3 aspects that determine the security of your data in the cloud

The use of cloud services by small businesses and global corporations is rapidly becoming the norm – for example, Acronis recorded 151% year-over-year growth in enterprise customers of its cloud services. In addition to flexibility and convenience, moving to the cloud can save on IT infrastructure, staff and utilities, but above all, companies use cloud backup to secure all systems and data off-site, where they are isolated from causes of data loss such as hardware failures or natural disasters.

 

1. Encryption strength

When backing up data to the cloud, information is protected against unauthorized access and use by encryption. Encryption uses an algorithm to convert your data into a unique format that can only be converted back to its original form using a unique private key.

However, data protection must always start with you – data security must be ensured at the source on your computer and during transfer to the cloud if it is to remain secure in the cloud itself.

Acronis primarily uses the Advanced Encryption Standard-256 (AES-256) algorithm. The number 256 in the name means that the encryption key is 256 bits long (other variants are AES 128 and 192-bit). AES-256 is the highest level of encryption, providing a good balance between secure and fast cryptography, but users can choose from multiple encryption protocols. Data is naturally encrypted at the source, in transit, and while stored in the cloud.

 

2. Channel security

To authenticate communication with the correct counterparty, ensuring that even encrypted data is not sent to someone else, SSL Certificates (Secure Sockets Layer) are used. They create an encrypted connection between a website and the user's web browser and ensure that confidential data is sent through a secure channel.

Acronis uses 2048-bit SSL encryption (one of the strongest) to protect data during transmission over the channel, convincingly dispelling any concerns about file security during transfer.

 

3. Data center certification

The third decisive aspect of cloud service security is the protection of the data centers where your data will be stored. Special attention should be paid to protection against power outages.

Acronis secures its data centers comprehensively and from the ground up. There are high fences, a camera system, and security personnel present 24/7/365. To access the premises, personnel must undergo biometric scanning and present a contactless ID card. Of course, that is not all… Acronis data centers can boast numerous certifications for meeting security standards and the corresponding security protocols, including:

1. › Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and backup generators to ensure uninterrupted operation for 48 hours following an unexpected outage.
2. › All Acronis data centers are designed from the ground up to ensure the maximum level of availability required for Tier IV certification. Critically important infrastructure is protected by 2N+ redundancy and has 24/7 on-call support for maintenance needs. Annual downtime is therefore only 26.3 minutes.
3. › SSAE-16 certification. Accredited by the Auditing Standards Board (ASB) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), this audit guarantees that Acronis meets the highest regulatory standards in the financial and healthcare industries.

 

Food for thought

You can never be too careful with data protection, and backup is an essential first step. But if you create backups from a compromised drive, what is the point of starting at all?

Companies should place greater emphasis on reviewing the security of cloud backup providers. A simple way to do this is to compare the trusted certifications and data protection technologies they deploy.

Avoiding crises is easier when you can rely on your cloud partner.

 

Source: https://www.acronis.cz/3-aspekty-rozhodujici-o-bezpecnosti-vasich-dat-v-cloudu/