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If you want to build a successful business, you need to make sure that your employees have the ability to work even when they are not in the office. This will make it easier for you to attract top talent to your company, but you also need to make sure you protect your information. When people are not able to come to the office every day, they will probably end up uploading files to the cloud.
That way, your employees can still access the information they need to do their jobs. Even though the cloud is very convenient, it can also be risky. What do you need to do if you want to build the best well architected framework for your company and stay safe while using the cloud?
1. Always Read the User Agreement
First, you always need to make sure you read the user agreement. If a deal sounds like it is too good to be true, it probably is. For example, say you have found a cloud computing system that is willing to provide you with quality services for free. If you are not paying for anything, there is a good chance that you are the product.
What this means is that a free service might be harvesting your information and selling it to other people. Take a look at the user agreement and make sure you are happy with the privacy policy. If you are not, you may be better off going somewhere else.
2. Use a Strong Password and Change it Regularly
Next, you need to make sure you use a strong password. A strong password should have a mixture of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and special symbols. Then, you need to make sure you change the password regularly. For example, you may want to force your employees to change their passwords once per month.
That way, if a password has been compromised, someone will not have access to your information forever. Make sure you put your employees through training regularly. That way, they understand how to create strong passwords for themselves.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Speaking of protecting your personal information, you also need to use two-factor authentication. What this means is that people need to have a second set of login credentials to access certain types of files. For example, after someone logs into the system, they might be asked for a text message verification. This is an example of two-factor authentication at work.
This is helpful because if one of your employees surrenders their username and password, the hacker will not be able to access all of the files on a network because they will not have the second factor. Take a look at the different options for two-factor authentication, and make sure you use it to protect your information.
4. Limit Personal Information
You also need to limit the amount of personal information you share with a cloud system. Even though you may trust it, you do not know if someone is trying to steal your information from the cloud server. Even though you might need to provide certain information, such as your payment information for a subscription, try not to share more information than you have to.
If you feel like the system is asking for information it does not need to do its job, you may want to go somewhere else. This could be a sign that it is trying to collect your information before selling it elsewhere.
5. Update Your Antivirus Programs Regularly
Finally, you need to make sure you update your antivirus programs regularly. Even though it can be frustrating to have to update your software system from time to time, remember that it is critically important for protecting your confidential information. If you do not update your antivirus programs on time, it is possible that a hacker could be able to gain access to your files.
There might be a specific virus that was not filtered out in an older version of the software, and you need to update your antivirus program if you want the latest protection. Make sure you stay on top of the latest software updates to protect your files.
Use the Cloud Safely
These are a few of the most important tips that you need to keep in mind if you would like to stay safe while using the cloud. Even though the cloud can be a tremendous asset to your company, it is also a significant liability.
You do not know if the cloud has the same security measures that you do on your personal network, so you need to make sure you keep your confidential information safe. Read the details of the user agreement before you get started, and ensure you put your company in the best position possible to stay safe.