Avoid Cloud Storage Disasters

Published {$created} by Viggo

Many small businesses are realizing that shared drives and personal computers aren't cutting it for file storage and sharing. The promise of secure cloud storage is attractive, but there’s a lot that can go wrong if you’re not careful. Let's explore some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Relying on Plain FTP: A Recipe for Data Exposure

Plain FTP, the original file transfer protocol, is shockingly insecure. Data is transmitted in plaintext, meaning anyone intercepting the connection can read your usernames, passwords, and file contents. This is especially dangerous for businesses handling sensitive data – client information, financial records, proprietary designs. Simply put: don't use it. Transitioning to a more secure protocol like SFTP or FTPS is critical. For a deeper dive into the differences and limitations of FTP, SCP and SFTP, check FTP 101: SCP vs. SFTP Limitations. Many businesses move to managed FTP hosting to simplify this transition.

What to do instead: Implement SFTP, which uses an SSH tunnel for encryption. This makes it vastly more secure. With ftpGrid, setting up SFTP is straightforward. Consider using SSH key authentication, as described in Advanced SSH Key Authentication for SFTP, for added protection.

2. Weak Passwords and Password Authentication

Even if you’re using FTPS or SFTP, a weak password can negate the security benefits. Using passwords for authentication also introduces a single point of failure. Compromised credentials lead to data breaches.

What to do instead: Enforce strong password policies. Better yet, ditch password authentication altogether. Employ SSH key-based authentication. This is far more secure. Create SSH Keys for SFTP/SCP Authentication provides a good starting point. ftpGrid supports ECDSA-SHA2-NISTP256, SSH-ED25519, and other key types for robust authentication.

3. Ignoring Storage and Bandwidth Limits

Many small businesses underestimate their storage and bandwidth needs. Lack of proper management can lead to unexpected costs and performance bottlenecks. Conversely, not setting limits can lead to rogue users consuming excessive resources, impacting everyone.

What to do instead: Carefully assess your storage needs and set appropriate quotas per user. ftpGrid’s Quota Management allows granular control over storage and bandwidth. Monitor usage regularly via the dashboard. For a quick understanding of our pricing options, see Pricing.

4. Neglecting Audit Logging and Monitoring

Without proper audit logs, you're flying blind. You won’t know who accessed what, when, or from where. Monitoring storage and bandwidth usage helps identify anomalies and potential security threats.

What to do instead: Enable audit logging. Review logs regularly for suspicious activity. Use the monitoring tools in your cloud storage platform. ftpGrid’s Audit Logging provides detailed transaction logs with IP and geo-location data. Plus, monitor realtime storage usage vs. quota using graphs.

5. Assuming “Set It and Forget It” Security

Cloud storage isn't a magical bullet. It requires ongoing attention. Neglecting software updates, failing to review security settings, or ignoring warnings can create vulnerabilities.

What to do instead: Keep your client software up-to-date. Periodically review user permissions and security settings. Stay informed about the latest security threats. ftpGrid handles many of the behind-the-scenes security tasks automatically, like SSL certificate management, as detailed in How Managed FTP Hosting Handles SSL Certificates Automatically. Consider migrating from self-hosted FTP to managed FTP hosting for simpler security management.