Companies have large amounts of information that are critical to their operations and are inherently vulnerable to attacks. For this reason, it is a priority for companies to have a place where they can safely store their data, and at the same time make it available to all workers who need to consult it.
There are two main ways of storing information: the first is hosting it on a protected server in the company’s premises; Another is the transfer of information to the cloud, an alternative that allows access via the Internet from anywhere in the world.
Previously, a local server was used because of the advantage of providing direct control over information. But control does not equal security, and every time companies realize this, they decide to migrate to the cloud.
The growing boom in cyberattacks has put the security of servers, both on-premises and in the cloud, to the test; As a result, managers are increasingly evaluating privacy and security protocols. As a result, global spending on information security will exceed $114,000 million in 2018, up 12.4% year-over-year, according to a report published by Gartner.
Loss of confidential data, breach of controls or malware infection are some of the constant threats to servers, whether they are physical or remote servers. The question is: What is the most suitable solution?
Computer security firm Alert Logic notes that in 2017, the cloud faced less malicious activity than on-premises servers. User companies confirm: although many do not trust the cloud because data is stored on several servers on the Internet, the cloud is the best alternative for securing information. In fact, people are already using cloud computing tools without realizing it, such as Gmail, Google Drive, One Drive, and Instagram, among others.
Why is the cloud more secure than local servers?
- Backups are automatically created in the cloud and are always up-to-date. Being online also allows us to have the latest versions in terms of computer security in the event of a malware threat. In contrast, local servers must be updated manually. These are devices that should be configured and maintained by experts.
- Local servers are more vulnerable than the cloud. Rooms are physical devices that are sensitive to changes in the environment and technical failures such as overheating, errors or system damage. A local server crash can take hours to resolve, and the chances of data loss are high. On the contrary, if one of the cloud servers fails, the information is automatically replicated to another server without affecting data availability.
- Cloud service providers are dedicated exclusively to data protection. The server’s network security options include advanced tools such as data encryption, two-factor or multi-factor user identity authentication, security patches, intrusion monitoring, artificial intelligence, firewall, antivirus, and 24/7 continuous monitoring. To be able to use these advantages in physical servers, a lot of investment is required. Despite this, the threat cannot be identified faster than a cloud server.
- Computers, external hard drives, and USB storage devices are less secure devices than cloud backup systems. Cloud offers the possibility to work from anywhere, from any device, whenever you want and without compromising the company. You just need to have internet access and hire the best cloud computing service provider. You don’t have to worry about equipment damage or server maintenance.
- In the event of natural disasters, the cloud ensures access to information because it is stored in data centers in multiple countries, unlike local servers that are prone to overload in emergencies and where information is harder to find.
- Cloud can prove its high security standards through ISO certification and its standards 27001, 27017 and 27018, which oblige the provider to guarantee the integrity of user data. As if that wasn’t enough, using network servers reduces the human errors that usually occur in an on-premise mode of operation.
If you still have doubts about the security of the cloud, encrypt the data in the solution. “Local encryption eliminates the need to trust the provider because only the user will be able to decrypt the files. A cloud storage service provider only sees unusable garbage,” says Joachim Heng, CEO of Steganos Software, a German IT security company.
No server is immune to cyber threats, but businesses are increasingly relying on remote technology for the many benefits it offers. While others work hard on security, companies can focus on growing their business and positioning themselves for success.
Remember:
- Cloud creates backups that are automatically created and always up to date. It also provides access to information on local issues.
- The most flexible cloud that allows its users to work from anywhere, from any device, whenever they want, without jeopardizing business.
- With the remote server option, the company reduces the costs associated with server maintenance.
- A local server is more likely to fail than a remote server.
- Currently, more and more companies rely on remote technology (cloud) because it offers greater advantages than a local server. Nevertheless, it is important to note that no server is immune to cyber threats.
