Why Cloud Computing Is More Secure
Cloud computing is considered to be the next major advancement in the technology world. However, there still tends to be a layer of mystery and confusion regarding cloud computing and its security.
What is Cloud Computing?
Simply put, cloud computing is the concept of hosting servers, applications and services offsite at a remote location. Most people are already “in the cloud,” even though they do not realize it. For example, if you have ever uploaded photos to Facebook or any other photo hosting site, you have successfully utilized cloud computing. When you upload the photos, they still reside in their original location, but they are also stored on the servers at Facebook, Flickr or the photo hosting site of your choice. Once your photo is uploaded, it is then accessible from any computer with an internet connection that can access that site. This is the most basic, and most popular, form of cloud computing.
Cloud Computing Security
While the technology involved is fairly straightforward, many individuals and industry experts have raised an eyebrow at the potential for security issues arising from the use of cloud computing. Fortunately, this is an unfounded worry, and the security offered by cloud computing often far surpasses the levels of security available to most individuals and businesses. Unlike a traditional, in-house solution, cloud computing offers many levels of advanced security controls that are typically too expensive or complex for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses to utilize.
Secured High-Tech Datacenters
The first level of security that cloud computing offers is the ability to make storing data in highly secured high-tech datacenters accessible to individuals and businesses of all sizes. With cloud computing, end users no longer have to shell out big bucks to create a secure environment to house their servers or applications. The hosting companies that run cloud-based services provide this level of security for their clients. The data centers used for cloud computing offer several key security benefits that are typically out of reach to the vast majority of end users, including:
• Secure locations that utilize stringent levels of physical security
• 24/7 professional staff that monitor and maintain the location
• Server room environments carefully monitored for heat and other environmental variables
• Buildings specifically designed to house high-tech networking equipment utilizing fire suppression units that do not spray water on equipment
The secured datacenters used by hosting companies are able to combine high-tech security with the latest and greatest in server room environment controls. This creates an environment that makes theft of equipment nearly impossible while providing the best protection against fire and heat available.
Professional Security Patching & Updates
Another key security advantage of cloud computing is the way security patching and updates are handled by the hosting companies. Each month, Microsoft and other vendors release numerous important patches and updates that need to be applied to servers. As a result, a business that hosts their own application or data servers onsite battles a seemingly endless barrage of security patches. Often, this activity alone will tie up IT resources and result in expensive server downtime. Due to the way patches affect operating systems and applications, many smaller businesses are forced to pay high-cost consultants to handle this activity, so they can remain secure.
Cloud computing can take this persistent headache out of the picture. With many cloud-based solutions, the hosting company will maintain responsibility of keeping the servers and applications they manage fully patched. The patching and updates are performed by skilled IT professionals at the hosting company. This results in applications and servers being more secure, and it takes this overwhelming responsibility out of the hands of individuals and businesses.
Cloud Computing: Not a Security Lightweight
These benefits alone offer greater levels of security than many businesses and individuals have access to on their own. This combination of highly secured locations and professionally maintained machines creates an environment that greatly lowers the amount of risk incurred while providing high levels of availability and accessibility to vital data, applications and servers. Cloud computing might be relatively new to the limelight, but it is no security lightweight.
