Types of cloud security

Cloud environments demand continuous maintenance, making cloud security essential to your enterprise’s overall security measures. Security is a shared responsibility between cloud providers and users.

• Provider-based security: Cloud providers secure physical data centers and network architecture.
• Customer-based security: As the user, you’ll implement security controls within your virtual cloud environments.
• Service-based security: Security measures are implemented within cloud services as shared responsibilities.

Cloud security vs. cloud network security

Both cloud security and cloud network security aim to protect systems from cyber threats. However, their focus differs. Cloud security secures everything in the cloud environment, including applications, networks, servers, and containers. Cloud network security solely protects networks from unauthorized access, modifications, or misuse.

Types of cloud security solutions

Standard cloud security solutions include:

• Security incident and event management (SIEM) is a cybersecurity technology that monitors cloud environments and then alerts the responsible parties about any unusual activity that could compromise the data.
• Identity and access management (IAM) uses strategies like multi-factor authentication to make sure the right people have the right access to cloud-based data.
• Public key infrastructure (PKI) ensures the security of your network and devices by establishing barriers, such as encryption and VPNs, between data access and visibility in cloud environments.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity (DRBC) involve measures such as establishing backups and setting up frameworks that test the validity of the backups to ensure that you can recover all your data in case a technical disaster hits.

Importance of cloud security

Cloud security offers several benefits:

• Convenience: Gain a centralized security solution you can access anytime, anywhere.
• Reduced costs: Cloud providers often include security services with their packages, eliminating upfront costs for hardware and software.
• Compliance: Security measures use certified cloud environments to simplify compliance for organizations.
• Threat protection: Get protection against security threats with specialized mitigation techniques.
• Data protection: Encrypt data and gain backup and disaster recovery capabilities.

How to secure your cloud computing

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends a six-step framework to secure your cloud:

1. Utilize cloud provider security by understanding and tailoring r security policies to your organization’s needs. Always use multi-factor authentication and strong passwords to keep your data secure.
2. Frequently audit cloud storage to track data location and identify misconfigurations.
3. Minimize data storage by storing only what’s essential and ensuring you erase data properly when you no longer need it.
4. Encrypt data you don’t use frequently, such as backups or archives.
5. Respond to security warnings from cloud providers or security researchers, especially regarding exposed data.
6. Maintain your security by developing and implementing a written plan to ensure data security throughout its lifecycle.

Learn about system monitoring services at Agio

When it comes to matters of cloud security, don’t settle for less. Partner with experts who can ensure peace of mind by proactively monitoring your systems. Contact Agio today to learn how you can improve your cloud security.