Feature: Enterprise & Innovation


Cloud IT


or is it? Moving to Cloud-based IT is just like opening


I


Pandora’s box. The options and decisions surrounding the configuration of Cloud are huge. Where the term “secure by default” appears, it is important that this pertains to the design, and very rarely the configuration of the cloud service. Microsoft and Amazon services have started to create default policies to comply with data protection loss, etc. but the application of these default policies can cause problems with standard functionality and present other issues. There is an assumption that business decision


makers are aware of the cost benefits of Cloud services. Very recently, we have seen news surrounding state-sponsored hacking attacks against USA organisations, and this is nothing new. Whether in the UK, or across the world, it is important to understand that organisations of any size are consistently being attacked, and smaller companies are more of a target. Why? Smaller companies have good Intellectual property ideas which can be stolen, but also as a company grows, the organisation communicates with larger companies and their IT systems


60 CHAMBERconnect Winter 2021


T is changing drastically. The landscape and change to Cloud-based services with Office 365 and Microsoft services is simplifying IT -


become embedded. What starts as a seed, over time, may blossom into something either malware related, or lose valuable product information over years and eventually money/reputation. Further, there is perception within business that not all organisations have the staff numbers or turnover to make IT security a priority, and it can be seen by larger corporate entities and companies that working with SMEs is too much of a risk to take. Cloud IT services can


raise the external perception of all organisations where undertaken correctly. Cloud integrations provide assurance and security, enabling companies to progress to the next level. When considering IT security, we must


also discuss the location of your company data. This is very important when considering Brexit, changes in legislation and much more importantly the things to come you don’t know about. Microsoft, Amazon and other providers have data centres in the UK. Contract owners and customers alike need to have confidence


How secure are Cloud services, are they worth the financial cost and the cost associated with


business change? By Mark Frudd (pictured) TriplePs MD and Cyber Security Specialist


‘Cloud


integrations provide


assurance and security’


that data is not only sent and received securely, but is held within the United Kingdom. This once again provides reassurance to customers that their data is not hosted in another country and at risk due to varying legislation. So, there are a lot of hidden business benefits of Cloud IT services with the right partner. Even large companies have problems with the security configuration of Cloud, but the positive is that the design of Cloud solutions and controls have alerted organisations to this or allows third parties to raise this with the organisation. Reputation is


everything in business and loosing this to a data breach or hack can be very costly. This is why Cloud is safe, but in the right hands when you work with an IT provider that


understands cloud services. So, in summary, how safe is Cloud IT? Just like


every aspect of business, if you have the right specialist supporting the skillset, it is very safe. It is important to understand your requirements and design and plan just like any previous IT project - but the security benefits are well worth the investment.


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