Online Storage is the Future
Most people are probably storing information online now, and even they are not, they probably will be soon. That is because of the growing popularity of cloud-based storage systems. With the data storage industry shifting to ‘offsite’ storage, understanding the options and methods is very important.
Eliminates Hardware & Software
Hardware and software (and the costs associated with them) are no longer needed to store data when someone decides to use online storage. The ease of online storage, coupled with the savings, has made cloud storage popular for both personal and business use. It is important to know that storing information through an offsite vendor does come with a whole new assortment of security risks and problems. When using online storage a person’s information travels via the internet, and similar to a financial transaction, it is important to choose a secure transmission method.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
Security is paramount with online storage. So users considering this option must be familiar with all of the security options available, and choose their methods wisely. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is the original method used to encrypt information so it can be safely transmitted online.
Transport Layer Security (TSL)
TSL is the next generation of online communication security. As information gets sent from one source to another, TSL incorporates cryptography. By encrypting information in this manner, both the sender and the recipient will exchange a form of verification, increasing the odds of a safe transmission. TSL offers protection from data tampering and eavesdropping. Today, TSL has surpassed SSL to become the industry standard for online communications. TSL is in use everywhere, from eCommerce and financial institutions, to email services companies. When exchanging any financial or personal information online the minimum security level used should be TSL encryption.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
AES is the latest advancement in information security, and it is the choice of the U.S. government. With AES, information encryption occurs during transit, and when the data gets stored. Advanced Encryption Standard offers the best known method of data storage security. When transferring data using AES, the information gets assigned a unique AES key. This unique key allows the data to enter for storage, and the same key is necessary for the data to be retrieved. There are multiple levels of security offered with an AES key, either 128, 192 or 256 bits. For maximum security, it is best to use a 256 bit AES key.
Folder Permissions & Password Protection
In addition to selecting the most secure way to transmit your information, there are other actions a user can take to secure their information. Folder Permissions are an option to consider when storing information. By choosing this option, the data owner can now control who views the information, who can edit the information, and who can delete the information. Password Protection, the original method of online security, offers another level of security. By establishing a solid password, the data has another layer of protection. When a cloud service offers sub-accounts, each account gets a password creating an extra layer of security. Thank you for reading our article regarding Storing Information Online – Understand the Security Risks.
