishing link can expose a business’s data all over the internet.

While cloud security may seem more ephemeral, its providers are constantly updating its safeguards. Furthermore, there is a lot of encryption and obfuscation involved, so it becomes more difficult for malicious parties to exploit data protected with cloud security. The providers also protect the infrastructure itself, along with all the data storage and other resources in the network.

Cloud Security Eliminates The Need For Infrastructure Management

As cloud security is most often provided along with the Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) model, many companies feel that they can stop their own infrastructure management. While they can save a lot on security management, they still need to pay attention to their infrastructure.

Cloud security is not a complete replacement for infrastructure management. You still need to allocate resources for the day-to-day infrastructural maintenance processes. While you’ll need significantly fewer resources, infrastructure management is still important.

Moving To Cloud Requires Lift And Shift Or Refactor Strategy

Companies believe that shifting to cloud security requires an either/or strategy. That is, either they have to just lift and copy their data to the cloud or completely refactor it to take advantage of the benefits cloud security has to offer.

However, the truth is that it’d be much better to use a combination of the two strategies. You should identify which data requires sturdier protection, and which will be okay with just a lift and shift strategy. Going for just one won’t really make sense for all the different types of data a company has to secure.

The Cloud Is More Vulnerable To Breaches

Some people believe that the cloud is more vulnerable to security breaches because of its inherently ephemeral nature. They feel that having their own physical, on-site storage makes things much safer. However, there is not much of a security difference between the two.

Cloud security involves a large number of measures and protocols which keep data safe. In addition, encryption, obfuscation, blockchain, and other methods prevent malicious parties from breaching the cloud. Furthermore, cloud providers are dedicated to protecting client data, so work around the clock to ensure no breaches occur. Therefore, they constantly update their protocols and add security patches to protect data.

Cloud Security Is Hard To Maintain

Another common myth is that cloud security is hard to maintain. Companies might find themselves confused about how to keep up with the latest in cloud technology. However, cloud providers do most of this foundational work. All organizations have to do is assign accesses and add data from the relevant resources.

Furthermore, maintaining conventional IT security systems requires constant in-house maintenance. With cloud security, you can allocate the tedious tasks to your cloud provider, and focus on expanding your business. This is because cloud security maintenance is usually not your major task, and is handled well by the providers.

Cloud Security Is Only The Cloud Provider’s Responsibility

Leading on from the last point, while cloud providers do a lot of the work, you also need to be responsible for some aspects of cloud security. This is particularly applicable when you’re having your employees use the system. Most of the time, security breaches occur due to some sort of employee error.

Make sure your staff is trained on how to get the best out of cloud security and how to keep it safe. In addition, only give cloud access to the relevant employees, and have them change their access passwords regularly.

To sum up, there are a lot of myths around cloud security. Once companies feel clearer about the whole thing, it is a great option.