Is Your Data Safe On An Online Server?
With the rise of the technological revolution, the world is seeing more people glued to their high-tech gadgets. From creating important documents or spreadsheets to writing a task list, every task is now performed with the use of a computer or tablet. Since the space on such gadgets is limited, we need a medium to store our information. Portable external hard disks, DVDs and CDs are common methods for saving data, but they are not reliable. They can become corrupt or perhaps be misplaced. Due to their small size, the chances of the latter case become inevitable.
Keeping these issues in mind, many companies have bought data servers from Dell and other makers to meet their data storage needs, and now the free data storage service is available for personal uses. The latest company to join the bandwagon is Apple with its iCloud service. Most people are hesitant to try this medium of data storage because they are not very confident in regards to its data safety. Let us take a look at some methods to ensure the safety of data.
File encryption – Before a file is uploaded on the server, it is encrypted by an algorithm at the client machine. This algorithm is based on a key that is derived from the password entered by the file owner. Once the file is encrypted, it is uploaded on the server. This file can be accessed from anywhere via Internet, provided that you have the correct password, ultimately ensuring the safety of the data.
SSL encryption – One major data concern is the safety of data transfer between the client machine and the server. Most hackers are on the lookout for original and insecure data. So data server providers have created a SSL encryption that safeguards such data transfers. All that is required is software installed on both the client and the server machine. Once the data flow starts, the encryption scheme forms a secure connection and facilitates the uninterrupted flow of data.
File encryption on servers – Many times the encrypted files are directly stored on the server. The original file is sent to the server where encryption takes place before being uploaded on the server. The only catch in this method is if the service provider leaks the password, then your data will not remain secure, hence the failure of the system.
Data Centers – These centers are warehouses for data servers kept secure under lock and key. Even the data administrator needs a password to access the lock, or they can open it with the use of fingerprints or hand impression. This is one of the most secure ways to store the data.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) – This method incorporates the mirroring of data at the data center. In this method there is a set of hard disks with data written on them, and there is a separate set of disks holding a copy of the data. When a hard disk fails, the corresponding mirror image hard disk is retrieved to find the data. This way the data is never lost, and even its safety is ensured.
You need not worry about natural calamities or a fire breakout because the data centers have such problems covered. Although none of the methods ensure 100 percent safety, storing data on servers is a far better option than using disks.
Tags: cloud computing, data centers, data security, external hard drive, hard drives, Internet, online storage, servers, SSL encryption, Word Wide Web
