To help you protect your personal data when using cloud storage services, we asked CEOs and business owners this question for their best advice. From regularly backing up important files to encrypting files before uploading, here are the top four tips these leaders shared for safeguarding your data.
- Regularly Back Up Important Files
- Use a Password Manager
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Encrypt Files Before Uploading
Regularly Back Up Important Files
To safeguard personal data when using cloud storage services, one effective practice is to regularly back up important files to an external hard drive. I make it a point to do this monthly, ensuring that I have a secure copy of my data in case of any issues with the cloud service. Additionally, using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, protecting my sensitive information from unauthorized access. This proactive approach gives me peace of mind while using cloud storage.
Trevor Bailey
Co-Founder, Taxfluence
Use a Password Manager
A password manager is a piece of software that automatically stores all of your passwords in an encrypted database. This implies that you just need to remember one master password rather than all of your individual logins. When you access a website or app, a password manager will automatically enter the right password. Password managers are extremely useful if you have many accounts on different websites. Look for a manager that logs out automatically after a certain amount of inactivity, ensuring that no one else can access it. Most password managers are also very secure, employing strong encryption algorithms and decrypting data only when you input your master password.
Rebecca Xing
CEO, Trustana
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires two pieces of identification, such as a password and username, as well as something only the user possesses; for example, a physical token or mobile app code. Even if your password gets leaked, this will still greatly decrease any chances of unauthorized access.
Among other methods of shielding personal information stored in online servers, enabling 2FA is one of the easiest and most effective steps toward digital security. It’s similar to fitting another lock on your front door.
Chris Dukich
Owner, Display Now
Encrypt Files Before Uploading
When it comes to safeguarding personal data in cloud storage, I’ve found that encryption is key. One practice I swear by is using a third-party encryption tool before uploading sensitive files to the cloud.
Here’s how I do it: I use open-source encryption software to create encrypted containers for my most sensitive documents. These containers appear as single files, but when unlocked with a password, they reveal the contents inside. I only upload these encrypted containers to my cloud storage.
This approach offers several benefits: Firstly, it adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone were to gain unauthorized access to my cloud account, they’d still need to crack the encryption to view the actual files. Secondly, it gives me peace of mind when using public Wi-Fi. Since the files are encrypted before transmission, I’m less worried about potential interception. Lastly, it allows me to take advantage of cloud-storage convenience without compromising on security for my most sensitive data.
The challenge is remembering to encrypt files before uploading and managing passwords securely. However, I’ve found that building this into my routine has become second nature over time. This method has been particularly useful for storing backups of financial documents and business plans. It allows me to access these files from anywhere while maintaining a high level of security. While it might seem like extra work, the added protection for critical data is well worth the effort in my experience.
Jonas Murphy
Fulfillment/Sales Manager, Pond Fountain Depot
