Security experts are warning that businesses cannot rely entirely on data protection platforms which operate on the cloud while neglecting their in-house security, as a combination of the two is believed to be the best solution to the problems of data loss and theft.
Security vendor Network Box has published a report into security within the cloud and it’s concluded that businesses can be misled into believing that their data is completely safe when they make the leap to cloud computing for backup and storage.
It believes that businesses should not only choose a time that is most appropriate for cloud adoption on an individual basis, but that they should also short up internal protection even as they harness the cloud.
Businesses can still face threats against their internal systems, with cybercriminals looking to breach firewalls and bypass detection and with the prevalence of portable storage and smartphones allowing the potential for data loss and theft to grow exponentially in the modern world, according to Network Box.
Despite its warnings, the firm praised cloud computing for its ability to offer unrivalled security in many areas, with a particular focus on email, data backup and encryption services which can rarely be matched by in-house alternatives.
Network Box also said that cloud computing services could filter web access to an appropriate degree, giving business users adequate access while protecting them from malicious sites and software.
Concern was expressed about the ability of the cloud to offer adequate security when acting as a conduit for remote working and device management, with the security experts claiming that in-house platforms are needed to supplement it in this respect.
Network Box’s Simon Heron said that cloud computing was becoming an integral tool for many businesses, particularly when data protection and security are involved. However, he still remains unconvinced that any business can rely totally on the cloud for all their security needs and as such supports the call for hybrid strategies which harness in-house and cloud security.
