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What is Data Security in the Cloud?

The past two decades have seen rapid progress in technology. While the internet revolution has
connected businesses around the world, cloud computing technologies have optimized
resources. The Internet of Things (IoT) brings a versatile range of devices into the network.
Gone are the days when communication was only possible between computers. The IoT
revolution makes it possible to transmit data across a range of devices. Unfortunately, the
advances in technology are accompanied by data security threats.

According to the Cisco Visual Networking Index, global IP network traffic is more than 1
zettabyte per year, or 91.3 exabytes per month. This value is expected to reach 1.6 zettabytes
per year by 2018, equivalent to 45 million DVDs per hour. With such huge volumes of data
traveling on the network, hackers have the incentive to develop scripts to capture data.

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reports that 666 data breach cases were identified
between January 1, 2014 and November 12, 2014, the medical and health-care segments being
worst affected. Whether big or small, data breaches can severely affect the revenues of a
company. Until recently, 80% of data loss was caused by company insiders. However, this
situation is changing. With the ever-evolving internet trends, data security threats are increasing
exponentially. Data security must be addressed in many dimensions.

What is Data Security Within Organizations?

Within an organization, the entire network must be securely deployed, so that unauthorized
users cannot gain access. Moreover, it is important to hire reliable personnel to manage
databases and system administration.

When managing data, it is advisable to streamline procedures, so that different privileges are
assigned to different users based on their job roles. Data management has to be augmented
with efficient technology that enforces system policies properly for secure access to data, and
its storage, retrieval or manipulation.

What is Data Security Outside Organizations?

The internet revolution has created integrated business systems whereby employees, clients
and customers can access corporate information from anywhere, at any time. While this
flexibility creates more opportunities, data security is at risk. Data traveling between networks
may be subjected to tampering, eavesdropping, identity theft, and unauthorized access.
Network encryption and access controls that are augmented with a higher level of authentication
are required to securely transmit data.

19 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – November 2014 Edition
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