Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Data security important for small businesses using cloud computing

Many small businesses such as day trading companies are turning to cloud computing for easy and affordable data storage and applications. For traders, this means taking care to keep files secure, as networks, servers and web channels are prone to cyber attacks and failures than can result in money lost from data corruption or compliance penalties.

Choosing the right services is key to maintaining security. One of the simplest means of saving money through cloud computing is basic office Software-as-a-Service, such as Microsoft Live or Google Docs. These hosted program suites, which include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and other types of file creation, can be significantly less expensive than hard drive-based software, especially for start-ups or business owners investing in new hardware.

When choosing a data storage provider, such as a backup system or a file-hosting site, it's smart to investigate security procedures. For top safety of sensitive files such as financial transactions, data should be encrypted, sent to a server with an up-to-date firewall and fully password protected - meaning the user is the only person with access to the files, including the service provider.

Traders, along with a large percentage of other small businesses and consumers, already use a number of cloud computing services. Web-based email, for example, is part of the cloud, as are many smartphone and tablet apps. Ensuring data safety with these Software-as-a-Service options can be realized with hardware security programs that can help keep malicious intent such as malware at bay.

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