Can Data Loss Occur On the Cloud?

And if so, what can you do about it?

Although we’re barely a fifth of the way into the century, when they close the books on the 21st century and look back at the technology that changed everything, the cloud is sure to be a top contender.

Hardware and software go through their changes and developments. The cloud plays its role in the development of new technology, but its primary purpose is for a long time to come in the area of data storage and management.

That’s why it’s so crucial to consider data integrity when thinking about the cloud. Is it vulnerable? Can it fail? How do we protect it? What do we do if something goes wrong? These are all critical questions.

What is the cloud, anyway?

To understand the potential problems with storing data on the cloud, it’s good to know what the cloud is.

Cloud computing is a synthesis of data storage and hosted applications situated on multiple remote servers accessed through the internet. What we’ve come to call “the cloud” is the collection of servers where those applications and data are kept. These days, many companies and individuals use the cloud in some way or another for business or personal reasons and can do so from multiple access points.

While you may not usually think of music services, email applications, and social networks as part of the cloud, they are. When you buy a song on iTunes, it becomes accessible from a smartphone, tablet, desktop, or smart home device.

The same goes for the backed up photos on your smartphone, your contacts list, emails, and more.

The stakes are raised

Data storage online is far from new. With increases in data storage capability, computer and network speeds, and internet access, the cloud is more than just storage on a single server. Data is stored on multiple servers across the world so you can always send, receive, or manipulate files and programs no matter where you are so long as you have an internet connection.

With so much business and personal data ending up on the cloud, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask what happens when that data goes missing.

So, where is your data?

Cloud-stored data and applications are recorded and kept at data centers on individual servers. These data centers are located all over the world. Those businesses that own the data centers — such as Amazon, Google, Dropbox, and so on — rent storage space to businesses and individuals to keep their data. As cloud platforms evolve, services have grown to include cloud-based software access as well.

However, the main idea at work is that everyone’s data is kept private and safe within its own dedicated space.

Is data safe on the cloud?

Your data is probably safer on the cloud than anywhere else.

Because cloud data is stored on services at multiple locations, all that redundancy means that it’s tough to lose. Should there be an issue at one data center, no problem. Your data or remote software access can always use another data center instead.

It’s the same data, and the multiple servers are updated on a practically continuous basis.

It’s the decentralized nature of this type of data center storage that makes it a safer place to keep your business or personal data than onsite storage. Physical servers located in your office are vulnerable to all sorts of hazards ranging from power surges, malware, natural disaster, physical malfunctions, and hardware/software obsolescence.

But can data be lost?

When you get right down to it, anything can be lost. Between user error, system or hardware crashes, malware, natural disaster, all data is at risk. The cloud architecture’s built-in redundancies and data protection protocols go a long way in making sure your information is as safe as possible.

Still, here are a few ways data can be lost on the cloud:

Hackers and other rats

Cloud service providers are continually improving and updating their systems and, more importantly, their system security. That said, there is no shortage of hackers and other bad actors on the internet, and they see cloud servers as an irresistibly juicy target.

On the one hand, you can place a lot of trust and faith in your cloud service provider’s work to keep your data safe. It’s in their best interest to make sure you don’t lose confidence in them.

On the other, you would be wise to enact the usual sensible security protocols on your end as well. This can include:

• Firewalls
• Robust passwords
• Two-factor authenticity
• Malware/virus detection software
• Data encryption
• Secured WiFi or other network connection

User error

Mistakes happen. People are fallible. Probably the most common reasons for data loss when using cloud storage are misfiled data and unintentional deletion.

Get employees trained on any software or process you use that accesses the cloud and make sure they understand how to use the software, how to write and store data, and how to use the “undo” option if there is one available.

Data overwrite

One could also lose essential data when information mistakenly overwritten by users or applications. Cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications tend to be unfortunate sources of significant data loss. These programs store and continuously update large data sets. An influx of new data can overwrite old data and cause some sets to be lost in the process.

This is another case where proper training is a must. Know how your cloud-based apps work — particularly when it comes to saving and updating information. Find out if your cloud service or cloud-based application has a way to revert to history so you can go back to previous versions of your data.

But training is still and will always be your best bet.

Common sense solutions even apply to the cloud

When you get right down to it, the risks and solutions for dealing with the cloud and keeping your data safe are not that much different from what you’d do if you were operating with a single, isolated computer. The only real differences are the scale and accessibility options you have with the cloud.

And the cloud’s redundant architecture. And built-in security protocols.

And… well, you know what?

The cloud is still your safest bet when it comes to keeping personal and business data safe. You just need to apply a little common sense now and then to help keep it that way.

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