Tips on Improving Cyber Security in the Cloud

September 10, 2018

For those who once claimed they’d have nothing to do with the cloud, they’re quickly finding that stance no longer holds any value — they’re actually flocking to cloud-based solutions. One of the biggest barriers to embracing the cloud was security, and while those fears have largely been placated, there are still reasons to be concerned about cyber security.
In fact, threat levels, according to a Cloud Threat Report from KPMG, are quite high. The report concludes that around a fifth of those surveyed are under attack on a daily basis, and half of those can lay claim to losing money because of them.
For those that have embraced cloud-based solutions and had their sensitive data stored there, some have pulled back, migrating that data to servers that are not cloud-based.
Gaining Security in the Cloud

Cloud services with cyber security safeguards might include several standards and controls, such as the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) certification. FedRAMP is a government-wide program providing a standardized approach to security assessment, monitoring and authorization for cloud products and services.
Just about every organization in KPMG’s survey said they conduct cyber security reviews of their public cloud service providers prior to jumping on board with them, which is a positive step in being proactive in fighting cyber criminals. However, there is still an expectation that cloud solutions customers will secure their software, identities and data in the cloud, as this is not a something the cloud provider usually offers.
What the Provider Offers
Application programming interfaces (APIs) are often provided through the cloud service partner, which will reveal various functions. Most partners will also offer some security services, but again, the accountability lies on the users when it comes to maintaining a higher level of cyber-security-related solutions.
The safest route to take is to act like you’re protecting an on-premise server/network, even though it’s a cloud-based environment. The rub is that it’s often difficult to replicate cyber security solutions in the cloud as one would for an on-premise environment. Piling on top of that is the fact that exposing sensitive data is not difficult, whether it’s through simple user error (clicking on the wrong things, most often in a phishing email) or a malicious intruder. Educating everyone who has access to the sensitive data on how it is often compromised can ensure they don’t make silly mistakes.
Taking the Next Step
Preventative solutions aren’t enough — you have to have the tools to monitor any suspicious activity and make sure you’re detecting abnormalities before they sink your organization.
You can use embedded security solutions specifically for the cloud. You can use controls to encrypt your information as well as segregate duties in the database. Furthermore, utilizing Identity as a Service (IDaaS) or data auditing can significantly increase your level of protection against cyber criminals.
At Access Tech, we’re committed to offering layer upon layer of cyber security solutions. For organizations that want end-to-end support, contact us and let’s talk about how we can give you the competitive advantage.

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