Four Reasons Why Cloud Security Boosts Anti-malware Peace of Mind

Even as the fight against malware escalates, viruses, worms, Trojans, rootkits and ransomware lurk as threats every time we boot up or login.

For most small-business users, anti-malware software lives locally on each computer itself or as a suite on a local area network. A database of known malware definitions is a critical part of that software. That database resides with the software and needs to be updated to provide optimal protection.

To make computer- and network-based anti-malware protection operate effectively, solution providers need to:

• Set up endpoint security software properly to instantly protect against online attacks.
• Update frequently to make sure the database has the latest virus definitions.
• Scan the system frequently.

Solution providers are expected to be the experts. Even for the experts the responsibility of keeping data as safe as possible is both understandably daunting and a lot to handle with very few guarantees. Malware has become so pervasive and so destructive that it is no longer reasonable for clients to expect even solution providers to keep up with malware threats on more than a need-to-know basis.

With that in mind, consider sharing with your customers these four reasons why cloud security is becoming more sophisticated and more popular:

1. Eliminate Setup Stress

Setting up local anti-malware software can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many variables involved, not the least of which is the usability of the management console. Find a solution with a simple dashboard, automated removal of old anti-virus agents and easy-to-configure policies so you don’t need to be a rocket scientist.

Because cloud security removes the processes from your computer with remote management, you don’t need to be an expert to make it work. Just follow directions for the level of protection you want.

2. No More Update Nightmares

Is your clients’ anti-virus software up to date? If you had to think about that question, there’s a good chance that it’s not.

With cloud security, you can be sure, because the updates needed for protection are happening in the cloud, not on their computers. That means that when you hear about a client’s local executive falling prey to a phishing email that took down his entire network, you can still get a good night’s sleep, knowing that their endpoint security is updated.

3. Anywhere Access and Peace of Mind

When a business network is protected by an on-premise endpoint security system, every time users walk out the door the system is unattended. If problems do arise, someone physically has to go back to the network to take care of them. That could easily turn a vacation, business trip or night on the town into a disaster–personally and professionally.

Cloud security is accessible from anywhere, so you can always see and manage the devices on your network. And a hybrid approach, pairing on-premise with cloud technology, provides additional flexibility.

4. Global Analysis

Traditional endpoint security solutions can do a good job of protecting devices from malware, as long as the malware is known to the maker of the solution. Cloud security goes way beyond that.

Companies offering cloud security share their intelligence in a global threat data depository. That gives their customers much more protection because their systems can see threats that have been discovered by other vendors, not just the maker of the system they chose.

Cloud Security Growing in Popularity

As long as criminals keep finding reasons to unleash their malware on the rest of us, anti-malware solutions will be needed to protect us from the bad guys. Cloud security, by virtue of the peace of mind, accessibility and enhanced ability to recognize threats — all at a reasonable price — is increasingly becoming the option chosen by solution providers.

Guest blogs such as this one are published monthly and are part of Talkin‘ Cloud’s annual platinum sponsorship.