We know perfectly well what benefits the cloud gives us and how convenient it is to store files in the online data space. From anywhere in the world, thanks to a device connected to the network, we can view our files, photos or videos and edit them in the appropriate programs or send them to friends or colleagues. Not only that, thanks to the cloud we can create and edit documents even without the appropriate software installed on our computer, smartphone or tablet. Is the cloud secure?
What does it mean that they are “in the cloud”?
So if we can use the cloud, we know how to do it and what we will gain, why do we not wonder how this cloud actually works? Why do we rarely ask where our data really is and are it really secure? The cloud has accustomed us to comfort, and its suppliers, who are also often suppliers of hardware and software that we use – such as Microsoft, Apple or Google – taught us that it is not worth asking too many questions. It is important for us that the cloud is and works, and how much it costs and what professional features, which half of us in life will not use, offer. Sometimes, however, the cloud is bad, it turns out that on our disk in the network save their photos unknown to us, and our calendar synchronizes with their calendars and we can not help it. Not only that, if the supplier has no consideration for our comments, emails and complaints – bad blood may flood us. Maybe knowledge of how the cloud works will not help us in negotiations with the service provider who is not able to fulfill the support of his own solutions, but at least we will know how secure all this cloud computing is.
Burglaries are still few
Cloud data resources actually reside on well-known hard drives – not those that work hard on our PCs, but those that belong to specialized companies that maintain and manage large data centers. The largest clouds, such as Facebook’s photo resources, are not stuck in one place, but they move between different machines, which is of great importance for the optimization of computers.
We receive “our” data from there via the Internet, which is a fairly obvious risk factor. The data in the vast databases are, however – and there is no doubt about it – usually much more secure than those in private or company computers. Problems begin when they must leave these safe strongholds.
Improving cloud protection methods
The cloud requires a different approach to security. Certainly, the habits and security methods used in traditional data centers (on-premise) will not work for information stored and processed in the cloud – Gartner analysts have no doubt. Cloud service providers must seek better and more efficient means to protect their infrastructure and services provided through cloud platforms, and to prevent vulnerabilities and compliance issues. Replacing human interactions with machine learning technologies and artificial intelligence is one way to bridge loopholes and prevent cloud intrusions.
