As more businesses move their data operations to the cloud, the convenience of cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular. However, with this rise comes a growing number of cybersecurity concerns. In 2023 alone, cloud-related data breaches accounted for nearly 45% of all reported data breaches, a staggering statistic that should give every organization pause. The question that looms for businesses today is this: how can they balance the convenience of the cloud with the security of their most sensitive data? For many, the answer lies in on-premises backup and recovery solutions.
The Growing Threat of Cloud-Based Data Breaches
With cyberattacks increasing by 15% year-over-year, according to the 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), the cloud is becoming a key target for malicious actors. The reasons are clear: large amounts of sensitive data stored in a central location make for an attractive prize.
That trend has only intensified in 2024 and beyond, particularly for organizations managing large volumes of data. As data grows in both quantity and complexity, so do the challenges of securing it in the cloud. Many organizations have found themselves vulnerable to breaches due to inadequate data management practices, leading to costly downtime and loss of sensitive information. To navigate these risks, businesses are increasingly turning to on-premises backup and recovery solutions, which offer greater control over their data and ensure that critical information is protected. With robust data management strategies in place, organizations can minimize exposure to security threats and maintain business continuity.
Several trends illustrate the vulnerabilities businesses face when storing their data solely in the cloud:
1. Rising Incidents of Misconfigurations: A major factor behind cloud breaches is human error. In fact, 82% of cloud data breaches are attributed to misconfigured services or settings, leaving data exposed.
2. API and SaaS Exploitation: Modern applications and SaaS platforms rely on APIs, which are increasingly exploited by hackers. Many of these APIs are inadequately secured, providing an easy pathway to sensitive data.
3. Shared Responsibility Model: While cloud service providers offer security measures, they operate on a shared responsibility model. This means the provider is responsible for securing the infrastructure, but businesses must secure their own data, creating gaps that can lead to vulnerabilities.
4. Inadequate Encryption Practices: Many businesses assume their cloud provider has end-to-end encryption. However, 50% of companies don’t implement encryption strategies effectively, leaving their data exposed during transit or at rest.
Why On-Prem Backup Offers a Safer Alternative
Amid these trends, it’s no surprise that businesses are reevaluating their cloud strategies. While the cloud is often seen as a convenient solution, there are several reasons why on-premises backup remains a superior approach for data security:
1. Complete Control Over Data: On-prem backup allows companies to maintain full control over their data environment. There is no third-party dependency, which means fewer vulnerabilities and no reliance on cloud provider security protocols.
2. Enhanced Customization: On-prem infrastructure can be tailored to a business’s specific security needs. Whether it’s setting advanced encryption standards or integrating specialized firewall protection, companies have more control to build robust defenses.
3. Reduced Exposure to Internet-Based Threats: Unlike cloud-stored data, on-prem solutions reduce exposure to the public internet, significantly minimizing the risk of hacking, DDoS attacks, or data exfiltration.
4. Compliance and Regulatory Benefits: For businesses in regulated industries, such as finance and healthcare, maintaining data on-prem can simplify meeting compliance standards. Data residency laws, for instance, may require sensitive information to be stored locally, which can be difficult to manage in the cloud.
5. Faster Recovery Times: When a breach occurs, downtime can be costly. On-prem solutions typically provide faster disaster recovery because businesses aren’t reliant on external servers or third-party infrastructure.
Hybrid Strategies: The Best of Both Worlds
For many organizations, a hybrid model combining both cloud and on-premises solutions offers the ideal balance between flexibility and security. By keeping critical backups on-prem while leveraging the cloud for day-to-day data access and scalability, businesses can optimize performance without sacrificing security.
Enhancing Data Security with Private Cloud
Sesame Software’s private cloud solution offers businesses an optimal way to enhance their data security while maintaining the flexibility of cloud access. By combining the power of on-premises backup with the scalability of a private cloud, organizations gain complete control over their data environment. Our solution allows for customized security protocols, ensuring that sensitive information is protected according to specific regulatory requirements. Additionally, with faster recovery times and reduced exposure to internet-based threats, businesses can confidently manage their data without sacrificing accessibility. This hybrid approach empowers organizations to leverage the best of both worlds, ensuring robust security in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
At Sesame Software, we understand that every organization has unique needs when it comes to data management. Our on-prem Salesforce backup and recovery solutions offer a fortified, secure environment while providing peace of mind. We help businesses take control of their data, reduce exposure to cyber threats, and ensure regulatory compliance in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.
Cloud-based data breaches are on the rise, and with them, the potential for catastrophic financial and reputational damage. By investing in on-prem backup solutions, businesses can secure their sensitive data more effectively, customize their security measures, and reduce their risk of falling victim to a data breach.
As cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, it’s critical to stay one step ahead. Ensuring that your data is safe, whether in the cloud or on-prem, is no longer just a matter of best practice—it’s essential for survival.
Looking for a Place to Start?
Need help navigating your data management projects? We can help. Schedule a demo of Sesame Software today to discuss how we can help create a unified view of your data by bringing it all to one place with instant connections to on-premise or cloud enterprise applications or databases.