Are You Investing in Securing Your Data in the Cloud?

Traditional businesses migrating to the cloud need robust
information security mechanisms. Gartner predicts^[1]
that more than 95% of new digital workloads will continue to be
deployed on cloud-native platforms by 2025.

Robust cloud data
security^[2]
is imperative for businesses adopting rapid digital transformation
to the cloud. While a traditional hosting model could be considered
more secure, not all organizations are receptive to relinquishing
control over their infrastructure or applications by relying on a
cloud provider at an increased risk of data theft from a
cyberattack done by an outsider.

Having said so, let’s try to understand the vital part.

What is Cloud Data Security?

Cloud data security entails securing data, whether at rest or in
motion, on cloud-based infrastructure, applications, etc., against
cyber threats like data breaches, unauthorized access, DDoS
attacks, etc.

This includes the technologies, policies, controls, and services
to protect cloud-based systems, data, and infrastructure to meet
the needs of a business by configuring it to ensure that only the
people and equipment with verified credentials can gain access to
confidential data.

It ensures that sensitive data is encrypted and the right access
controls to safeguard it once it’s migrated into the cloud. This
helps protect against unauthorized employees accessing any personal
and confidential corporation data stored on remotely hosted network
drives.

The dangerous content and malicious scripts are filtered out
before serving employees or customers. Perhaps most importantly,
data is backed up if an incident or disaster strikes.

On a broader scale, the following are included when it comes to
cloud security:

• Physical networks
• Network security
• Access control
• Applications and software
• Data servers
• Regulatory compliance etc.

Implementation of cloud computing security processes should be a
joint responsibility between the business owner and the solution
provider.

However, if asked to implement strategic cloud computing
solutions that have strict operational needs, it’s vital to make
sure you have your resource planning in order by formulating strong
technological policies; monitoring response time; putting IT
support in place for contacts, fixes, enhancement, and growth
requirements; aligning usage with cost-effectiveness objectives and
so on.

How is Data Secured in the Cloud?

Never let your guard down when it comes to it, as it does not
share the same stage with Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS or
SaaS).

Also, it is impractical to assume that the cloud is totally
secured, and as a business owner, make sure it’s best always to
have someone check what’s going on in your account. It’s best never
to be too comfortable with how secure or authorized information may
be stored because there are no guarantees when you entrust it to
third parties who offer these services.

Three Key Technologies Make Data Secure in the
Cloud

1 — Cloud Firewall

Firewalls are designed to protect from malicious internet
traffic. This makes it safer for users to access their data and
applications on the net safely.

The cloud-based WAF^[3] (Web Application
Firewall) has two main parts. First, an agent sits on each server
in the cloud environment. Secondly, there is a management console
from where you can perform all the tasks of configuring the
settings of your WAF, be it adding new rules or deleting existing
ones, for example.

Whether you use a private or public cloud or set up one
yourself, installing and using our WAF across your platforms is
hassle-free and simple.

2 — Cloud Data
Encryption

Suppose a cyber attacker hacks into a company’s cloud and finds
plain data. In that case, the attacker can carry out attacks at
their leisure: they could leak your sensitive information to damage
your reputation or, worse still, sell this information to other
malicious actors so that it could be used against you.

Encrypting data is an important process because, if done
correctly, it can prevent your information from being hacked or
uncovering private information while in transit.

To engage in encryption successfully, you need to follow certain
steps. First and foremost, the code needs to be altered using a
cipher that changes regularly. The key to this kind of encryption
is the right keys used when encrypting information and decrypting
sensitive data.

3 — Identity and Access Management
(IAM)

Identity Access Management or IAM products are designed to store
and track information relevant to user identification and each
account’s level of access, status, and digitally stored
credentials. This information keeps malicious security threats off
a network by verifying each user’s authorization attempting to
access it.

Cloud Data Protection – 5 Top Benefits

The business advantage of cloud protection comes in many forms.
Here are the 5 key advantages of cloud data protection:

1 — Round-the-clock
Visibility

The best cloud data security solutions make it easy to monitor
your application and cloud-based assets 24/7.

2 — DDoS Protection

A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is designed to
flood web servers and deny access to users attempting to visit the
site. This is done by overloading the web host system with many
requests, which can bring the target down if it’s overwhelmed by
too much traffic.

By installing AppTrana WAF^[4], a fully managed Web
Application Firewall, you can handle various attack types by
identifying and patching vulnerabilities instantly, thereby
determining what is required to quell an attack and always ensure
available data.

3 — Data Security

Cloud computing security policies are like locks on a building
door. The better the lock, the more likely it is to keep people out
when you are not around. The same is true for your confidential
information. It would help to encrypt it so that hackers can’t read
it.

Cloud data security relies on protocols and policies like strong
access controls and data encryption to protect confidential
information from unauthorized entities.

4 — Advanced Threat
Detection

Cyber threats considered advanced have to include certain
parameters in qualifying as advanced truly. For example, suppose a
cyber threat (ransomware, zero-days or malware, etc.) is created to
gain unauthorized access to a vulnerable network. The attackers
have unlimited tools and resources (meaning no features have been
built into them to prevent potential breaches). In that case, this
qualifies as an advanced type of attack.

Cloud computing security closes the security gaps with end-point
scanning, and global threat intelligence. Thereby you can detect
threats more easily.

5 — Regulatory
Compliance

Cloud-based businesses need to be aware of data protection laws
in the countries their business works with and the cyber risks they
face to avoid creating industry & location-Specific Regulations
mess that could impact their revenue and reputation.

A big benefit of using managed cloud security services is having
expert assistance in risk management and compliance programs. A
cloud-based managed security service is not only there to perform
on-demand audits of your servers and data, but it’s also there to
offer improvements in existing and emerging laws impacting
privacy.

Conclusion

Akin to data in your laptop’s hard disk, Data security on the
cloud is a top priority for organizations today. But that doesn’t
mean that you can be complacent when protecting your infrastructure
– especially considering how much there is to manage, like web
applications and APIs, and keeping your network secure.

With robust web application security solutions, your business
would be able to protect itself from widespread cyber threats with
more peace of mind without worrying about hackers breaking into
your system and stealing your company secrets.