Cloud solutions for Security help organisations to store, process data in virtual servers securely. A huge volume of data that includes employee records, personal information of customers, financial accounting, and business intelligence information are stored every day in virtual servers.

Cloud computing for storing data virtually can accelerate operation at work place and bring down IT cost immensely. Though the cloud providers store the encrypted data in a secure place, organisations are still hesitant to share data in the cloud. The cloud must become a place where every one wants to store data permanently.

Along with service models, the service providers offer deployment models in private, public, hybrid and community. There are security issues faced by cloud providers, and security issues faced by the customers. When sensitive data is stored in the cloud, precautions need to be taken to protect from risks also.

Organisations who opt for cloud computing services must first decide on the level of privacy and the level of protection their data may need. It is also important to maintain the balance between the level of protection needed and the money or effort that can spent on securing it.

The following five data privacy protection tips can help you decide to store your data in the cloud.

1. Encrypted cloud service: In additon to storage and backup, cloud computing offers local encryption and decryption of files. The security service providers encrypt files on the user's computer and store data securely on the cloud. "Zero-knowledge" privacy protects data from service providers and server administrators. Spideroak and Wuala are some of the cloud computing security service providers who offer space with backup, sync, share, access and storage, both free and paid accounts.

2. Encrypt data: Encrypt data with passwords before moving it to the cloud. An easy way to encrypt data is to zip files and protect with a password. If higher level of protection is needed, TrueCrypt encryption software can be the best option. This open source encryption program offers higher level of reliability.

3. Passwords: Always follow the most efficient method to create a secure password.

4. User agreement: Spare valuable time to read the user agreement of the cloud service provider thoroughly.

5. Sensitive information: The user has the right to decide if any of the sensitive information to be stored in the cloud or not. Choose an appropriate solution to protect the sensitive information in the cloud storage or keep it from the virtual cloud.