The world is undergoing rapid a digital transformation, and cloudification is also an important part of this transformation. As per Statista, over 60% of all corporate data is stored in the cloud as of 2022. The increased use of the cloud and rapid cloud migration have also raised security-related concerns. This concern is important too. With a rise in the number of businesses adopting the cloud, more and more data will be at risk if cloud security is not taken seriously.
The discipline and practice of securing cloud environments, applications, data, and information are referred to as cloud security or cloud computing security. Cloud security involves protecting cloud environments against unauthorized access, distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks, hackers, viruses, and other threats. Although cloud security refers to security in cloud settings, cloud-based security is the software as a service (SaaS) delivery model of security services that are hosted in the cloud instead of implemented through on-premise hardware or software.
Cloud Security Challenges: Most Security Professionals Are Finding It Hard to Deal With
According to the TripWire Survey, 76% of cybersecurity experts have found it difficult to manage cloud-related security challenges. A recent Lacework analysis highlights the problems that developers and security professionals have when dealing with cloud security concerns. According to the survey, just one out of every three developers feels that the time they invest in cloud security is productive.
According to these statistics and reports, security experts are struggling to deal with cloud security concerns. The following are some of the common challenges that have hindered the cloud security environment.
Lack of Visibility
One of the biggest challenges for security pros is gaining complete access to the cloud computing system and its data. According to an Ixia study of 338 IT security professionals, less than 20% believed they had complete insight into cloud systems and data packets. According to the same research, 87% of respondents thought that the cloud computing system's lack of visibility led to the complexity of data security threats.
Because several cloud services are used outside of corporate networks as well as through third parties, it's easy to miss the sight of how and by whom your data is being viewed.
Lack of Proper Tools to Manage, Detect, and Prevent Cloud Security Threats
Businesses have only provided mediocre tools that are ill-equipped to combat security tools. A flawless cloud security product should be well-positioned to provide an immediate and clear view of all potential security risks that a business confronts across its cloud computing infrastructure and resources.
Web Application Firewalls, misconfiguration monitors, access control tools, and biometric authentication technologies are good for
verifying users' identities and should be accessible to a business. However, SSL certificates, which are a core data encryption tool, are crucial. As a result, security professionals no longer need to be concerned about data security as it moves between cloud storage platforms.
Misconfigurations
In 2019, incorrectly configured assets were responsible for 86% of all records that were compromised, making unauthorized insider access a primary concern for cloud computing systems. It's possible to make an error in setup by, for example, keeping the administrator passwords set to their defaults or failing to provide proper privacy settings.
C-Suite and Cloud Security: Key Strategies
Walking a Thin Line
Never forget that for corporate leaders, it is a continuous challenge to safeguard current revenues and generate a profit by balancing successful business investments with (unprofitable) security investments. They might perceive it as an additional cost, but you must explain why native public cloud security is insufficient and why the obligation to protect their own data cannot be neglected. Data kept on the cloud is no more secure than data maintained elsewhere in the organization. As a result, it is essential to execute extra, targeted security measures in order to fully integrate cloud security protocols with the rest of your security architecture and automate security operations wherever possible.
Consistency Is the Key
Cloud security isn't any different from other types of cybersecurity, so a consistent strategy to maintain security across the whole company, irrespective of where information or applications reside, is necessary. Managing and orchestrating different security methodologies and solutions complicates the security environment, increasing the possibility of errors and vulnerabilities. Emphasize the significance of a consistent, strategic approach to cybersecurity in general.
Make It Visual
While discussing concerns about cybersecurity, non-tech savvy-board members usually drop out. Instead, use their language and structure the discussion around business risk. Highlight how the cloud is just another risk that must be addressed and help board members understand the reality and possible consequences of security issues. For example, show them how common data breaches or loss situations have resulted in CEOs apologizing to the public. This should spark their interest. The idea is to address cloud and cyber risk like any other risk by finding gaps and managing them to the most significant degree possible.
Why Do Businesses Need Cybersecurity Mesh for Cloud Security?
According to Fortune, the worldwide cybersecurity industry will exceed USD 375 billion by 2029. Organizational resources are becoming more likely to be situated outside of an organization's localized security zone, and growth patterns indicate that enterprises of all sizes must be nimble enough to scale quickly without risking network security.
As an organization grows beyond its physical boundaries, each node has become a possible access point that could be utilized to compromise the entire network. Hackers are increasingly launching attacks like ransomware and other types of malware through these insecure access points. The annual cost of such attacks is estimated to be approximately $6 trillion and growing.
The most practical and adaptive solution to dealing with these dangers in an enterprise-level organization is
cybersecurity mesh. It extends security throughout your architecture, allowing you to safeguard all systems and access points with a single, unified set of technologies. A cybersecurity mesh can also develop when new threats arise since it is driven by the most recent threat intelligence.
Enterprises require cybersecurity mesh to support core business operations such as:
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Making use of third-party applications and services
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Creating new distribution channels
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Introducing new initiatives
How can you Improve Cloud Security Hygiene?
We believe we understand the concept of hygiene, but how about cloud security hygiene? Although our computers don't have teeth to brush, that concept provides a starting point for a different view of security hygiene. If you have a task that you must complete on a regular basis, you must complete it everywhere. It is not acceptable to clean your teeth just once a year or to brush only the front teeth. Similarly, you cannot patch software or verify your security setups just once a year or simply for your most visible systems.
Suggestions for smarter and more systematic cloud security hygiene:
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Sort the categories of cloud coverage
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Determine the range of your controls.
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Consider the situation within your cloud.
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Cancel the confidence!
Least Privilege Access for Cloud Security
The POLP (Principle of Least Privilege) also known as POLP, is an essential security principle. When it comes to public cloud security, the Principle of Least Privilege approach states that all identities, both human and non-human, should be permitted the least amount of access necessary to carry out their respective tasks. Moreover, an often overlooked guideline is that those identified should provide access for just the period required to fulfill their mission.
Why should you consider implementing Least Privilege?
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Protect Against Risks
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Limit Damage
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Classify Data
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Improve Security
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Reduce Liability
Must-Have Cloud Computing Security Features
Companies of all sizes must be hyper-vigilant when it pertains to cybersecurity, regardless of whether they utilize traditional on-premises technology or cloud-based infrastructure. Businesses are at the mercy of hackers due to slow responses to cyber-attacks and ineffective security measures.
According to Economist data, "the average duration between an attacker breaching a network and its owner discovering the intrusion is 205 days." During that period, hackers can cause immeasurable damage to the company and its consumers.
The issue is that putting in place robust security features might be cost-prohibitive for the organization making the investment. Utilizing a cloud service provider can reduce the substantial upfront capital costs associated with cutting-edge cyber security measures.
Must-have cloud computing security features are as follows:
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Top-of-the-Line Perimeter Firewall
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Intrusion Detection Systems with Event Logging
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Internal Firewalls for Individual Applications and Databases
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Data-at-Rest Encryption
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Tier IV Data Centers with Excellent Physical Security
Closing Lines
Since most businesses already use cloud services in some way or another, cloud security has become a necessity. Gartner predicted that the worldwide market for public cloud services would rise 23.1% in 2021, reflecting the rapid pace of adoption of these services.
Protecting data and business data, like customer orders, confidential design blueprints, and financial records is a critical component of cloud security. Preventing data breaches and theft is crucial for retaining your customers' confidence and safeguarding the assets that lead you to a competitive edge.
FAQ
What is the most reliable form of cloud computing security?
Encryption is among the most effective ways to protect your cloud computing platforms. There are numerous ways to use encryption, and they can be provided by a cloud provider or by a separate cloud security solutions supplier.
How is cloud security provided?
To safeguard your data, cloud service providers employ a variety of approaches. Firewalls are an essential component of cloud infrastructure. Firewalls safeguard the edge of your network security as well as your end users. Firewalls also protect traffic between various cloud-based apps.
What are the three most important areas of cloud security?
Below are the key areas for cloud computing security. If your cloud provider's solution lacks security in any one area, your company's important data might be at risk.
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Physical Security
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Software Security
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Infrastructure Security