Cloud users must beware of 'snooping', Law Society warns

Cloud users must beware of 'snooping', Law Society warns

Companies currently using cloud computing solutions, or considering doing so in the near future, need to beware of third parties snooping on their data, the Law Society has warned.

Speaking today (7 April), the organisation that represents solicitors in England and Wales has warned that while cloud computing has many benefits for businesses, it also carries the risk of intelligence agencies intercepting information stored in the cloud. As cloud storage can often involve a company’s data being placed in warehouses overseas, it also opens the door to foreign bodies snooping on the files.

One such example is the US Patriot Act; brought in as a safety measure after 9/11, the Patriot Act legally allows the US Government to intercept any data that is stored on or passes through American territories. For some firms dealing in personal, private or sensitive data, the threat of its data being intercepted and seen by a third party directly violates their business so they must be wary of this possibility.

The Law Society states: “There may be circumstances in which police or intelligence agencies at home or abroad can lawfully obtain access to your data via your cloud service provider.” As such it goes on to advise that a business ought to pick a supplier that will offer “appropriate contractual commitments and operational practices”.

If these risks are negated then benefits such as lower costs and greater flexibility are there to be enjoyed by those who migrate IT services to the cloud.

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