[IT Security Tip] 3 rules to keeping your data safe in the cloud

If you’re using any kind of cloud application, you are right to be concerned about data privacy and security. The company hosting your data is ultimately responsible for keeping hackers out of their network, but most cloud breaches are due to user error. So it’s important that you, the user, are being smart about security, too. 

Here are a few things you can easily do to improve security in the cloud:

Maintain a strong password of at least eight characters with both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Make sure the device you’re using to access the application is secure. This is an area where you need professional help in installing and maintaining a strong firewall, antivirus, and spam-filtering software. Avoid accessing your cloud application with the same device used to check social networking sites and free email accounts to avoid compromising your cloud storage.



“Reverse”-backup your data. If the data in a cloud application is important, make sure you’re downloading it from the application and backing it up in another safe and secure location. In the event your account is hacked or the data is corrupted, you are secured in knowing you have a copy.