How can you securely store and share business reports using cloud computing?

1 Choose a reputable cloud provider

The first step to secure your business reports in the cloud is to choose a reliable and trustworthy cloud provider that offers high-quality services and features. You should look for a cloud provider that has strong encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms, as well as compliance with data privacy and security standards and regulations. You should also review the cloud provider's terms of service, privacy policy, and service level agreement, and make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a customer.

2 Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

The second step to secure your business reports in the cloud is to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your cloud accounts and applications. A strong password is one that is long, complex, and unique, and that you do not use for any other account or service. MFA is a security feature that requires you to provide more than one piece of evidence to verify your identity, such as a code sent to your phone or email, a biometric scan, or a physical token. By using strong passwords and MFA, you can reduce the risk of someone hacking into your cloud account and accessing your business reports.

3 Control and monitor access permissions

The third step to secure your business reports in the cloud is to control and monitor who can access, view, edit, and share your reports. You should assign access permissions based on the principle of least privilege, which means that you only grant the minimum level of access that is necessary for each user or role. You should also review and update the access permissions regularly, and revoke them when they are no longer needed. Moreover, you should track and audit the activities and actions of your users and collaborators, and use alerts and notifications to detect any suspicious or anomalous behavior.

4 Encrypt and backup your data and reports

The fourth step to secure your business reports in the cloud is to encrypt and backup your data and reports. Encryption is a process that transforms your data and reports into unreadable code that can only be decrypted with a key. Encryption can protect your data and reports from being intercepted, modified, or stolen by unauthorized parties. Backup is a process that creates a copy of your data and reports that can be restored in case of loss, damage, or corruption. Backup can protect your data and reports from accidental deletion, hardware failure, or natural disaster.

5 Update and patch your software and devices

The fifth step to secure your business reports in the cloud is to update and patch your software and devices. Updating and patching your software and devices means that you install the latest versions and fixes of your operating systems, applications, browsers, and antivirus programs. Updating and patching your software and devices can improve their performance, functionality, and compatibility, as well as fix any security vulnerabilities or bugs that could expose your data and reports to cyberattacks.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?