Data losses caused as a result of data breaches are no less than a nightmare for any organization. The loss of critical data can have severe and direct implications on key business operations and damaged the reputation in the industry. Hence, it is now becoming mandatory for the Hybrid Cloud systems to secure the data present in them to avoid all these.
Protecting the Data
A Hybrid Cloud refers to the mix of both Public and Private Cloud. Any Hybrid Cloud hosting is known to deliver a Public Cloud’s scalability while ensuring Private Cloud security. Despite robust security mechanisms in place, there are often instances when Hybrid Cloud security has been compromised.
However, by complying with the following tips, one can protect the Hybrid Cloud data from getting breached-
- Strong Physical Security Mechanisms
One of the key areas in ensuring data protection of Cloud-based data is physical security. Physical security mechanisms mean assuring that the data is never lost due to any power outages, unforeseen natural disasters, accidents, or even thefts and losses. To avoid any physical damages or outages, the Data Center facility must be located from other buildings and backed with multiple power supplies. The Data Center infrastructures also have backup communication mechanisms and secure physical security practices in place. The magnitude of physical security in a Data Center is much higher, so businesses tend to prefer a smaller Data Center present on their own premises. Apart from human errors, Cloud Service Providers remotely store backup data at other Data Center locations in case a Data Center has been struck by an unforeseen natural disaster. Strong data redundancy mechanism used by the Cloud Service Providers ensures data remains continuously available with users’ near-zero downtime
- Avoiding Device Failure, Human Errors& Malware-Based Corruptions
There are three most common reasons for data losses in a Hybrid Cloud. These include- failure of devices, errors introduced by humans, and corruption due to malware. One of the key advantages of using Hybrid Cloud Computing is that it is scattered across several systems managed by the Cloud Service Provider. If there is a failure in the hard drive, then a backup is immediately initiated, assuring data availability to the end-users. Also, for delivering enhanced data protection, with Hybrid Cloud, it is possible to set the storage manually. Data is not erased, ensuring the data present on the Cloud are always available for faster recovery
- Disaster Recovery Strategies
Any business today must have a disaster recovery strategy in place so that it can bounce back at the earliest during any foreseen disaster events. Usually, in other forms of Cloud Computing, there are two different forms of storage systems in place, one meant for physical storage and the other one designed for backup and recovery. However, with Hybrid Cloud, there is absolutely no need for such bifurcation. An added advantage includes the storage architecture present in the Hybrid Cloud keeps all the data at single storage, avoiding multiple copies of the same data being stored across different servers. With the information not being stored on various servers, there is a significant amount of cost savings in terms of storage. It also helps in overcoming problems related to keeping different versions of the same file at other locations. The Hybrid Cloud storage mechanism can be used with versioning, allowing users to access the previous versions of the data whenever needed easily
- Assuring Security During Data Breaches & Leaks
Data breaches result in heavy fines and penalties that breached or compromised organizations need to pay. Today, any organization’s weakness lies in Data Breaches, Phishing Attacks, and Social Engineering Attacks, especially when users store their critical data on personal & open Cloud storage platforms
Various issues are related to using a personal account for storing their critical business data. First of all, there is nearly zero encryption offered for securing data. Secondly, companies have no idea about the sharing of data. Lastly, in the business sphere, saving data may violate the company’s policies and compliance. Such types of human threats and negligence can pose a serious threat to data security. With the use of a Hybrid Cloud, such threats can be easily reduced. Cloud Services may offer encryption at-rest or in-transit phase. In case of data breaches and leaks, the Cloud’s detailed logging helps in the fast tracing of the breach source and speeding up the recovery process.
Conclusion
Hybrid Cloud has one of the most secure solutions for enterprises. It offers them enhanced physical security along with an end-to-end architecture for protecting the data at various stages. The best thing about Hybrid Cloud is that it is a cost-effective Cloud computing model which can be easily implemented at on-site data centers. By using the tips mentioned above, users can easily avoid all forms of cyberattacks and data breaches.
