Organizations are exposed to significant new security vulnerabilities as a result of cloud computing, which frequently necessitates a new strategy for cloud security. 93% of cybersecurity experts are either very concerned about cloud security or very little so, according to the 2019 Cloud Security Report.
As a result, it’s essential to work with a cloud services provider that places a high priority on security and goes above and beyond to improve measures against data loss, risks to data privacy, and confidentiality violations. The following are the top eight considerations to make when selecting a cloud storage solution for secure data management.
1: Data Sovereignty
Verifying that data is only present at authorized sites can be challenging, as TechTarget notes. It calls for the cloud user to have entire faith in their cloud provider’s honesty and transparency regarding the location of their servers as well as their strict adherence to several level agreements (SLAs).
Verify that the cloud provider can adhere to data sovereignty laws by geo-fencing workloads running on reliable servers and having data centers all over the world.
2: Data Isolation using an Offline Gold Copy
The threat of ransomware to computer security is growing quickly. Infection is still a possibility even if your data is kept on the cloud. Data isolation offline, usually in a tape vault, is the safest defense against ransomware.
Does your cloud service provider include an offline gold copy in its suite of data management services? To accomplish so with the majority of providers, you will need to put up a distinct operation and infrastructure.
The one exception is Iron Mountain’s Iron Cloud, which has integrated offline protection as one of its service features.
3: Secure File Sharing
Make sure your file access and sharing system is safe for both users and employers to access. Identity and access controls are essential in this situation. Ensure that the proper credentials are only given to the proper individuals under the proper circumstances and are not shared with any other parties.
Teach your team about security procedures, and make sure they only request access if they are truly necessary. In this situation, let access be granted when necessary and limited afterward.
Beyond this, your cloud services provider ought to monitor file access and sharing behavior.
4: Data Encryption and Privacy
Data protection is essential because it is essential to organizations. Prioritise data security when selecting a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) by encrypting sensitive data during transmission and storage.
Check to see if the CSP conforms with local data privacy laws and uses industry-standard encryption technologies. Consider using client-side encryption to further bolster security by giving the data an additional layer of protection.
Businesses can protect their data and guarantee its security in the cloud environment by adopting these steps.
5: Insecure API
The usage of application programming interfaces (API) allows consumers to personalize their cloud experience.
However, due to the very nature of APIs, cloud security can be at risk. They authenticate users, grant access, and implement encryption in addition to enabling businesses to modify cloud service features to suit their needs.
Security threats increase when API infrastructure expands to offer better services. YouTube is a well-known and straightforward example of an API, where programmers can include YouTube videos into their websites or applications.
6: Compliance
A range of compliance capabilities is provided by cloud service providers (CSPs) to assist organizations in adhering to regulatory obligations. Access control, auditing, reporting, and encryption are a few examples of these functionalities.
However, it’s crucial to comprehend the precise compliance capabilities your CSP provides and to put in place the necessary compliance controls on your end. By doing this, you can make sure that your data complies with all applicable laws.
7: Network Security and Segmentation
Segment your cloud network appropriately, restrict access, and stop lateral movement during breaches to improve cloud security. To protect cloud resources from unauthorized access and potential cyber threats, implement strong network security measures like firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
To keep alert to new threats and vulnerabilities, it’s critical to frequently evaluate and update network security policy. Organizations can maintain a strong defensive posture and safeguard their crucial data and applications within the cloud environment by putting these practices in place.
8: Backup and Disaster Recovery
When it comes to the public cloud, backup, and disaster recovery are essential to use cases. However, to secure the integrity of backup and DR sites when recovering from cyberattacks, you must also confirm that your provider provides high availability capabilities.
For your VMware solutions in the hybrid and public clouds, be careful to question your cloud provider about recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives, and features like stretched vSAN clusters.
In The End
Business and IT leaders will likely be concerned about cloud security, which may be inevitable. It can be a little intimidating to consider entrusting your mission-critical data and applications to another business.
But in reality, by selecting a public cloud provider that prioritizes security leadership and trust, you can reduce risk—and worry.