If you are seriously thinking of leasing cloud space then do not jump at the cheapest offering or the one that gives you the biggest free storage. You need to consider many things when you choose a provider. Foremost among these matters would be the privacy and security of your data when you use cloud drive online storage, and
this is highly recommended if you network with computers located outside your physical office.
Questions to Settle Before Storing in the Cloud
1. Is your data encrypted as it travels to and from storage?
You need to make sure that your application or browser puts you through an encrypted connection before you upload and download data. You will know that this is the case if beside the URL in your browser you see "https://" or a padlock.
2. Is your data encrypted while it is in storage?
Carefully read the terms being offered and find out if data is encrypted while in storage. Even while data is stored in a cloud drive, encryption is important to ensure no one (even people with high-level access to the server) can read your files in storage. An IPVPN Service can help you with encryption especially if you are connected to computers that are geographically dispersed.
If you have medical information, financial information, or personal identity data in your files then it would be wisest to make sure the provider guarantees that everything is encrypted and only you or your organization can decrypt it.
How adequate and appropriate are their security standards?
Find out from reviews and blogs if the companies you are choosing from have solid reputations and good policies on security and privacy more so when handling
big data.
1. Who has rights over the data in storage?
Go over the fine print in agreements and make sure there is nothing that hints at shared ownership of data stored with them. While the word ownership may not be directly mentioned, there may be phrases that allow the provider to access your data.
2. How does shared access operate in their service agreement?
If you go for a service that lets you share access to your folders with other users, be sure you know the mechanics of how this takes place. Can others edit or just read? Will you always know who last edited a file? Can files be made public? Are personal details such as name, email, account attached with the file?
Make sure you know what remedies they can offer or if
big data analytics is part of their offerings. If they have no options for these dire possibilities, you should at least know so you can make your own contingency plans.
Your Part in Securing Your Data
Once you have chosen your server, your cloud drive online security becomes partly your responsibility. Here are some ways you can protect your data:
• Create a strong password.
It should be 8 to 10 characters long and should be a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols in upper and lower case. Forget about the name of your pet or your birthday - these are extremely easy to hack.
• Change your passwords regularly and do not reuse them.
Do not keep your passwords for months and do not use passwords from other accounts for your cloud drive. Remember, whoever is able to figure out your password can also change your password and make your cloud float away. Scary thought, isn't it?
