How Cloud Based Systems Ensure Efficient Service Delivery

In general, cloud computing changes the way you create, use, interact, and manage your business information technology (IT). It brings the promise of enhanced process efficiency, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to scale your workloads on demand. However, as with other things that provide many benefits, cloud computing brings about some challenges, too. These include the issue of data privacy and security. 

Ensuring the security of the cloud environment where you’re running your operations or storing your data is crucial. The solutions to mitigate the security risks in cloud computing include the encryption of data. This article looks at some of the security concerns that come with cloud computing and how encryption can enhance efficiency in service delivery. (1)

Data in the cloud are either in use, in transit, or at rest. All three are closely related and require encryption to stay secure at all times. The types of cloud encryption are as follows: 

• Data in use encryption: This ensures that data are protected when they’re actively in use by your teams in business applications and workflows.
• Data in transit encryption: This allows data to move in a secure way when transferred to and from the cloud environment as well as between end-user devices across your local network.
• Data at rest encryption: It safeguards your data when they’re in an inactive mode. This includes your cloud backup storage, local storage, and data in user devices.

Data breaches have become more prevalent than most business owners imagine. In 2020, the number of records exposed grew to a whopping 36 billion. This is such a troubling statistic considering the financial and reputational damage one breach could do to a business. The consequences of a breach are even worse if it goes undetected for a longer time. (2)

The issue with storing data in the cloud is that you somehow lose control over it. This is because when storing or running your workload public or hybrid cloud, you need to engage a third party. This creates more ways for your data to land in the wrong hands, and it’s the reason you need to be on high alert security-wise.

As a start, see to it that the third-party cloud provider understands they have an obligation to ensure the security of data entrusted to their cloud environments. Specifically, they should employ strong data encryption policies and practices. Encrypted data make it impossible for unauthorized persons to read your data, lowering the instances and impacts of data breaches. This leads to efficiency in service delivery.

Cloud based systems enable organizations to implement remote work programs with teams scattered across the globe. Employees are able to access business workflows from wherever they are, allowing flexibility in the hiring process and work schedules. However, this brings a set of new challenges.

For instance, it’s difficult to track if each team member is keeping up with security practices. Some of them may fail to adhere to the company guidelines on ensuring business IT security. This kind of laxity poses risks to your business data and information. Most of them might be using their personal devices to access work applications and still use them for browsing on public Wi-Fi. This can be dangerous for your business information if sensitive data fall into the wrong hands.

This is where data in use encryption plays a significant role. With cloud encryption, your worries would be put to rest. It makes sure that data is transmitted and exchanged between teams and the organization are secure from unauthorized access, so there’s flow and continuity of service delivery.

No one can predict when a disaster may strike, which is why preparedness is crucial. There’s nothing worse than losing your data and workloads to a technical hitch or damage to your physical business infrastructure. The crucial data you’ve built over the years can be wiped out in an instant. Cloud encryption can be made a part of your larger disaster recovery strategy.

By encrypting and securely storing data on cloud-based systems, you eliminate the concerns of losing all your files or losing access to them. Secure cloud data allow you to acquire your files and recover from a disaster more quickly, ensuring business continuity. In return, neither your teams nor your customers experience any inconvenience. (3)

There are many guidelines and standards for data protection, privacy, and security. These standards include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Their main purpose is to preserve the security, integrity, accessibility, and accountability of the customer data you hold.

Not adhering to these guidelines has severe consequences, including penalties and fines. Because part of the information you have on cloud storage and in your workloads is customer data, protection through encryption is a must. If such data are compromised in any way, your business is answerable to the regulators.

But above all, by following the regulations while keeping your business and customer data secure, you can rest easy knowing you won’t be in trouble with the law or your clients.

Cloud computing can breathe new life into your business applications and procedures by enhancing accessibility, flexibility, and scalability. But its security challenges are in a different realm from normal digital processes. With encryption, you ensure data in use, in transit, and at rest are protected from the prying eyes of cybercriminals. Ultimately, this helps maximize efficiency in service delivery.

1. “50 Cloud Security Stats You Should Know In 2021” https://expertinsights.com/insights/50-cloud-security-stats-you-should-know/ 
2. “36 Bn Records Exposed in Data Breaches in 2020” https://cisomag.eccouncil.org/2020-is-the-worst-year-on-record-in-terms-of-data-breaches-survey/#:~:text=A%20survey%20from%20Risk%20Based,the%20same%20period%20in%202019.
3. “How Cloud Based Systems Ensure Efficient Service Delivery”  https://kmtech.com.au/information-centre/how-cloud-based-systems-ensure-efficient-service-delivery/