Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 73 | Page 43

INTELLIGENT CLOUD

23andMe sparks rethink about safeguarding data , onpremises versus hybrid cloud

R ecently 23andMe , the popular DNA testing service , made a startling admission : hackers had gained unauthorised access to the personal data of 6.9 million users , specifically their DNA Relatives data .

This kind of high-profile breach made headlines globally , and naturally highlights the need for stringent security measures when managing organisational data – especially the type of sensitive genetic information that 23andMe is responsible for . Further , although the hacker appears to have to use a tactic known as credential stuffing to access 23andMe ’ s customer accounts , it does pose wider questions to organisations , IT managers and security experts about the security measures that are
Mark Grindey , CEO Zeus Cloud used more generally to keep organisational and consumer data safe from threat actors With a key question for many organisations surrounding that of where and how they host their data – especially when you consider 23andMe ’ s data has reportedly been stored solely on cloud servers
Mark Grindey , CEO Zeus Cloud explains that one way that organisations can mitigate similar risks is by implementing on-premises and hybrid cloud solutions . He covers how these technologies can play a vital role in safeguarding organisational data – such as 23andMe ’ s important genetic data – and shares insights about the key steps organisations can take to be more secure .
In 23andMe ’ s case , its compromised DNA Relatives data holds immense value and is extremely sensitive . This is because it enables individuals to connect with potential relatives based on shared genetic information . However , this kind of valuable data often becomes a target for cybercriminals , who are seeking to exploit it for various purposes : including identity theft , fraud , and other nefarious activities . Therefore , to protect this type of information , organisations need to implement robust security measures that ensure the confidentiality , integrity , and availability of the data .
On-premises solutions enables part of this protection to take place effectively and involves hosting data and applications within an organisation ’ s own physical infrastructure . This approach gives organisations direct control over their data and allows them to implement rigorous security protocols .
For instance , by keeping genetic data onsite , an organisation like 23andMe is able to secure it behind multiple layers of firewalls and intrusion detection systems , reducing the risk of external breaches . Additionally , access to this data can be restricted to authorised personnel only , minimising the potential for internal data leaks .
Another school of thought that is worth considering , for many organisations , is to use hybrid cloud solutions . This approach combines the advantages of on-premises and cloud-based services . Organisations can use public or private clouds appropriately to store non-sensitive data while keeping sensitive information – like genetic information in 23andMe ’ s case – on-premises .
This method provides organisations the flexibility to scale resources and accommodate fluctuating user demand , while still maintaining strict data control . When set up and configured correctly – using encrypted connections and robust authentication mechanisms – hybrid cloud solutions ensure that secure data transmission between the on-premises and cloud environments takes place . •
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