What is the most secure cloud storage? 3 secure clouds to consider
IONOS editorial team6 mins
The most secure cloud storage systems are characterised by advanced threat detection, end-to-end encryption, and a secure login system (such as two-factor authentication). Our top 3 picks for most secure online storage systems are IONOS HiDrive, Sync and pCloud.
- Protection against ransomware attacks
- Regular virus scans
- Automatic backups and simple file recovery
The 3 best cloud storage security options
| Most secure cloud storage | Security | Server locations | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| IONOS HiDrive | ISO 27001 certified, two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption in the Pro package | Europe and North America | App, Git connection, automatic synchronisation, makes teamwork easier |
| Sync | End-to-end encryption, free zero-knowledge encryption | Canada | HIPAA compliant, automatic synchronisation |
| pCloud | Two-factor authentication, zero knowledge encryption | USA, Europe | pCloud Crypto allows scalable encryption, password to protect certain files, multi-layer protection |
Updated: February 2024
HiDrive Cloud Storage
IONOS HiDrive cloud storage is a secure online storage service that offers you flexible access to your data. In addition to a smartphone app, direct use of Git is also supported.
This cloud storage solution is an excellent choice when it comes to security. ISO 27001-certified servers ensure that your personal data is protected according to strict data protection guidelines. Login is also secure thanks to two-factor authentication. End-to-end encryption is also available in the Pro package, allowing you to encrypt your data with ease.
- Store, share and edit data easily
- ISO-certified European data centres
- Highly secure and GDPR compliant
Sync
An online cloud service that places a lot of emphasis on security and privacy is Sync. This provider is easy to use and has lots of features, including zero-knowledge encryption meaning that even Sync cannot access your data. Zero-knowledge encryption is part of their free service, too. Additionally, their servers are in Canada, which has excellent data security laws. The protocols over at Sync are even HIPAA compliant.
Sync also has excellent encryption protocols. It offers end-to-end encryption for links, and SSL encryption for links while they’re in transit. Sync also provides two-factor authentication, which adds an extra level of security. It also works with Windows and macOS desktop, popular mobile apps such as iPhone, iPad and Android, and can be integrated with Microsoft Office 365.
pCloud
pCloud is another excellent option for the safest cloud storage out there. It has a dazzling range of features, but some, such as zero-knowledge encryption, come at an additional cost. pCloud’s extra encryption options are excellent. The company is so sure of their security that they held a competition (The pCloud Encryption Hacking Challenge) and offered $100,000 to anyone who could crack their encryption system—no one could.
You can choose whether to store your files on servers in Texas or Luxembourg, although bear in mind that this is determined when you sign up. pCloud also has clients for all major desktop operating systems such as macOS, Windows and Linux as well as Android and iOS apps.
Why is security an important factor in cloud storage?
Many users upload personal data to cloud storage systems. This often includes sensitive data such as photos or documents that should not fall into third-party hands. However, this is precisely the problem with many cloud providers. The data uploaded to the cloud is often unencrypted and can become the target of cyberattacks. Additionally, some cloud service providers do not prioritise data privacy. This issue becomes particularly concerning when data is stored in data centres outside of Europe, leading to potential shortfalls in data protection.
Security issues in cloud storage can also cause problems in a corporate context. When data from customers is uploaded to cloud-based storage solutions, a high level of security regarding data protection is essential for good customer relations.
What are common cloud security vulnerabilities?
The security of your data is influenced by both user cloud security best practices and the cloud service provider you choose.
Data encryption
It’s difficult to find out how and whether most cloud providers encrypt your data in their cloud. Only a few cloud service providers offer end-to-end encryption or zero-knowledge encryption. If your data is not encrypted, it makes an easy target for attackers who are able to gain access to the cloud service’s data centres. This is why it can be worthwhile to encrypt your data yourself and then only upload it to the cloud in an encrypted state.
Weak data protection laws
Sometimes data can be accessed even when stored securely. It’s important to consider data laws of the country where the cloud server you are using is based. Oftentimes, servers located in non-European countries aren’t as strict with data security as those located within the EU because they don’t have to comply with the GDPR. The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield between the European Union and the U.S. doesn’t offer much help either as it has been declared invalid.
In addition to Europe, Canada also maintains high standards when it comes to online data protection.
What makes cloud services especially secure?
With the most secure clouds, server location really does make a difference. Servers in Europe and Canada are particularly secure. In addition, an ISO 27001 certification guarantees a high standard of security in the data centre, ensuring your data is protected against attacks in the best possible way.
There are also providers that offer two-factor-authentication. With this type of authentication, you typically need to enter a time-based one-time code in addition to a password to access your cloud. This increases the security of the login process. For extra data security, cloud service providers sometimes even offer end-to-end data encryption. This type of protection is very effective, especially against outside attacks. Hackers would then not only have to bypass the protective measures the data centre has in place, but also decrypt your data.
Is a private cloud the most secure online storage?
A private cloud offers a particularly high level of protection against security risks. One advantage of having a cloud to yourself is that you alone have access to your data and can manage it. Additionally, the risk of external attacks is minimal compared to conventional cloud services. This is because cybercriminals are much more likely to view a cloud solution used by thousands of users as a more worthwhile target.
For companies and businesses in particular, a private cloud is the most secure cloud storage available. With the help of configurable firewall management, the security settings within the cloud can be adapted to the company’s requirements in the best possible way.
If you are considering a private cloud solution, try IONOS Private Cloud. You can fully customise the cloud to your needs and individually configure both the processor performance and the memory.
