No Data Too Big Or Sensitive For The Cloud - Security and the Cloud

Private Cloud and Public Cloud

Since its inception and ensuing rapid acceptance by data-driven companies as well as individual users, cloud services for data recovery needs and storage of discriminatory information has proven to be a practical and versatile alternative to less dependable data storage devices. The quickness and ease with which data can be accessed through the cloud has completely replaced hard drive storage methods that meant users had to boot up their computer, load special software (a memory stick, for example) and hopefully, pull up the data they needed.

In addition to advanced benefits of cloud-kept data, cloud storage capability has minimal restrictions regarding the amount of data placed in remote servers. Moreover, with encryption technology available to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive data, government, hospital and other organizations responsible for safeguarding immense amounts of compelling information can now depend on cloud services for depositing unique data for future utilization.

Security and the Cloud

Early cloud services experienced problems in keeping data free from security breaches or loss of integrity. However, these "holes" were quickly detected, repaired and re-developed to prevent additional breach events from occurring. Due to cloud services now offering cutting-edge technology that integrates applications specifically designed to protect sensitive information from escaping through less than optimal server apertures, organizations and multinational companies are depending more heavily on the efficacy of cloud storage.

How Cloud Services Contain, Protect and Defend Sensitive Information

Data encryption--encoding information placed in the cloud allows only authorized personnel to read this "encrypted" information. Although hackers may be able to access the data, they will not be able to read it. Information encrypted using an algorithm that incorporates encryption keys is called "ciphertext". Classified encrypted data stored in a cloud can only be decoded by people who have access to a secret decryption key. Encryption services provided by cloud providers include key-generated algorithms capable of producing random lists or a series of keys that are impossible to decode.

Increasing redundancy of cloud infrastructure--redundancy provides the security of knowing that any problems affecting a cloud service's infrastructure will not affect the integrity or accessibility of important information. Nearly all cloud providers now safeguard stored information by operating autonomous and geographically remote data facilities to ensure clients have uninterrupted access to their data. Users can also specify virtual server locations and create environments that are fully protected from internal and external failures

Establishing firewalls to block threats to applications--cloud providers do not need to employ additional hardware when users protect their information with firewalls. Probes, worms/viruses, denial of service invasions and remote command executions can all be stopped when firewalls are correctly installed and implemented.

Even when minimal security measures are taken with data sent to a cloud server, the ability to securely deposit centralized data for later access by authorized entities is greater with cloud technology than traditional systems of saving and storing information. Moreover, providers can commit their time and resources to continuously solving issues with security and accessibility, while users reap the benefits without worrying about overhead expenditures and costly maintenance of on-site computers.

Matt Smith is a Dell employee who writes to help raise awareness on the topic of Dell Cloud Technology Solutions and other network management subjects.