One concern business managers have is the security of a cloud computing operation.
How well does it repel cyberattacks? Can it stop ransomware attacks? How many attacks can it repel in a minute when the cybercrooks have automated hacking software?
An old IT joke says the most secure computer is the one encased in concrete and not connected to anything. Since that’s not possible, it’s necessary to make your computers and servers as secure as possible while still being functional.
It’s a misconception that cloud servers — servers not housed in your office — are less secure than in-house computers. People sometimes feel more secure because their servers are on their premises, behind their security system, under their watchful eyes.
If anything, in-house computers are less secure than their cloud-based counterparts. Here are three reasons why cloud computing is a better option than local, in-house servers.
Hackers can access your in-house servers
For starters, understand that everything is in the cloud. “The cloud” refers to any computer that is not built into the desktop or laptop you are using right now. Your email server is in the cloud. Your online news site is in the cloud. Even this article that you’re reading right now is in the cloud.
That means your in-house servers are “the cloud” to someone else. People can access it just like they would any other server anywhere else in the world. That means any computer connected to the internet is, in essence, its own little cloud.
The only thing in-house servers are really protected from is a criminal walking into an office, sitting down at a keyboard, and accessing the hardware directly. But cloud providers like AWS, Google, and Microsoft have state-of-the-art physical security to prevent unauthorized access. So even when it comes to a physical breach, cloud servers are more secure.
Cloud-computing providers have AI-based security
Cloud-computing providers like AWS, Google, and Microsoft also have large-scale, AI-based security software. It’s expensive and so large that only a few companies can afford it. The cost puts it out of the reach of everyone else.
The security system learns from repelling attacks hundreds of thousands of times per day. The attacks come from a variety of different sources, different methods, and different parts of the world. The more attacks a system experiences, the smarter it gets. By putting it on some of the largest server systems in the world, all the servers can learn from all the attacks, which makes it extremely difficult to breach.
But even if you could put that security software on a small set of in-house servers, it wouldn’t be as effective. The small server might only experience attacks dozens or hundreds of times per day. There are fewer attacks and less information coming in, which means the AI system can’t learn as quickly or comprehensively, which makes it more vulnerable.
As it stands, smaller security systems may be fairly good and powerful, but they don’t harness the power of the major cloud service providers’ AI software, which makes them more vulnerable and open to attack.
Better, faster updating
Server software and security software are also often not updated as quickly as cloud-based software.
A cloud-based service provider regularly updates its software and operating systems. On the other hand, companies with their own servers often let the updates sit idle, or don’t want to pay for the new software as it comes out. Meanwhile, your cloud providers are constantly researching and leveraging all of the R&D they’ve generated. They’re spending millions and millions of dollars on security research, as well as their own interface and infrastructure. Those cloud companies benefit from the latest technology and software, but in-house servers often do not.
That’s why Cheetah and CheetahGO are highly protected: We take advantage of all the research and innovation these cloud providers create. We protect your data and client information, making sure it’s protected from both cyberattacks and theft.
Companies that are concerned about the security of their proprietary information and client data should look to the cloud for increased security and protection. Cloud-based providers like AWS, Google, and Microsoft have the industry’s leading security systems protecting millions of their customers around the world.
Even Cheetah Inc. puts our Cheetah and CheetahGo solutions on the cloud because we know our clients will receive the best security available. If you would like to learn how cloud computing can protect your organization’s data, request a free demonstration of our software.
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