Whether cloud environments are public, private, or hybrid, they often contain complex systems that require special attention to secure. These include applications, data, runtimes, and even the operating system itself.
Fortunately, there are a number of tools and technologies that can be used to limit the visibility and accessibility of sensitive data. For example, encryption scrambles data so that it can only be read by an authorized party.
Understanding Cloud Security
Shared responsibility models vary depending on the service provider and the cloud computing service model you use—the more the provider manages, the more they can protect. For example, in an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, the customer secures their data, applications, virtual network controls, operating system, and user access, while the cloud provider secures computers, storage, and physical networks. In a Platform as a Service (PaaS) model, the customer secures their data, user access, and applications, while the cloud provider secures everything else. In a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, the customer secures their data and user access only.
Cloud security is important because it helps organizations achieve the agility and flexibility needed to accelerate innovation and meet the expectations of today’s modern consumers. By following the best cloud security practices and leveraging the right tools and technologies, organizations can benefit from the advantages of cloud computing while minimizing the risks of data breaches, cyberattacks, or insider threats.
Security measures
The biggest threat to data stored in the cloud is unauthorized access. This is often the result of lax security practices such as sharing passwords or failing to update credentials when employees leave the business. It can also be caused by poorly protected interfaces between the service and external networks or devices.
To protect against this, cloud security’s best practice is to ensure all services are encrypted. This can be done by deploying a virtual private network (VPN) for all users or using third-party tools to encrypt files before uploading them to the cloud. It’s also important to encrypt data on the move between storage locations or when transmitting it to on-site applications.
Many CSPs now offer the ability to secure data at the service level by providing a range of identity and authentication features such as username and password, two-factor authentication, and TLS client certificates. They also usually provide procedures and technology to prevent their own staff from viewing customer data through their systems.
Encryption
When data is stored on the cloud, it should be encrypted both in transit and at rest. That way, hackers can’t read the data even if they gain access to the storage server. This feature is a must if your business handles sensitive information.
Cloud service providers may also use additional security measures, including background checks for employees who have physical access to the servers that store the data. This can help to limit the number of insider attacks.
Many cloud service providers have compliance credentials, and they can comply with a wide variety of privacy standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley, and federal regulations for data handling. This helps your enterprise avoid regulatory repercussions and protect its data from loss or theft. Many of these companies offer a variety of cloud security platforms that can meet your specific needs. These platforms include identity and access management tools, CASB solutions, and advanced threat protection. Some of these tools can even detect and stop threats that might be rerouting your data to other servers or systems outside of the cloud.
Access control
With the right processes in place, you can control who has access to your cloud infrastructure and what they can do with it. You can also use security-monitoring tools to detect risks and vulnerabilities in your cloud environment.
These tools include firewalls, which are designed to prevent direct access from hackers. They typically inspect a file packet’s source and destination as well as its integrity, but the top-of-the-line ones use stable packet inspection to go even further.
Another way to control access is with identity and access management (IAM) solutions that track user privileges, ensuring that only authorized users can access data in the cloud. This is essential because a common cause of data breaches is lax authentication practices, which can lead to unauthorized changes in your cloud or even the theft of information. It is important to use strong authentication methods that require multi-factor authentication and a secure channel for communication, such as HTTPS.
Privacy
Cloud security measures include encryption to ensure that data is only readable by someone with the key. Likewise, data is protected while in transit so that hackers cannot intercept it. This applies to data that is moved from a client’s device to the cloud, from one cloud to another (such as when using multi-cloud systems), or even between servers.
Additionally, many of the largest cloud providers practice redundancy, storing the same data on multiple servers. This helps to prevent hackers from taking down a single server that contains your information. They also hire outside security companies to test their servers and software regularly, boosting the odds of finding any malicious programs.
Although traditional cloud data security issues like denial of service, shared technology vulnerabilities and CSP data loss are still important concerns, they are becoming less so as businesses focus on proper cloud service configuration and safe user habits. However, the proximity of cloud systems to other networked devices can make them susceptible to cyberattacks.
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