The digital age we live in has brought so many upgrades and advancements to web-based businesses, such as the increasing migration to cloud services and applications. The rapid adoption of cloud services offered a wide range of benefits such as reduced operational costs, enhanced collaboration, and the ability to work from home without any interruptions to resources.
With that being said, it introduced new security challenges. Another thing the digital age brought is constantly evolving cyber threats and the risks concerning sensitive data stored in the cloud. In this ultimate guide, we will provide ways to secure the assets in the cloud and help with the security concerns of the cloud environment.
What is Cloud Security?
The term cloud security refers to the set of practices that are followed specifically to secure data and applications in the cloud. Since organizations migrate to the cloud for its benefits, understanding cloud security and its key aspects becomes crucial.
Some of the common security risks that concern cloud environments are data breaches, unauthorized access to business resources, data loss, and service interruptions. One of the best ways to prevent these threats is by following a shared responsibility model, which outlines the respective security responsibilities of the cloud service provider and the customer. Check out Cisco cloud security services for more information.
Since cloud applications concern the two parties involved, it is important to understand that the provider is responsible for securing the infrastructure while customers secure their own data properly.
By understanding the risks and the shared responsibilities we mentioned, organizations can implement needed measures, prepare their environments for a cyber attack, and protect the data stored in the cloud. In the following part, we will talk about some practices that will help you have a more secure cloud environment.
Best Practices for Cloud Security
To ensure the highest level of security for your cloud data, implementing best practices in the process of cloud migration is essential. By following these, you can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach, unauthorized access, and data loss.
Data encryption and key management
Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest. This is a must in today’s digital age where data travels constantly and hackers try to pry into private communications. Use high-end encryption protocols to ensure data is always secure. Additionally, properly manage encryption keys to prevent unauthorized access. Consider getting this service from your cloud provider or another third-party vendor.
Regular data backups and disaster recovery planning
Conduct regular backups to your cloud data in order to prevent data loss in case of an emergency, and make sure they are securely stored. Again, use encryption in your backup files. Since accidental deletions or system failures might happen on the cloud provider’s system, develop a well-planned disaster recovery guide for your organization.
Monitoring and logging for suspicious activities
A detailed and effective monitoring and logging system is crucial to understand internal threats. Always track user activities, detect anomalies, and identify potential security breaches using this logging system and take measures accordingly. Regularly review user logs and set up alarms for unusual activities in your cloud environment to respond to incidents quickly.
Patch management and software updates
Follow the security patches and software updates announced by the developers of the applications, and make sure to keep them up-to-date at all times. If you do not implement security patches in time, hackers may exploit known vulnerabilities and get access to your cloud systems. That’s why updated software and patched-up systems are always better against cyberattacks.
Strong authentication and access controls
In order to minimize internal risks, implement strong authentication technologies and use advanced methods such as biometrics, one-time codes, or face recognition. Make sure that not everyone gets the same access level within the cloud environment and that permissions are determined based on roles and responsibilities. This will decrease the risk of unauthorized access to highly sensitive data.
Security awareness training for employees
End-users are the ones who will be facing common risks at the end of the day. They are the ones using cloud applications, and they might be the primary target of cybercriminals. To prevent a potential attack caused by an employee, make sure to prepare a well-planned training on cloud security best practices and how to identify security risks. This will make them stronger against social engineering attacks and other types of cyber threats.
Network segmentation
In addition to implementing access controls based on roles, make sure to segment your cloud infrastructure into smaller chunks and limit access between the different segments. This will help you minimize the attack surface in case of a cyberattack and give your IT team time to prevent the breach from compromising other segments as well. Isolation of a data breach is one of the best practices if an attack indeed happens, and network segmentation makes this job easier.
Regular security assessments and audits
As cloud security threats evolve in time and your security posture might get deteriorated, you need to conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities. Perform penetration tests frequently so your IT team can be the first one to know weaknesses in your system and take proactive measures. Also, make sure to do regular audits to evaluate your cloud provider’s security level and verify compliance with relevant industry regulations.
Final word
Cloud security involves protecting your digital resources from new and unknown risks. Traditional security measures do not always apply to the cloud so it is essential to understand the best practices for cloud security. In this guide, we wanted to list eight practices to follow that will boost the security posture of your organization. By implementing these and following a shared responsibility model with your cloud provider, you can be sure that cloud data is safe.