As cloud storage is becoming popular with professional and personal users alike, the safety of the data in the cloud is a serious cybersecurity concern for most of us.

Some worry about whether the cloud storage they’re using is future-proof while others about the privacy of their personal information. Whichever the case, reasons for avoiding cloud services seem to fall short when put side by side with reasons for utilizing them.

Cloud storage is one of the most convenient, scalable, and cost-efficient methods for storing data, but is it secure?

What Is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage is a part of cloud computing that deals with storing digital data on remote servers and allowing access to it through an internet connection. It has the same purpose as on-site storage but throws in some additional advantages, and disadvantages, as well.

As a rule, your cloud storage can be ready in no time (it’s a matter of minutes), accessed from anywhere (provided you have an internet connection), scaled up/down (sometimes automatically), and play a critical part in a disaster recovery plan (it serves as a backup).

Also, since a third-party provider is taking care of servers—including maintenance and security of the whole infrastructure—you can put your mind at ease and focus on less tiresome tasks.

Fortunately, there are some suitably secure cloud storage services out there, and most are pretty pocket-friendly to boot.

And if cloud storage is not the only part of your online security you’re worrying about, you should look for other types of tools that’ll help you improve your online security and privacy.

What Are the Most Common Uses of Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage has as many uses as physical ones (and more), and both individuals and organizations can benefit from it. If we evaluate the security of such storage, we at least need to note how useful it is for added safety—through backups, for instance—and convenience.

Backing Up Your Data

It’s not only the simplest but also probably the most prominent use of cloud storage. If you ever had a hard disk that died without warning and took all your valuable data with it, you’re no stranger to the sheer chaos it can cause.

With your data stored safely in the cloud, there’s no need to worry about losing it due to hardware failure, a stroke of bad luck, or ransomware (as long as the ransomware doesn't encrypt your cloud too, of course). In a less serious scenario, you could utilize cloud storage to archive any old, redundant data you simply can’t part with, and free up some space on your devices.

Sharing Your Files With Ease

Virtually all cloud storage services come with file-sharing features, so you don’t have to waste time uploading to a separate file transfer service or sending them via email. It’s as simple as finding the file you want to share, tapping the relevant button, and choosing with whom you want to share your file, whether that be one person or multiple individuals or companies.

Cloud Disaster Recovery (CDR)

While this use is similar to cloud backups, it plays a significant role in business security. Sooner or later, most businesses will suffer a cyberattack, deal with a security breach due to human error, or lose critical data because of system failure. Thanks to cloud computing, lost data can be easily recovered.

In the case of ransomware, you need to make sure the cloud isn't affected too; if not, then you at least have a separate backup of your personal information to access elsewhere—though importantly not on the device that has been infected until after the ransomware has been wiped from the system completely.

What Makes Your Data Secure in Cloud Storage?

In most cases, data stored in the cloud is more secure than anything saved on your own hard drive. After all, cloud servers are situated in closely monitored cloud data centers with multiple levels of security.

So how is cloud storage security achieved? What are the critical security measures used for safeguarding your data in the cloud?

End-to-End Encryption

As all data stored in the cloud should be encrypted (with you as the sole owner of the decryption key), even if cybercriminals get their hands on your data, they won’t be able to do anything with it.

Since data is encrypted before it leaves your devices and again while at rest on a cloud server, your data is secure every step of the way.

Top-Tier Redundancy

Under the redundancy scheme, as soon as you upload a file to your cloud storage space, it will be copied onto multiple servers across your country or the world. So, if one of these servers suddenly fails, the copy of your file will still be available on other servers, and so, available to you too.

Round-the-Clock Monitoring

With all secure, premium cloud storage services, you can rely on round-the-clock security staff watching for signs of cyber threats or any flaws in the security infrastructure. If you have any concerns, you should be able to contact the IT team behind the service.

Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)

Firewall-as-a-Service (FWWaaS), i.e. cloud firewall, is like a traditional firewall in every aspect except it’s hosted in the cloud. It creates a virtual shield around cloud infrastructure and all data stored inside.

AI-Powered Tools and Auto-Patching

Since humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, it seems like a smart strategy to leave some data security measures to artificial intelligence (AI). These AI-powered tools can track down and identify potential vulnerabilities—including out-of-date security software and missing fixes—and patch things up.

So, Is Cloud Storage Really Secure?

While no system is fool-proof, cloud storage is more convenient than its on-site counterparts and surprisingly secure too. All your data stored in the cloud is encrypted, carefully monitored, and protected against all sorts of cyber threats. Even in the case of a catastrophe, your data will survive thanks to redundant servers.

All in all, cloud storage is a pretty safe choice for your data, and it’s not going away anytime soon.