Cloud computing is growing at a rapid pace, offering many
benefits to end users such as cost savings, scalability, ease of access, speed
of implementation and so on. At B2BGateway our EDI systems have been operating
in ‘The Cloud’ since 1999, long before the term ‘Cloud Computing’ was invented;
heck, back then we just simply called it doing business over the internet.
As with all technology, security should be to the
forefront if you are considering moving your systems to the cloud. Here are my
top five tips that you should consider when looking at cloud based applications
and/or cloud providers:
1. Make sure your
cloud provider has put security into your SLA.
Many cloud providers do not mention security in their
SLA’s. In your negotiations with a cloud provider you should bring up security
and insist that the provider puts the agreed security terms into the SLA. The rules of Caveat Emptor apply here – ‘Let the buyer beware’.
2. Passwords
The importance of strong passwords cannot be stressed
enough. Yet, even today, many people still set weak passwords and are reckless
with passing them on to other members of staff who do not need to know them. New
passwords should be set frequently, particularly if key members of staff leave
the organization.
3. Encryption
Encryption will help to limit the damage if your systems
are hacked or wrongly accessed. It will also give users confidence that their
data is more secure.
4. Test, test, test……and test again
The only sure-fire way to make something
secure is to test it. Test, test and test again, always trying to break it, you
may even consider hiring an outside contractor for an independent point of
view. Chances are that if you and/or your contractor can find a way to get unauthorized
access, someone else can as well.
5. Firewall
A good firewall is still one of the best solutions to
preventing unauthorized access to your data. Because of the very nature of
cloud computing, remote access will no doubt be required by authorized users in
your organization. A firewall will add an extra layer of security and help fend
off unwanted approaches.
If you would like to know more about B2BGateway’s
cloud-based EDI solutions and our security measures within, please contact our
team at Sales@B2BGateway.Net or call
+1 401-491-9595.
