Tips on How to Secure Your Cloud Data

Cloud technology has become essential among businesses in every industry. With cloud storage, you can access your data anywhere and with any device — all you need is an internet connection. For commercial appraisers, the cloud is especially game-changing.

Not too long ago, appraisers were forced to use up precious hard drive space to house downloadable software solutions. Important files needed to be backed up manually, and sharing information often required a drive hand-off. Today, appraisers can utilize platforms that operate entirely online, allowing them access to the same tools with the added benefit of unparalleled convenience.

Cloud technology is well-known for its security. Cloud appraisal management platforms like Valcre safely store all your work in your database, which you can look through and alter. Valcre backs up your work automatically, so you don’t ever have to worry about losing your work progress. Furthermore, Valcre ensures that your data is only made visible to the people you send it to.

Appraisal management platforms aren’t the only cloud applications with these security measures. Cloud-based storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive employ similar methods to keep your information away from prying eyes. Nonetheless, it’s never wise to feel overconfident, no matter how well these programs secure your data. Human error is the most common reason why cloud data is breached.

Let’s go over a few housekeeping rules to make sure your data stays safe. Don’t worry — it only takes a little effort to keep your information secure. Your cloud technology will do the rest!

Back-Up Your Most Important Files

You shouldn’t generally have to do this if you’re using cloud-based storage to manage your data. If you lose your internet connection in the middle of working on a document, you should be able to refresh your browser tab and get back to work with no lost progress. Nevertheless, if you do have an important file that you feel particularly anxious about, back it up manually with an external hard drive or USB. Doing so will allow you to access your data if you’ve lost your internet connection.

Keep Sensitive Information Off of the Cloud

This isn’t to suggest that your cloud storage providers are looking into all the information you upload. They aren’t. As a practice, keeping any personalized identifiable information (PII) up on the internet is dangerous, cloud, or no cloud. PII includes credit card and banking information, social security numbers, private phone numbers, and home addresses. Millions of identity theft cases happen every year, and it only takes one badly made password (more on this to come) to cause a data breach. If you must keep sensitive information on your cloud database, use a storage service provider that offers encryption.

Encrypt Your Data

Are you sharing sensitive information with coworkers or clients? Consider encrypting your data before you put it on the cloud. There are plenty of easy-to-use programs that you can use to protect your data. Encryption applications typically work by prompting you to lock your file with a password or key sequence before cloud upload. The recipient won’t be able to access the data unless you grant them the password.

Use a Decent Password

Cloud platforms make users create login IDs and passwords for a reason. If you don’t take password creation seriously, you could be making yourself vulnerable to a data breach. According to Verizon's 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report, 80 percent of data breaches were made due to weak and compromised passwords. To ensure the protection of your data, use the following guidelines when creating your next password:

• Don’t use your name or birthday.
• Don’t use your phone number or any other personal numerical information.
• Refrain from using pop culture references.
• Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special symbols.
• Never include your password on any documents in your cloud database.
• Never share your password — not even with friends or colleagues.
• Never reuse passwords from other systems or websites.
• Random sequences (ex. iA2fes3065%POD%!dAw3#) are safe but hard to remember. Use a password manager to retain these instead of writing them down on paper.

For more information on how to keep your appraisal work safe with cloud technology, schedule a demo with Valcre!