7 Tips for Ensuring Secure Cloud Storage

According to Vormetric, 85% of enterprises are using secure cloud storage to store their data. And 70% of them have concerns about cloud storage security risks.

So, you’re definitely not alone in wanting to protect your online data from breaches. Sometimes, it might seem like the security risks aren’t worth it. And it might seem like regular hard drives are still the way to go when storing and backing up your data.

But the risks of using a hard drive to back up your files are substantial. If someone steals the hard drive, if there’s a fire or it accidentally breaks, all your files are gone. That’s definitely not ideal! By using cloud storage, your files aren’t going anywhere. And you can easily share and collaborate with your colleagues and friends.

But you’re still potentially leaving sensitive information accessible to hackers by using cloud storage. So, what can you do to stop that from happening?

Luckily there are plenty of methods to keep your online information safe. This is a breakdown of some of the best things you can do to achieve secure cloud storage no matter which provider you’re with.

1. Protect Your Devices

Some people assume that if their cloud data is breached, it will be at the hands of genius hackers sitting in dark rooms writing lines and lines of code.

And while there may be some truth to that, you’re just as likely to have your online information stolen straight from your device.

Because even the most secure cloud storage app can’t perform miracles if your laptop is stolen while you’re signed in to your account. But there are definitely ways to make your devices safer in the event of theft.

Strong Passwords

Most social media, email, and app accounts require a certain number and variety of characters when creating a new password. However, you should go much further.

Your passwords should be incredibly long (12+ characters) with a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters that have little to no meaning. And you should never reuse any password or a close variation of an existing password.

There are password managers and browser extensions available, so you don’t have to remember them all.

Two-Factor Authentication

A lot of apps offer, or insist, on two-factor authentication (or 2FA). And for any app that holds sensitive information (like your cloud storage), you should definitely utilize it.

There are lots of different two-factor authentication methods out there, like an automated voice call or sending a link in an email for you to click on. The most common is a unique code sent to your phone.

So even if a thief knows your password and is trying to access your secure cloud storage from your laptop, they would also require your phone to access this unique code to log in to your cloud storage.

2. Remove Old Devices From Your Account

Nowadays, most cloud storage providers let you log into your account from different devices and will list connected devices in your account. Usually, this information is available in Settings or Account.

Make sure your cloud account is only connected to devices you are currently, actively using.

This is especially vital if you use your secure cloud storage for business. Companies usually upgrade and repurpose their devices for other colleagues and you cannot guarantee that your IT department will wipe them every time.

And you must sign out of your secure cloud storage account before you uninstall the app. If the next person who uses your old device also uses that cloud storage, they may reinstall the app and still be logged into your account.

3. Enable Account Recovery Methods

If someone were to swipe your phone out of your bag or from your desk right now, do you know what steps you’d take next to protect your information?

It’s not a nice thought, but it’s a situation you should prepare for.

Review your account recovery methods in your account settings. It depends which cloud storage you’re with, but make sure you have a selection of the following set up:

• Security questions that are not easy to guess through social media
• Secondary email address
• Ability to remove devices should one be stolen/hacked
• Ability to locate your device in the event it’s stolen

Keep your chosen recovery methods as private and secure as your login username and password. Even the cheapest cloud storage will offer at least one or two of these account recovery methods if the worst were to happen.

Having a plan in place in the event your devices are stolen will definitely lessen the pain of losing your phone or laptop!

4. Check Your Shared and Connected Accounts

Especially if you use your cloud storage for work purposes, you may have many folders in your cloud storage account shared with other people. And certain apps, like your contacts or calendar, might also be synced with your storage.

It’s important to keep on top of which apps and other accounts have access to your information, as they’re all potential security risks.

Shared Folders

It’s so easily done. You’re collaborating on a project and a colleague asks you to share a folder with them, and you do it. Then, time passes, you complete the project, and you start using that folder for a different project and share it with another colleague.

But the original colleague still has access to the information in that folder!

Even if you trust the colleague, can you trust that their cloud storage security practices are as good as yours? Hackers might not be able to gain access to your well-protected account, but they might through a collaborator’s account.

Connected Programs

App integration makes it so easy to use the same programs on different devices and have all the information we need in the right places. For example, when we arrange a meeting via Gmail, it can be helpful when that meeting pops up in our Google calendar.

But the more apps you have connected to your online cloud storage, the less secure it is. So, just be mindful that those apps are ones you still use and are constantly updated by their developers to minimize potential hacks.

You don’t want to sacrifice a smooth workflow if you trust those apps and they are helpful, but it’s worth regularly checking your account settings for third-party apps.

5. Set up Account Alerts

This is such a simple, yet necessary, way you can ensure you have secure cloud storage. It’s probably already set up in your account, but it doesn’t hurt to check.

Whenever there is a log in to your account from a new and unrecognized device, set up an alert to your email address. So, if someone manages to get hold of your password and logs into your cloud storage, you can at least be aware of the breach happening so you can take measures to stop it.

6. Empty Your Recycle Bin Regularly

If you have particularly sensitive information, you don’t want any trace of that left in your online cloud storage. Especially with security camera cloud storage, you want to keep any harmful information to a minimum.

As with most computer file systems, if you delete a file in your cloud storage, there will be a “bin” function that keeps the file for 30 days in case you change your mind and want to restore it.

But if you’re absolutely certain you want to delete a file, make sure you source that file in your cloud storage bin to permanently remove it. That way, even if your account gets hacked you know exactly what they will have access to.

7. Sign Out of Your Accounts

One of the things you need to weigh up against the importance of secure cloud storage is a smooth workflow, accessibility, and usability. We live in an age of convenience and most people would prefer to stay signed into their accounts.

However, we’re so used to staying signed in that even on shared devices we forget to log out. So, the next person who uses that device will have access to your information.

And because we rarely sign out of our app accounts, often the “sign out” button isn’t so clear and is hidden in the Settings menu. If you’re regularly using a shared device, make it a habit to sign out whenever you leave that device unattended.

Protect Your Files With Secure Cloud Storage

Though you can never be 100% covered from an attack, the pros of using cloud storage definitely outweigh the cons. Even if you only use a handful of these tips, you’ll have definitely decreased your risk of security issues and have secure cloud storage.

If you need more information on cloud storage or have other tech-related questions, check out the rest of our articles for more expert advice!