Thierry Levasseur, Vancouver Entrepreneur, Discusses How Cloud Computing Can Enhance File Security

File sharing and cloud computing have become commonplace in today’s business world. Aside from their flexibility and lower cost, the cloud also brings advanced security technology to companies and corporations who use them, according to Thierry LeVasseur, a Vancouver executive and entrepreneur who works in the area of digital security.

Experts have predicted that 83 percent of company’s data will be in the cloud by 2020, according to Forbes.  At those companies, IT professionals have indicated that security is their number one concern.

“The cloud, coupled with a mobile workforce and Bring Your Own Devices policies at corporations have been increasing the demand for file sharing services,” Thierry LeVasseur said.

Because file sharing involves moving files back and forth from devices and computer systems, it comes with risk. These risks include malware being transferred between devices and files and an increased risk or vulnerability to hacking.

However, cloud providers are acutely aware of these hazards and have been taking measures to ensure that files are safe. These include a range of measures that limit access to the data, store data on separate servers and ensure sufficient monitoring.

Securing your cloud data

Keeping the cloud secure and safe is the responsibility of both the cloud service provider and users. Providers need to lock down access to their servers, employ encryption to the information and closely monitor data interactions. While users need to ensure that they are securing access to the cloud files.

Companies are often concerned over the security of their data, which can be difficult to confirm, particularly if the cloud service provider uses subcontractors or third-party providers. However, the size and scope of cloud providers proves to be an advantage for smaller organizations.

“Providers are able to offer extensive security and privacy capabilities that many organizations do not have access to,” LeVasseur explained.

The two top issues with regards to cloud security are authorization and authenticity. It is crucial that the identity of the user is established. Access control lists are a good security measure that cloud users can employ. Because of the nature of the cloud, it is important to have clearly defined access controls to files.   This should include infrastructure, operating systems, apps and even monitoring tools.

Cloud service providers often use network segmentation to secure data. The idea is that by separating the servers and the information stored on them you can better protect files in the cloud. This prevents lateral attacks that hackers may try.

File sharing allows higher productivity among corporations and organizations, which has been a large part of its appeal. However, it can also provide extra security for documents, videos and other files stored in the cloud. While every company should have a file sharing policy and educate employees about the risks that come with sharing files between devices, it is also important to work with a cloud system that regularly updates it security protection, uses encryption and has tight access control.