The benefits of cloud computing are vast. However, implementing any new technology has the potential to open businesses up to new security risks. User accounts, malware, data exposure, third parties, and usage policies are the five main areas that present risk with the cloud. Learn the technologies and techniques to better secure your business customers when implementing cloud computing solutions. In addition, learn how a trusted provider partner, like Spectrum Business, can help strengthen cloud security.

1. enterprise.spectrum.com | 855.214.1641
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way
companies do business, dramatically improving
workplace efficiency and the number and types of
tools available to employees. However, it also comes
with security risks, and an enterprise’s C-suite
needs to think ahead to address them. Strategic
preparation and the right technological tools go a
long way towards mitigating major cloud security
risks and keeping proprietary information and
essential data out of the wrong hands.
Five Cloud Security Risks Virtually Every
Business Faces
Some risks affect practically every company that
uses cloud computing, regardless of the size of a
business or its industry. These near-universal risks
demand careful consideration, both before and
after implementation:
• User account security. While hackers will give
themselves away if they gain unauthorized entry
to a business network using false credentials,
it’s much harder to detect them when they
pose as authorized users. Make sure everyone
in the company uses secure usernames and
passwords. Alphanumeric passwords work best,
particularly when configured as nonsensical
strings of numbers and letters. Also, implement a
policy requiring users to change or update their
passwords regularly.
• Malware. There are a lot of nasty viruses and
malware floating around in the cloud, and these
can be accidentally downloaded and installed
on company computers by unwitting employees.
Antivirus software is a good start, but a unified
threat management (UTM) suite is a better option.
UTM suites combine antivirus software with
firewall protection and other security enhancers
like content filters and spam blockers.
• Data exposure. When users are online in the cloud,
there’s a great deal of data available to anyone
with the knowledge and inclination to capture
it. Thus, enterprises must carefully consider the
nature of the data they leave exposed and take
steps to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong
hands. One good strategy is to put limits on the
number of employees who are able to access
critical information, as internal threats can be just
as serious as external ones.
COMMON CLOUD
SECURITY ISSUES
AND HOW THE C-SUITE
CAN SOLVE THEM

2. enterprise.spectrum.com | 855.214.1641
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• Third-party security. Businesses with partnerships
and businesses that share cloud resources with
other companies may be unknowingly exposing
private information, leaving it at risk. This is
exactly how the now-famous Target security
breach of 2013 took place. A surprising number of
businesses overlook this risk.
• Usage policies. These are essential, especially
in the bring your own device (BYOD) and social
media age. However, it isn’t enough to simply
develop network usage policies; they should also
be thoroughly tested and tweaked to make sure as
many security loopholes as possible are closed.
Spectrum Business Provides Dynamic And Cost-
Effective Solutions
Spectrum Business and its partners are leading
providers of effective cloud computing and data
security technologies. To learn more about how
Spectrum Business helps clients achieve superior
levels of online safety, visit our cloud computing
resource portal.