Keeping company data secure is a topic that occupies the minds of many a business owner. Not only is Security desirable from a business point of view, it’s compulsory in the eyes of the law.

When you lock sensitive company information down in on-premise servers, it can give a comforting peace of mind because you know exactly where the data is and what measures are in place to protect it.

Can the same be said for data in the cloud? While your own servers are your Private Cloud, what happens when you trust a public cloud? The public cloud is possibly an unfortunate name because it implies that anyone can come along and take a peek at what you’re doing. Worse, they can help themselves to your valuable, sensitive data if they’re so inclined.

Or so the perception implies.

But is it true? Here are some of the main things you should be aware of when considering cloud security.

Public Cloud or Private? Which is most secure?

The quick answer is that both can offer good security. In many circumstances, however, public clouds offer greater security than private ones because:

• On both the physical and cyber-security fronts, some private data centres have weaker security defences. This could rise from a cost issue, since multi-layered protection of both the physical and the encryption kind is expensive.
• Public cloud providers like Microsoft provide robust compliance certifications for data security. And, by the way, you can use these certifications in your own compliance assessments. Although you still require an individual evaluation, it removes some of the responsibility burden.
• Optimum disaster recovery comes from not having all data in the same place.

Security Benefits of the Cloud for Small Businesses

Maintaining a private cloud is expensive and could take up physical space you could use more profitably or productively. Cloud solutions level the playing field for small businesses that don’t have either the physical space or the manpower to install and maintain their own severs.

Maintaining security in-house is hard work given the never-ending threats out there. The weakest point in any system will always compromise the strongest, and this includes the threats that come from within. Team up with the right cloud services provider, and you have none of those worries.

Another major advantage is the scalability offered by cloud business solutions. If you don’t need resources, there’s no need to install them just in case. You get what you need, when you need it, and for how long. Predictable costs and reliable services make for much easier budgeting.

The big caveat with public cloud providers is to be extremely picky when choosing your provider. Understand your own unique needs and if, like many, you find it a challenge to be sure you’re getting the best solution available, get some expert advice. Dean Spencer, Eitex MD, comments, “Eitex is a Teir-1 Microsoft Partner, but we recognise not all businesses can or want to go totally cloud-based. We also offer hybrid and on-premise solutions where they’re appropriate.”

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