There is no debate that cloud computing provides effective scalability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. However, the growing reliability of cloud-based platforms for storing and processing sensitive data is essential for implementing robust cloud security measures to handle issues with cloud security.
The results of cloud security breaches are often destructive, resulting in significant data loss, reputational harm, and financial damages. Reportedly there were around 82% of data breaches that involved the cloud data. It formed a stark reminder that companies should implement extensive security measures for protecting their cloud space proactively. In our post today, we are going to explore the important cloud security best practices for managing third party risk that can boost the entire security posture.
Importance of Cloud Security
Businesses today are mainly adopting cloud-based platforms for their mission-based workloads due to the efficiency and flexibility offered by the cloud compared to the traditional data centers with third and fourth parties involved in your network. The main concern for an organization while heading towards the digital transformation of the cloud is security, as cloud security includes a notable shift from traditional security solutions and approaches. Additionally, the involvement of third and fourth-party vendors and suppliers leads to the growth in malware attacks and data breaches happening on the cloud, and these attack vectors are growing daily. Better knowledge about cloud security with effective third party risk management in position can help safeguard your cloud-hosted workloads.
Cloud Security Best Practices
Whenever companies are making their initial foray into the cloud, there are a couple of non-negotiable considerations regarding cloud security and its importance in business.
Perform Vulnerability Assessment and Remediation
It would be best to always implement cyber risk assessment and remediation to safeguard the workloads against malware and virus attacks. The service should be able to support the workloads deployed in the containers. Try considering a risk management solution that would constantly scan the workloads for risks, compile reports while presenting the outcomes in dashboards, and auto-remediate the issues.
Implement a Zero Trust Approach
Zero Trust or assumed breach is the approach that enables cloud security. It comprises not assuming any trust between the services even when they are within the security perimeter of the company. The core principles of the Zero Trust approach involve segmentation and not enabling less communication between varied services under an application. Only the authorized identities are used for this kind of communication. Any communication taking place in an application or with external resources should be effectively monitored, analyzed, and logged for different anomalies. It implicates admin activities, too. Here, you would adopt the native or third-party logging and monitoring tools.
Implement a Cybersecurity Training Program
There are numerous tools available for safeguarding the cloud from the varied types of adversaries; however, there are numerous security leaders who have realized that it is always better to be proactive regarding cybersecurity. The best starting point is to incorporate cybersecurity into the culture of the company and make it the top priority for the employees and other stakeholders for the implementation of extensive security training programs for the employees. Also, ensure that the program includes the core details about the common adversaries in the industry and how they are performing the attacks.
Furthermore, try incorporating distinctive training mainly streamlined at identifying the phishing attempts since phishing is the common way in which hackers gain unauthorized access to the network of the company and possibly the key information or data.
Conduct Penetration Testing
Along with performing risk assessments, companies should conduct penetration testing, which is often known as pen testing. Conducting these pen tests can help determine whether the company’s security measures are sufficient to safeguard its applications and environment. It is even known as ethical hacking since white hat hackers will act as adversaries to simulate real-world attacks.
Encrypt your Data
Cloud data encryption is important to bring about a robust cloud security strategy. It enables secure and seamless data flow among the cloud-based applications while concealing it against unauthorized users. Data should stay encrypted in the cloud, and whenever it is in transit, try to ensure its optimal protection. There are cloud providers offering services for data encryption. Some of them are free, while others come with a cost; however, whichever type of solution you decide on pursuing, ensure that you are using it in the current processes to avoid bottlenecks and other inefficiencies.
Implement an Incident Response Plan
Whenever matters come to cybersecurity, the companies have their incident response plan in the time of a breach, which is equipped to remediate the situation, recover for the loss of data, and avoid operational disruptions. The incident response plans are often designed to ensure that your security systems are acting efficiently in the moment of an attack. Consider a plan that works under a remediation framework that should consist of strict responsibilities and roles, allowing every member to know what they would do in this kind of situation. Allow notifications that notify your team as soon as the breach happens.
Conclusion
The different specifics of cloud computing would lead to complications in cyber security. Extensive attacks would come, and the lack of visibility into the challenging cloud space would elevate the chance of your cloud account being compromised, successful phishing attacks, and malicious insider activities.
