Cloud platforms are often seen as the answer to data storage. But cloud services have their own security threats the users need to be aware of.
Bolstering cybersecurity to reflect your business's cloud platform should be part of your structure. We'll talk about what that security looks like here.
Types of Cloud
There are three main cloud deployment models, or how you will connect to your chosen cloud service.
- Public. You may be familiar with two of the most popular companies in this area: Amazon and Microsoft. Their cloud environments, AWS and Azure, are examples of managed cloud hosting. Public cloud solutions provide storage, making it available to many users. Users rent the program and hardware services instead of buying programs and hardware. The vendor handles maintenance, administration, troubleshooting, backups, and capacity planning.
- Private. A private cloud is like a public cloud, except it offers more control over privacy and security. Private clouds use hardware and a network that no one outside the company or organization shares.
- Hybrid. This configuration combines an on-premises data center or server and public cloud resources. Organizations can leverage the best of both environments.
Cloud Security Considerations
Moving to the cloud doesn't negate security challenges. Instead, there are certain things to consider in regards to cloud security.
Your cloud security considerations are going to vary depending on what deployment method you're working with, but in general, you should consider the following:
Security Breaches
Security breaches are not new, and cloud services' popularity has made them a target. Since the cloud often houses vital business-related data, you must take specific measures to secure your data.
Remote Work Management
As remote work continues to grow in popularity, organizations must rethink how they handle security. Since employees are accessing resources from various locations, devices, and networks, utilizing a cloud storage system with an appropriate level of device management is recommended.
Disaster Recovery
Your data may be at risk if your office suffers from a natural disaster. Utilizing offsite storage through cloud services ensures your ability to access data.
Compliance
Depending on your industry, there may be specific standards in place with which you need to comply. Compliance standards, such as HIPAA, have regulations in place for data protection, and these extend to cloud services.
These standards are essential because the cloud provider is not at fault if data is compromised. Instead, the organization utilizing the cloud is in charge of the security and will be held liable for a breach.
How to Secure the Cloud
Cloud tools are helpful for businesses, but you need to determine your priorities to find the best solution for your business.
Traditionally, cybersecurity was treated as a castle-and-moat architecture. The secrets were safe inside the castle and cybercriminals were kept outside the moat. This worked when everyone was in the office and the perimeter was easy to define.
With cloud-based systems, the "perimeter" doesn't really exist. There is no easy to define space where data can safely live. A new way of thinking is necessary. This is where zero trust becomes so important.
Enter zero trust. As a quick definition, ZTNA means everything is suspicious. There are no blanket levels of general accessibility, and each step in the process requires verification. Whenever a user or device tries to access a resource, they must identify their identity before access is granted. And even after access is granted, if another resource needs to be accessed, the verification process will start again.
Utilizing zero trust for cloud environments won't look much different than the standard zero trust set-up. That's part of what makes zero trust a great security architecture for clouds.
How Anteris Can Help
Zero trust may sound complex, but working with the right partner can make it simple.
At Anteris, we make security a top priority. As cybersecurity professionals, our security services support your business and protect your data from outside threats.
We offer our Clients private and hybrid cloud management services. Through our data center, clients can access enterprise-level hardware and security for a predictable monthly fee.
We pride ourselves on being lifelong learners. Being a security expert doesn't mean someone has learned everything they need about cybersecurity. That's impossible. It's constantly changing. We know that and recognize that cybersecurity is an ever-evolving process to assess, align, act, and keep moving forward as cybersecurity changes.
While there is no guaranteed protection against threats, we also have best practices for recovery in the event of a security breach.
Let us make your technology freeing, not frustrating.
