Cloud security has become essential for businesses of all sizes. More companies now use cloud services for storage, applications, or infrastructure. Cloud platforms help businesses grow quickly, run smoother, and protect their data while potentially automating threat responses.
But storing your data in the cloud does come with risks. You need to make sure your business information stays safe—whether it's your own company secrets or your clients' private details. Let's explore what cloud security is, the risks involved, and best practices to protect your valuable data.
What is cloud security?
Cloud security refers to the tools and procedures used to protect data stored in the cloud from potential threats. This data is stored and managed on servers hosted by third-party service providers. Every business should have a detailed cloud security plan to prevent data breaches and outline solutions if an attack or unauthorized access occurs. A good plan specifies user privileges (identity and access management), data recovery procedures, and other protection measures like encryption. Some organizations use multi-cloud environments where data is distributed across various cloud applications and interfaces, potentially creating more secure data management.
Common cloud security risks
Many security challenges faced by cloud users are similar to those in traditional data centers. All organizations need to watch for system design vulnerabilities while ensuring proper authentication procedures prevent unauthorized access. In the cloud, these concerns multiply because you likely share storage and computing resources with other companies, leaving your data exposed if their systems are compromised. Security responsibility falls on both providers and the organizations using their services. Ultimately, it's your responsibility to ensure your data remains secure. The Cloud Security Alliance recommends using multifactor authentication and data encryption whenever data is transmitted or stored outside your organization.
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) serve as intermediaries between cloud providers and users, helping maintain data privacy and providing guidance when issues arise.
Let's look at some specific cloud security risks:
Physical security concerns
One major advantage of cloud computing is virtualization, which lets organizations expand their data capacity without worrying about physical space. The cloud provider handles physical data center maintenance, but this means organizations don't have direct physical access to their servers. Microsoft Azure uses two-factor authentication, video surveillance, and regular access reviews at its physical data centers. However, these measures can't prevent server seizure by security services, regardless of whether your organization is the target.
Multitenancy risks
Multitenancy is a key feature of public clouds. Your data likely sits alongside data from other companies—potentially even competitors. This shared environment means your organization's data could be compromised due to another company's security failure. For instance, poorly designed access controls in another tenant's application could expose your company's data, especially when multiple tenants' information is stored in the same tables. To address this risk, some providers like Amazon Web Services offer dedicated servers (or "instances") that put all a client's data on dedicated hardware.
API vulnerabilities
APIs connect your systems to cloud services. Think of your data as a library and an API as the library card giving another company access. You need to ensure these "cards" only provide access to sections you want them to see while restricting the rest. The convenience and widespread use of APIs also creates potential security threats. As more third-party systems use APIs, the risk increases that a security flaw far removed from your system could compromise your data. This makes stringent security measures even more important, especially in regulated industries.
Misconfigurations
Misconfiguration happens when someone sets up computing assets incorrectly in ways that don't adequately secure cloud data. These errors often create loopholes for breaches, allowing attackers to successfully access systems. Inadequate access restrictions can put your business at risk of exposing confidential data. To minimize misconfigurations, ensure only experts set up your cloud assets and use specialized tools to verify security configurations whenever setting up cloud servers.
Insider threats
Cloud providers manage data for many different companies, making it crucial that administrators and contractors maintain the integrity of customer data.
Insider threats include not just current or former employees who intentionally misuse systems, but also inexperienced workers who accidentally cause problems. For example, a network administrator might accidentally delete important data when migrating between databases.
Whether malicious or unintentional, the effects can be serious. Cloud providers must properly vet and train workers, while clients should encrypt their data and maintain logging and auditing systems.
Compliance challenges
When choosing a cloud provider, customers must ensure the service level agreement (SLA) covers all security and compliance requirements. SLA terms vary by service type: IaaS (infrastructure as a service) agreements typically assign more responsibility to the customer, while SaaS (software as a service) agreements usually make software and data the provider's responsibility. PaaS (platform as a service) agreements fall somewhere in between.
For regulated industries, cloud computing adds complexity. Any cloud solution must comply with relevant regulations like HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley, PCI-DSS, or GDPR. While providers must ensure their systems work under these regulations, clients are responsible for choosing compliant providers and monitoring audit trails, recovery services, and record-keeping.
Popular cloud providers
The growing adoption of cloud services has led to many different service providers. The options vary based on your specific security needs, including private cloud solutions (used by one organization), public cloud solutions (shared among multiple users), hybrid models (combining both), and multi-cloud systems. Some popular providers include:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Google Cloud Microsoft Azure Box BT OneDrive
Best practices for cloud security
There are many ways to secure your cloud data, from limiting access control to using encryption. Here are some effective cloud security best practices:
Infrastructure cloud security
This refers to how your cloud security systems work, specifically the servers and networks storing your data. You can choose a public cloud model (shared space for different users), a private cloud model (dedicated to one user), or a hybrid model combining both. Each offers unique security advantages.
Credential management tools
These tools help organizations manage who can access their secure data. Passwords are a common example. Credential management ensures only authorized users can access sensitive information, helping validate users and protect data.
In-transit encryption
This protects data as it moves between two services or between your business and cloud providers. Before transmission, data is encrypted and the endpoint authenticated. Upon arrival, it's decrypted and verified.
Data-at-rest encryption
Data at rest encryption (DARE) protects information that doesn't travel through networks, like data sitting on a hard drive. This ensures stored data remains encrypted so unauthorized people can't access it.
Zero-knowledge authentication
Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) authentication lets users prove they have proper credentials without actually transmitting those credentials. It's a form of encryption where each user has a unique access key not shared with others.
Client-side encryption
With client-side encryption, data is encrypted from the client server and stays encrypted until it reaches the destination. This prevents unauthorized file access and data loss.
Ransomware protection
Phishing emails are a common ransomware distribution method, where scammers try to get you to download malware-containing files. Anti-ransomware software is essential protection. However, it's also important to avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading files without verifying they're from legitimate sources.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA requires multiple forms of identification before allowing access to protected data. This might include a password, security token, specific location, and more. Adding multiple hurdles significantly improves data protection.
Regular cloud backups
With increasing cyberattacks, cloud backups are essential for recovering lost or stolen data. Setting up automatic, periodic backups ensures that data lost through file corruption or attacks can be easily retrieved.
Weekly security audits
Regular security audits help assess potential risks and mitigation measures. Weekly audits help detect security breaches early, giving you time to address threats before they cause serious damage.
Employee security training
Employee security training is crucial for protecting data. Regular sessions keep your team updated on company security practices, current threats, security issues, and policies. Employees should also understand General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) for properly managing customer data.
General digital security training
Both managers and employees should receive regular digital security training. This can include risk assessment, management practices, the latest security trends, and available security tools.
User activity monitoring
Continuously monitoring your cloud storage system is vital for keeping data secure from unauthorized users. Limit data access to only necessary users and ensure they know the latest digital security practices.
Robust off-boarding processes
When employees leave, a detailed off-boarding process prevents continued access to sensitive data. Deactivate their access on their last day and change any universal codes or passwords they knew.
Anti-phishing training
Phishing scams are common cybercrimes involving emails with suspicious links designed to access your data. Anti-phishing training helps employees identify these emails and respond appropriately. Some companies test employees by sending fake phishing emails, requiring security training for those who click the links.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an extra security layer by requiring users to provide additional information beyond username and password. This makes unauthorized access much more difficult. An example is entering a code sent to your phone after submitting your password.
Conclusion
Cloud security is essential for protecting your business data against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. It's not a one-time setup but an ongoing process requiring constant vigilance, regular updates, and proper training. A comprehensive cloud security strategy should address all potential vulnerabilities while balancing accessibility and protection. As businesses continue to migrate more operations to the cloud, security must remain a top priority. By implementing the best practices outlined in this guide and staying informed about emerging threats, organizations can enjoy the benefits of cloud computing while minimizing risks to their sensitive data.
Remember, the responsibility for cloud security is shared between providers and users. Taking proactive steps to secure your cloud environment is an investment that protects not just your data, but your business reputation and customer trust as well.
