The modern digital world that we are living in, criticality of data security can’t be emphasized enough. People as well as businesses constantly require the trust and faith that their personal and confidential data along with intellectual property is always secured. And the job is becoming exceedingly tough in an environment which is constantly threatened by series of cyberattacks. With cloud hosting becoming a new norm, several are embracing this new technology for data management. But one question is always out there: is cloud hosting really secure?
Spoiler Alert! Cloud hosting is completely secure. However, before we dive into technicalities, let’s take a look at the basics of cloud hosting.
What is Cloud Hosting?
Cloud hosting involves utilization of cloud resources and making websites and applications easily accessible. Unlike conventional hosting methods, apps or websites aren’t deployed on a specific, physical server. In cloud hosting, there is a connected network of physical and virtual cloud servers hosting the website or application, further ensuring enhanced scalability and flexibility.
Key Characteristics of Cloud Hosting:
- Different solutions and applications are deployed on a virtual cloud network instead on an on-site, physical, single server.
- Resources can be easily scaled according to users’ requirements.
- Enterprises only pay for resources they are utilizing.
- Hosted apps and websites are automated and easily controlled by web portals, APIs, and mobile apps.
Why Cloud Hosting?
Though there are many reasons driving enterprises to shift toward cloud hosting, some of them really stand out.
- Flexibility: With conventional hosting services, there is only limited bandwidth available. Here lies the difference in cloud hosting as it can be easily scaled to accommodate seasonal requirements or sudden website traffic spikes.
- Pay-as-you-go Model: Unlike traditional hosting models, users only have to pay for the resources they are using on an hourly or monthly basis. This pay-as-you-go setup is a refreshing change from the packaged and flat prices of traditional hosting.
- Reliability: There is no downtime due to hardware failures as apps and websites are hosted on a network of virtual servers. Traffic moves across different network interfaces which is segregated and completely secure.
What Does Security Means in Cloud Hosting?
Whenever there is a discussion about cloud hosting services and cloud hosting security, the hesitation lies in the change of technology, not the technology as such. Compared to the traditional server ecosystem where websites’ and apps’ files are stored in a specific physical server, these files are distributed and stored in different virtual server sites which are connected with physical servers.
In the context of data security, cloud hosting is way ahead of the traditional hosting, thanks to its additional security layers. Initially, there are physical security measures to secure the physical data center from being harmed, hacked, or compromised with. The next level includes the security layer on the physical server. The final layer in cloud hosting is where the virtual network being protected and isolated from the cloud hosting environment.
How to Increase Security in Windows/Linux Cloud?
Whether its Windows or Linux cloud, there are some basic tips that can help in increasing and strengthening data security.
- Only install the packages that your business operations actually need to protect server’s functionality. Higher the number of installed packages, especially from third-parties, more vulnerabilities you are introducing in the system. Keep the number of installed packages to a bare minimum and periodically uninstall ones that are no longer required.
- In Linux servers, there are distributions including a ‘superuser’ known as ‘root’, having higher administrative permissions. Keeping the root login all the time can pose a security risk and reduces the safety barriers of resources stored on the cloud as hackers can exploit these credentials. For a robust server security, it is essential to disable this root login.
- 2FA or Two Factor Authentication greatly enhances user access security by laying down the condition of two steps: the initial one being password and the second one a token before the user can access the server. In conjunction with SSH or Secure Shell, 2FA can be utilized to implement the requirement of an additional credential while logging in the server. SSH is a protocol used to create text-base, encrypted connection to the remote server. Together, they can make the server resistant to almost all kind of unauthorized attempts to login.
- Good password hygiene isn’t just important to users logging into SaaS applications or personal devices but also for servers. Server administrators also need to ensure that all users are using strong passwords, with the minimum cryptographic strength, and following regular password change process to make servers resistant to attacks.
How Managed Service Providers Help in the Cloud Hosting Security?
Not many know this but more than half of small businesses go bankrupt within six months of a cyberattack. These are frightening and would make anyone think of making data security of their enterprise a priority. But with core operations taking up the major chunk of time, it is often advisable to outsource such tasks to MSPs like WIPL. MSPs like WIPL utilize their expertise to
- Identify the security status with a rigorous network scan;
- Identify loopholes in security by conducting penetration tests;
- Provide recommendations to cover these security loopholes;
- Deploy necessary solutions to ensure enterprise data is secured in every way.
And that’s not all! MSP can help you with security compliances, register complaints with regulatory agencies, and assist you in damage control, in case of any attack. By partnering with MSP like WIPL, you don’t have to worry about hosting issues or data security anymore!
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