Security Issues With Cloud Applications And Tips To Manage The Security

The growing space of Shadow IT (using IT services within the organization outside the supervision of the IT department) within the organizations that looks like a potential for good, seems to have a mask on its face. It poses a serious risk of data theft and loss of information. The apps if not secured could counter an organization's compliance, security, reliability, control and documentation.

The case with cloud applications is no different. The alarming increasing adoption of cloud services have made the employees in the organizations to come up with applications on clouds being used without the consultation of their respective IT departments. Although currently, the majority of organizations are moving ahead with caution in adopting cloud services, there is not much difference between those fully moving their business on cloud.

The threat comes from excessive unmonitored usage of file-sharing applications, video-streaming apps, unsecured services and lack of security back-up in smart phones. Apart from the usage of unsecured apps, the biggest threat to company data comes from the employees within the organization. A portion of data breaches are internal and accidental by the workers. There is a high degree of negligence on the part of workers in using these apps which most of the time are backed out of security especially from the android users. Mobile malware can manage to steal all the data from the phone, yes every activity you do and everything you store can be stolen, by the information-stealing malware. Also most of the employees use the same password for web applications as they do for sensitive work applications, which again is a potential threat to data and information.

There are a few questions that you must certainly ask before you install cloud apps to ensure security
Can you ensure consistent security? It is a challenge and a huge complication to implement security and firewalls across all your cloud applications. Cloud providers can provide you with consistent polices that will cater to your security issues for applications irrespective of where they are hosted. How can you protect virtual machines? Are you providing security against network threats and vulnerabilities? Are you achieving visibility and transparency in Cloud environments? A sound way to deal with the security for cloud application is to invest in tech-savvy advocates. Those who understand cloud and its agility will be willing to take the control of technology. Hire an experienced strategist who can educate, influence and guide the employees on correctly using the cloud applications.