The Top 3 Cloud Computing Threats and How to Avoid Them

According to recent research conducted by the Cloud Industry Forum, 88% of companies have now adopted some form of cloud computing and it’s easy to see why so many businesses have taken the plunge.

In many ways, the increase in use of cloud computing has been a wonderful thing. The many benefits of moving to the cloud have been well documented; from flexibility and convenience to reduced downtime and huge cost savings.

But, as is often the way with the good stuff in life, there are downsides too. The explosive growth of cloud computing has opened the door to cyber attackers using a range of dirty tricks to infect your systems with malware.

Watch this video to find out how malware in the cloud can cost your business dearly in lost time and money…

What can you do to protect yourself?

Avoiding malware in the cloud requires constant vigilance and the ability to fight off potential attackers before they get the chance to cause havoc. Educating your staff properly about what to look out for can keep even the most ruthless attackers locked out.

Here are the 3 most common threats we come across and our tips on how to avoid them:

Cyber Attackers & Malware

One of cyber-attackers favourite ways in is through malware; a malicious form of software with the power to spread through computer systems like a forest fire. Malicious hackers will happily exploit people’s trust in apps, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to spread their viruses. The really scary thing is that malware can go unnoticed for months and productivity will be compromised dramatically as the virus will need to be confined. In order to reduce the risk you need to make sure you have powerful cyber security products and bullet proof anti-malware protection. Consider the Cyber Essentials accreditation for your business to help you protect your company from cybercrime.

You can make sure your staff are fully aware of the threats caused by both incoming and outgoing emails by reading our free guide ‘5 Steps to Better Email Security’

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

One of the great benefits of cloud computing is having a more connected workforce. Allowing employees to access their work documents on their own devices, known as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), is brilliant for productivity and cost savings. But what happens if they are lost or stolen, with all your company data on them and access to your cloud?

Make sure you have a fool proof BYOD policy featuring clear guidelines your staff must meet if they want to use their personal devices at work. For instance: Agree to full-disk encryption of the device; regular inspections by the IT staff to ensure all devices have the approved and up-to-date patches, applications and anti-virus software; maintain secure passwords and pin numbers; only use authorised apps and software.

Employees Leaving the Company

You want to be as flexible, functional and efficient as possible and adapt to market conditions faster, so when employing new staff you add subscriptions for your cloud services. But what if a member of staff leaves or you dismiss someone? Data leaks from ex-employees are one the most common threats to business security.

A formal exit procedure and policy is a must. The person responsible for the employee concerned should immediately advise the IT department – internal or external – of the imminent departure so they can ensure their IT account is disabled and all company data, documents, apps and cloud subscriptions are removed or cancelled before the employee leaves your company.

For any real chance of staying safe in the cloud you’re going to need to work with a trusted security professional who has both deep knowledge and experience in how to maintain the proper level of security across cloud based networks.

At Dragon IS we take care of all the behind the scenes work to save you the time and trouble if anything does go wrong, get in touch today.