Are you regularly using the cloud? But is your security still traditional? You need to know about Cloud Computing Security!
Most enterprises already function in the cloud environment in some capacity. With the pandemic and work-from-home, working on the cloud has become mainstream.
As the way enterprises operate has evolved, so has the nature of threats that enterprises face. And while the benefits of cloud computing are huge, it comes with its own set of risks.
Physical security at your office building and anti-virus software on devices are no longer enough. Protecting your cloud environment needs special focus.
What is Cloud Computing Security?
Cloud computing security, or cloud security, is the combination of policies, controls, technologies, and applications employed to protect your cloud environment.
These sets of security measures are aimed at protecting your data, applications, and cloud infrastructure from internal and external threats. Additionally, protecting users’ privacy and automatically maintaining compliance with industry-specific regulations are also taken care of.
Cloud Computing security has three essential components.
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Prevention Measures
Preventive measures, such as firewalls and anti-malware software, minimize vulnerability. They create a fort-like protective environment for cloud data, assets, and users. The system is protected from unauthorized users via multi-factor authentication.
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Detection Measures
These monitoring and analytical measures are aimed at locating and stopping in-progress threats. Depending on the nature of the threat, measures are deployed to eliminate the attack. Several cloud security set-ups also use intelligent threat hunting and predictive technologies to create proactive solutions.
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Correction Measures
These controls are focused on damage control and cloud remediation actions after an attack has occurred or while it’s in progress.
Why do you need Cloud Computing Security?
Businesses administrators are concerned about moving their data to the cloud. And why wouldn’t they be? We hear of sophisticated malware and phishing attacks constantly, which is scary.
Sensitive business information is the lifeline of a business and, therefore, a target for malicious forces. A survey by Ermetic reports that nearly 80% of companies working on the cloud experienced a data breach at some time or another.
Even though cyber-hacks and attacks can be trending topics, the fact is that your data is much safer on the cloud. Security and data protection are high priorities for cloud service providers.
Protection of users’ identity, information, and privacy is the cornerstone of cloud computing security. Additionally, cloud computing security focuses on preventing leaks, controlling data access, preventing attacks, and providing real-time statistical analysis of penetration attempts.
Benefits of Cloud Computing Security
1. Centralized security
Cloud computing security centralizes all security protocols in one place. Companies that operate in cloud-based networks deal with various devices and endpoints, and it is a humongous task to keep a check on shadow IT or various personal devices.
With cloud-based central management, all web traffic can be analyzed. Software and security policy updates can be made at once, and disaster recovery plans can be implemented evenly and quickly.
2. Cost efficiency
Cloud security eliminates many overhead costs that businesses have traditionally incurred. The capital investment on expensive hardware and its maintenance is eliminated with cloud services. Additionally, you receive a team of security experts working for you instead of hiring and training new employees.
3. Reliable and readily available
Cloud security measures, once effectively in place, offer solid reliability. They provide consistent safety when accessing the cloud from anywhere. They are also readily available, so you don’t have to wait for hardware delivery and set-up before starting.
4. Reduced IT and admin workload
Cloud computing security is centralized and automated. It frees up your IT and admin teams from several repetitive tasks, such as making manual updates or implementing policies across all devices.
5. Compliant with industry regulation
Effective cloud computing security programs generate reports that adhere to compliances such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27002, to name a few. Such automatic compliance goes a long way in making work more convenient.
6. Ease of scaling
Your security can easily and instantly scale with your cloud computing demands and integrate changes quickly without security risks. Cloud security also has the ability to scale up during high traffic periods and scale down during low traffic periods.
Essential Functions Performed by Cloud Computing Security
Cloud computing security in itself is an umbrella term. It encompasses all the security practices and technologies employed in protecting an organization’s cloud environment.
On a case-by-case basis, the components and functions of cloud security vary in enterprises. It depends on an organization’s security strategy, industry-specific requirements, risk and vulnerability assessments. But some components are generally found across different strategies and are an essential function in providing cloud computing security.
1. Access control for sensitive data
Access and identity management is an essential task, where access to critical data is limited to essential personnel. It includes determining who can take which action on file, such as who has permission to edit a file versus who can only read it.
2. Protection from social engineering threats
Social engineering attacks, such as phishing, capitalize on human errors. Awareness training for employees helps them be vigilant and smart when working on the cloud.
3. Data backups and disaster recovery
We’ve all forgotten to save our work at some time or the other. Cloud security software backs-up data automatically and at regular intervals. With data saved in remote servers, data safety during disasters is ensured.
4. Anti-malware and ransomware
Anti-malware, anti-virus, and protection from ransomware are core components of all security strategies. All endpoint devices are protected with the use of firewalls, URL filtering, and several other measures.
5. Event analysis and monitoring
An essential feature of a comprehensive security strategy needs real-time monitoring and detection of threats and attacks. Regular event reports are analyzed for enhanced risk and vulnerability assessment and threat prediction.
Cloud Computing Security – A need of the hour
Cloud computing security goes a step beyond just protecting your data; it protects your users’ privacy while reducing costs and easing the load off your IT and administrative teams. In the age of cloud computing, your security strategies cannot be traditional. They need to be cloud-based too!
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