Cloud computing has been a game-changer for how people access and store data. However, even as its popularity soars for business and personal use, there are still numerous cloud storage issues and challenges to overcome.
Most people use cloud storage systems of some sort, be it iCloud, Dropbox, or any other service. With such a huge amount of data stored not on our own devices but elsewhere, it's no shock that companies want their cloud systems to be as secure as they can be. But that doesn't mean there aren't security issues with all storage providers.
So what security problems do we still face right now? And what can be done to give you peace of mind?
1. Differences in Security Protocols Among Providers
Many cloud storage security issues stem from the reality that chosen providers hold the data for their customers. Keeping it safe requires a layered approach, and the leading cloud companies follow best practices for security. However, risks still exist.
Can cloud providers access your data? In most cases, yes. That’s because they hold the associated encryption keys so their systems can see and process data. Zero-knowledge cloud providers are the exceptions because they only allow data owners to have the encryption keys.
Since cloud providers can view and even access your data, a disgruntled employee could abuse their power. The rightful data owners may be in the dark about what happened.
Another issue is that the cloud providers themselves don’t have impenetrable security. The procedures they use are still far more robust than what most people have when storing information on personal systems, but they’re not perfect.
Reading the specifics about how a cloud provider secures your data is a good way to ensure they take all the right precautions. It also opens opportunities for asking questions of a sales representative before signing up for a cloud plan.
2. Company Unawareness of Internal Vulnerabilities
Cloud security is not solely the responsibility of a provider. The data owners must do what they can to avoid raising the threat of an outsider attack or similarly unwanted events. Experts suggest uncovering cloud storage issues and challenges starts with conducting a thorough audit to see where weaknesses exist. From there, company decision-makers are in better positions to take prompt, effective action.
Employees are often part of the problem, although not always intentionally. A study revealed 97 percent of enterprise cloud apps represented shadow IT, meaning people used them without explicit permission from their workplaces. Many do so believing these applications will boost their productivity or bring other benefits, not realizing they may also compromise security.
These statistics show how easy it could be for a company IT leader to not know about all the potential issues with cloud infrastructure and usage that could elevate the likelihood of attacks.
The research also found that 68 percent of all malware is a cloud-delivered type and that 67 percent is related to storage. This emphasizes that many employees, and perhaps their workplaces, may automatically assume the cloud is safe when that’s not always the case.
Publishing workplace policies about cloud usage is a smart way to make sure everyone’s on the same page at a company. Having an organization’s IT professionals set up all-new devices and monitor network usage removes some cloud risks, too.
3. A Lack of Trust in Cloud Providers’ Business Operations
Becoming a cloud storage customer usually means reading lots of fine print and probably skimming over parts of a contract you don’t understand but signing it anyway. However, that could give the companies justification to act in ways customers might not like.
A survey performed of IT developers’ feelings about the top three cloud providers showed that approximately 20 percent of respondents believed those companies would engage in certain behaviors. These include monetizing user data, putting stakeholders’ interests above customers' wants, and engaging in partnerships developers find morally objectionable.
The survey results don’t mean cloud storage brands will harm customers or use their data in questionable ways. However, it does reveal how hard it is to check that all business values and decisions associated with a cloud provider align with yours.
Researching to learn about companies’ past actions and reading statements about their missions and values can help avoid surprises, though. Alternatively, you could try to get in a short-term or pay-as-you-go agreement to avoid getting locked into a long-term relationship with a cloud provider that is not all you’d hoped.
4. Worries About Security Oversights and Service Outages
Successful cloud deployments need constant oversight. However, a March 2021 study showed many companies don’t have the workforce to achieve that aim.
More specifically, 44 percent lack the staff to manage their cloud environments. Plus, 58 percent of respondents admitted to having cloud security concerns.
Only 11 percent of those polled had security incidents in the past year. However, of those, cloud provider issues were the causes in 26 percent of cases, with 22 percent occurring because of misconfigured settings.
When such issues caused service outages, 24 percent of people said it took at least three hours to fix the most disruptive of those events. For 26 percent of those polled, the time spent was at least half a day. That can be really damaging if you're a business too.
These conclusions show there’s no single cause of cloud storage security issues. Plus, they do cause genuine trouble if not addressed in time.
Cloud Storage Challenges Are Manageable
Perhaps you’re now questioning the security of your personal Google Drive account or are feeling worried about the number of cloud-based apps your team members use at work. That’s understandable, but remember there are risks with virtually every online activity.
The key thing is to work hard to stay aware of vulnerabilities and minimize them whenever possible.