A properly configured cloud setup (encryption, 2FA, access controls) is usually safer than a local office computer without the same protections.
The gut reaction is “my data is safer if I keep it myself.” In practice, the opposite is usually true: a major cloud provider (Microsoft, Google) invests millions in security that no small business can replicate on its own.
What actually determines security
It’s not “cloud vs local” — it’s how it’s configured. A cloud account without two-factor authentication is less secure than a locked office PC. The reverse is also true: a properly configured cloud setup (encryption in transit and at rest, controlled per-user permissions, access logging) is far harder to breach than a plain computer.
What to check before switching
- Is two-factor authentication enabled on every account?
- Who has access to which files — is it actually controlled?
- Where are the servers physically located (relevant for GDPR)?
The biggest risk usually isn’t the cloud provider — it’s a weak password without 2FA.