We all know that technology is constantly changing, and that no organization can afford to fall behind. But now, the savviest of business leaders and IT professionals know it’s become more important than ever to consistently review the way their organizations store, share and access important internal data stored on the cloud to prevent loss, liability, and other disasters.
Why? Consider recent current events. This spring, the FCC repealed Net Neutrality. Additionally, the European Union enacted regulations regarding online privacy to allow individuals to request their personal data. At the same time, some states in the U.S. have enacted their own versions of privacy and data regulation policies. If you think these developments don’t apply to you or your business, think again.
These new laws and regulations — both at home and abroad, as we live in an interconnected world — will impact how data is stored, managed, and accessed on the cloud. Even if the regulations don’t apply to your business directly, they will impact cloud service providers, SaaS, and data management systems.
For example, does your organization use some form of Quickbooks, or other data accounting and management software? Providers may eventually change the way you access or use that information, based on new liability risks associated with the storage of data.
The new regulations will create two major shifts. Businesses will take on increased responsibility for data storage and retrieval, including a layer of additional liability to maintain privacy. Providers will also be wary of the cost to maintain and transmit large packets of information.
As a result, business owners will find that the shift heightens costs and places additional IT management, maintenance, and infrastructure burdens on their resources. Those costs could be passed along to consumers, but that doesn’t solve all of the problems.
The implications will spark increased scrutiny and awareness of how the liability around managing and accessing sensitive personal data in the course of doing business. That means at the very least, you’ll have to review storage and access with your employees. At the most, it could change your process entirely.
Understanding how online and cloud security may be impacted
Chances are, your organization is using some combination of a storage devices to manage your data. The options include legacy network hosting services based in a facility, and some version of cloud based storage or operations. Whatever your system, there is likely some level of lack of understanding about your systems in place. That’s pretty common.
Just consider. There are business leaders and even IT professionals that believe using a closed network will protect them against data loss and theft. Still others don’t realize how dependent they are on the cloud, while others don’t realize the liability they’re open to with increased access through cloud based systems, and open employee access.
All of these questions, and many others, must be address by IT administrators and business leaders.
All organizations, but especially small and mid-sized businesses, must plan ahead so as not to be left behind. Broadline Solutions is proud to help provide the consulting and strategy needed to help you do just that, as not just a consultant but an advocate who listens and collaborates on a technology strategy.
About Us:
Is your organization safe from cyber threats? If you’d like help answering any of the questions we’ve listed here, contact our team of experts to get started. While there are many things to consider when it comes to security and the cloud, above all is the priority of keeping your organization and its clients protected. At Broadline Solutions, we are experienced information technology consultants. We connect end users with the cloud, colocation, and connectivity technology they need to stay safe while doing business.