How Secure Is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage has become a go-to solution for individuals and businesses seeking scalable, cost-effective ways to store data, as it offers significant advantages over traditional methods of storing our files.
Public cloud storage works by using remote servers operated by a service provider so you can access files from anywhere with an internet connection. While convenient, trusting your sensitive and potentially confidential files to an external provider leaves many asking, "How secure is cloud storage?"
Before adopting it for sensitive data, evaluating its security features, potential risks, and available protective measures is essential. In this article, we’ll explore how secure cloud storage is and the key factors to consider when choosing the right solution for your business.
Table of contents
- End-to-end encryption
- Access controls
- Authentication and account security
- Antivirus protection
- Open source software
How cloud storage protects your data
As we answer the question of how secure is cloud storage, these are the common methods, technologies, and features designed to keep your cloud storage accounts secure.
End-to-end encryption
One important factor to consider a new cloud storage service is this: all major cloud storage is secure, but not all are focused on your privacy. Here’s why.
Big tech companies, for example, have advanced, powerful, and secure encryption methods that mean all files you store in the cloud have maximum security. So what’s the problem?
The problem is that these companies don’t use zero-knowledge encryption, the most essential way to keep your files private. As a result, your files are encrypted in transit and at rest, but they are stored on servers these companies own, and they hold the encryption keys to your data.
So, while they are secure, as they hold the keys to decrypt your files, they could access your personal information for targeted ads or machine learning or hand over access if requested by the government.
Zero-knowledge encryption, such as what Internxt and others use, guarantees the privacy of your files as the encryption keys are stored on your device, so nobody except you can access your files.
Unlike other providers, you don’t have to pay extra for zero-knowledge encryption, as it is a feature that is implemented across all Internxt cloud storage plans.
Access controls
Access controls offer more control over who can view, edit, or manage files. With Internxt Drive, every file you share has advanced access controls and password protection that you can manage and edit anytime to prevent unauthorized access to shared files and folders.
Internxt Business plans offer business account managers secure access controls to track the activity of their accounts by monitoring who signs in, uploads, or modifies files for increased security.
Authentication and account security
For additional security, cloud storage offers authentication methods to protect you in case your password leaks online.
You can prevent hackers or unauthorized access to your accounts using Two-Factor Authentication or other authentication methods to authorize that you are trying to access your account and not a potential hacker.
For additional protection against data loss, you can also download unique backup keys to your account, ensuring access to your files even if you lose your password.
This valuable feature is useful for services like Internxt, as it doesn’t store or have access to your passwords. Hence, a backup key is a secure method to recover access to your account if you forget your password.
Antivirus protection
Internxt Drive will also include antivirus protection in its paid pricing plans, offering additional protection against ransomware, phishing, and other malware attacks.
Antivirus protection will let you scan your files as and when you need to, keeping your cloud storage and device protected.
Open source software
Many users who emphasize privacy products will often look for open-source alternatives, as the product's source code is available for public viewing.
This transparency ensures no backdoors could compromise your privacy, and the privacy community can quickly identify and resolve any security vulnerabilities.
How secure is cloud storage compared to local storage?
Cloud storage offers more advantages, including easier remote access, scalability, and security. While local storage can provide more data protection as extra insurance to back up your files in the cloud, it does have some risks compared to cloud storage.
For this reason, when asking how secure is cloud storage, the following features outline the main advantages of cloud storage compared to storage using your own devices.
Encryption
Cloud storage providers use end-to-end encryption, so your files are scrambled using the company's encryption protocols to protect your data in transit and at rest. The encryption and the level of security and privacy you get depends on the company.
When researching how secure is cloud storage, you will find most cloud providers use AES-256 encryption, which is a highly secure encryption method to secure your files.
However, for more privacy and security, you should choose zero-knowledge cloud companies, as you own the encryption keys to your files, meaning nobody else can see your files or data.
As encryption happens automatically on your device, you don’t have to worry about manually encrypting your files or using tools like Cryptomater to keep your files private if you use services like Internxt.
Local storage, on the other hand, depends on your setup and encrypting the storage yourself. If you don’t do this, your data is at risk if your device is lost or stolen.
Accessibility
Cloud storage stores your data in external servers, often multiple times, to increase redundancy and ensure your files can be recovered in case of external failures. Your files can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection on multiple apps such as Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android.
Local storage doesn’t need an internet connection, but it is more vulnerable to external factors that could compromise your data, such as hardware failure, theft, or physical damage.
Unlike cloud storage, which benefits from built-in redundancy, local storage relies on a single device or drive, making data loss more likely if backup best practices aren’t maintained.
Privacy compliance
Cloud storage providers must comply with regulations, such as the GDPR, to ensure customer data is regulated, controlled, audited, and protected. This helps businesses build trust and prevent data breaches, which could lead to huge fines.
Compliance is more complex with local storage because companies must handle security, backups, access control, and audits, which can be costly and require a team of high-level cybersecurity experts to handle these protocols.
Data recovery
Cloud storage companies implement many measures to ensure your files are backed up and recoverable in case of disaster. As the company handles this process on its servers, you can set up automated backups from your account to always have a copy of your files backed up whenever you need it in the cloud.
Data recovery with local storage offers more control, but without the right correct backup procedures, the data is at higher risk of being lost.
Scalability
One of the main benefits of cloud storage for personal or business use is scalability. Companies or users can add as much storage as necessary based on their needs and budget.
For example, Internxt offers stackable lifetime storage plans, or S3 object storage for €7/TB/month, meaning you can manage huge amounts of data that is 80% cheaper than AWS.
Local storage means you must buy new software every time you need more storage, which is more costly.
Cost and maintenance
The provider handles the cost and maintenance of cloud storage, so you only have to pay for the subscription costs every month or year, or you can choose a lifetime cloud storage plan for a one-time payment.
However, local storage has higher upfront costs and requires continuous maintenance, and if anything happens to the devices, repair or replacement costs can also drive up the price.
Security risks of cloud storage
While cloud storage is secure, it has not been without its problems. Here are the security risks of cloud storage and methods to prevent them.
Data breaches
One of the most significant risks you have to look for if you want to know how secure is cloud storage is looking at past data breaches of cloud storage companies.
Companies like Google, which use and share your data with third parties, expose you to an increased risk of data breaches. We don’t know these companies' security or privacy policies or how they use your data.
In July 2013, Apple's iOS Developer Center experienced a data breach that exposed information of approximately 275,000 third-party developers. The attacker exploited a vulnerability, revealing developer names, IDs, mailing details, and email addresses.
The following year, an iCloud leak happened where private photos of celebrities were stolen and leaked online. Hackers gained access to these images by exploiting weak passwords and security questions.
Although iCloud’s security wasn’t breached directly, cybercriminals used phishing attacks to trick victims into revealing their credentials. Apple later improved its security by introducing two-factor authentication and alerting users of suspicious login attempts.
Dropbox also faced significant security issues that threatened user data. In 2011, a bug in the software allowed access to user accounts using any password, and in 2016, it was revealed that the usernames and passwords of over 68 million users were compromised.
Insider threats
Insider threats are particularly concerning because they exploit trusted access using techniques such as phishing to access sensitive information.
To prevent these, ensure your cloud system has strong access controls, employees are trained, and every attempt to access accounts or sensitive information is authenticated using the concept of zero trust.
Ransomware
Ransomware, along with phishing, is one of the highest threats to personal and business data. It's a kind of malware that encrypts files and locks your device behind encryption, which will only be decrypted if you pay a ransom.
Without regularly backing up your files to keep the most recent version of your folders safe, ransomware can cause devastating file loss, costing companies millions in ransom costs and compliance breach fees.
Insufficient data encryption
Without zero-knowledge encryption, you can’t be 100% guaranteed that your file’s privacy is protected, and giving a cloud provider control of the encryption keys could compromise the security of your data in the cloud.
Another risk regarding encryption is the development of quantum computers which could break current encryption technology and expose your files and personal information.
This is why Internxt Drive is the first cloud storage service to implement post-quantum cryptography, which guarantees your files are future-proofed against future cybersecurity threats.
How to secure your data in the cloud
Choosing a cloud storage service is a good start to protecting your files online, but there are additional methods or services to look for to increase the security of your cloud account, whether it's for personal or business use. Here’s how.
- Zero-knowledge encryption: for maximum privacy, use zero-knowledge cloud storage to prevent data breaches and companies from spying on your data.
- Regularly back up your data: Choose a cloud backup option that allows scheduled and automated backups to recover your data quickly should anything happen.
- Monitor access: Monitor user access and remove access when necessary.
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule: create three copies of data in two different formats with one remote infrastructure.
- Keep your apps updated: this protects you from previous security bugs or issues that hackers could use to access your system.
- Follow compliance laws: businesses should choose a GDPR cloud provider or others to prevent fines and ensure data is handled in line with privacy regulations.
- Regular audits: Again, this helps with compliance and helps to monitor, identify, and react to any possible security vulnerabilities.
These are just a few of the many security protocols you or your businesses can follow, but it's important to adapt to new trends in cybersecurity and stay up to date with current online privacy threats to ensure your cloud security system remains protected.
How to get the most secure cloud storage
For a zero-knowledge, open-source cloud provider that is secure and values your privacy, you can sign up to Internxt Drive for free or choose from any annual, lifetime, or cloud storage for family or businesses.
With Internxt, you get backups, syncing and file sharing, access management controls, and support across multiple platforms, including WebDAV and Rclone.
Internxt Drive is protected by post-quantum encryption, offering the most secure and advanced encryption currently available for ultimate cloud storage security.