In the News
Security breaches can happen at any company around the world. In Over a Third of Global Firms Breached in 2017, Phil Muncaster explains how over 30% of global firms had some sort of breach in 2017. Muncaster elaborates that as more and more companies utilize cloud storage, vulnerabilities increase and the need for encryption and other security measures become more and more necessary.
Our Take
Storing information in the cloud decreases the chances that your data will be lost due to a hardware failure, and allows easier access to the data from anywhere. However, it also…well…allows easier access to the data from anywhere. Whenever you store your information on a network-connected device, that data is at greater risk of compromise by someone out there on the ‘net. When the information is actually stored by another company, this means that any breach of the company could result in a breach of your data: you’ve lost control. This can be a good thing, as most companies have more expertise and resources to secure your data than you do; but not every company has the same incentives to do so that you do.
Recommendations
So how can you protect your personal information in the cloud?
- Minimize the amount of personal information you store online, where possible
- Use Northwestern-approved cloud storage for Northwestern data
- Know which of your devices is set to backup to iCloud, Google Drive, etc.
- Be aware of recent breaches to see if your information may have been impacted