If we say the internet “lives in the clouds,” it sounds like a joke, but it really isn’t: according to Statista, in 2022 companies invested $225 billion in cloud computing services worldwide, up from $178 billion in 2021.
Adoption of cloud computing services keeps growing, both because of the benefits it brings companies and because of lower costs and faster processing.
Still, there are some risks worth keeping in mind to protect our security and privacy when bringing cloud computing services into our company.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a technology that, put simply, consists of delivering online services such as data storage, big data analytics, or application processing. Cloud computing lets users run online applications from anywhere, on any device.
It also provides greater security for information, since the companies offering these services have advanced security and prevention systems that are more refined than the local antivirus software on each machine.
By choosing this option, companies also avoid the expenses that come with buying and maintaining computer hardware to store or process information. Otherwise, physical servers need special temperature and security conditions, plus professionals in charge of maintaining them.
What types of cloud computing are there?
There are different types of clouds depending on each company’s needs, which is why we need to distinguish between the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) models.
First, the IaaS model offers computing resources such as storage or networking, based on the client’s needs. PaaS, second, focuses on providing development tools or IT solutions so clients can build or manage apps from the cloud.
Finally, the SaaS model, one of the most widely used today, consists of software hosted in the cloud and accessed through APIs, web browsers, or even mobile devices. This model usually runs on a subscription or pay-per-use basis.
Beyond these models, clouds can be classified as public, private, or hybrid.
- Public clouds: as the name suggests, public clouds are public servers offered by specialized companies according to each client’s needs. They tend to be more affordable and a good fit for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Private clouds: private clouds, on the other hand, are built for a specific company on private servers, which provides more security and confidentiality. They are also assembled around the organization’s specific needs, making them a better fit for larger companies.
- Hybrid clouds: hybrid clouds combine both types, offering the scalability and adaptability of public clouds while benefiting from the confidentiality and control of private clouds.
Advantages of cloud computing
As we noted above, cloud computing has the advantage of letting companies save resources while using a more scalable and efficient infrastructure.
This means that, if you use it, you only pay for the processing capacity you need: since cloud servers run on a pay-per-use model, your investment tracks much more closely to what you actually need.
Storing data in the cloud also lets your team members access information whenever they need it using their credentials. For that very reason, though, it is important to train your employees in cybersecurity, since most security breaches are caused by human error.
Risks of cloud computing
A study by Check Point and Cybersecurity Insiders found that, during 2022, 27% of the organizations surveyed had experienced security incidents in public clouds. According to the data, the most frequent cause (23%) was cloud misconfiguration.
The same study also points to sensitive information exposed by users (15%), compromised accounts (15%), and exploited vulnerabilities (14%). Add to that other kinds of cyberattacks on companies, which carry very high costs for the organization.
With all this in mind, we can see that most of the errors that compromise security and privacy in cloud computing services come down to mistakes made by the team, whether in configuring or in using the service.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has become an essential tool for modern companies, offering significant benefits such as cost savings, scalability, and remote access to resources and applications.
However, it also comes with risks, mainly related to data security and privacy. Configuration errors and poor credential management are common causes of security breaches.
To reduce these risks, it is crucial to invest in cybersecurity training for employees and adopt secure configuration and usage practices. Adopting cloud computing solutions should go hand in hand with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to get the most out of its advantages while keeping its dangers to a minimum.
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