What is Cloud Encryption?
What is cloud storage and encryption?
In essence, cloud storage provides encryption features to encrypt your private information before it is transmitted to the cloud itself. The usual cloud encryption services can be anything from connections locked behind complex algorithms to controlled encoding if the information in question is valuable or top secret. Cloud encryption also offers end-to-end encryption of any data you upload.
This style of encryption is considered to be one of the most secure methods of data protection. How it works is the system replaces the uploaded information with a seemingly random series of characters (including numbers and symbols), which can only be unlocked via security key, which only the user has. The best part is that even if the cloud is breached and the information gets leaked it still can't be unlocked without the proper security key.
Why isn't cloud encryption more popular?
Unfortunately, cloud storage encryption has its downsides too. While it has been proven to be effective, it also costs money. The extra work, more processor overhead and bandwidth it needs mean that the cost of the cloud service itself has to go up. That's why some cloud providers choose to cut the service out or offer only the bare minimum. Naturally, a lot of customers prefer the cheaper options over the added security, which puts them at risk. On the other hand, the price of uploading your company's entire database and having the cloud provider encrypt it can become so ridiculously expensive that you may choose to store the data yourself or encrypt it yourself before uploading it to the cloud.
Why should I spend my hard-earned money on cloud encryption?
As I already said, the main boon of cloud encryption is that it ensures your personal information stays safe. Even if the cloud gets hacked or breached you can be sure that the cybercriminals won't be able to access your data without the encryption keys that only you possess.
It's also valuable for businesses that are required by law to meet certain regulatory standards. These industries need to encryption services to fall in line with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and the Sarbanes–Oxley Act respectively.
Overall, it may be true that there are certain costs that come with cloud storage and encryption, but modern industry standards and security needs make it an encryption a must-have.
