The dos and don’ts of Cloud Security

Cloud Security is no longer just a threat — it’s a necessity. Businesses need to have data on all files, devices, and processes so they can make informed decisions about how to protect their organization’s data. The good news is that Internet security is much more than just installing firewalls and using anti-virus software. Cloud Security provides businesses with the ability to remotely access and manage numerous data centers from one place — which means there’s no limit to the number of Cloud Security threats an organization can run into at any given time. Even though cybersecurity risks are increasing daily, most organizations don’t take the necessary precautions against Cloud Security risks. Instead, they continue operating in an environment where every file, device, and process has been scanned and classified as high risk or low risk based on security patches released recently. This process makes it nearly impossible to determine at a moment’s notice if current network threats are high risk or low risk.

What is Cloud Security?

Cloud Security is the use of software that allows an organization to remotely access and manage numerous IT resources from one location. These resources can include data centers, data systems, network hosting services, etc. Cloud Security is not just about protecting your data on the cloud. It’s about your people, the people who work for you, and your business. You need people who are up-to-date on technology, who can effectively integrate modern systems and software, and who have the wherewithal to pivot from one situation to the next with minimal disruption to the organization’s normal operations. To protect your data, you’ll need to have effective data protection procedures in place. To protect your people, you’ll also need to have effective training and policies on hand. Cloud Security provides both, and it’s the combination of these two factors that make Cloud Security so valuable to businesses.

Cloud Security Dos and Don’t

This topic is divided into five key considerations, which are discussed below. Do-enough-to-win-enough-of-the-way-through: Make sure you’re always on the right side of history. Just because a given threat has been addressed during a given period of time, that doesn’t mean that it’s gone forever. In fact, there will always be new threats and attacks that will arise at some point in the future. Do-enough-to-win-enough-of-the-way-through means that you must always be on the right side of history. This means that you must always be prepared to respond to new threats and attacks that may or may not have been addressed at one time. Don’t-take-for-granted-alternative-assignments-to-the-mission-fragments: Security patches are only as good as the patches that went into them. You can’t truly be sure that a given patch will work as intended on a server or virtual machine that holds your data. This means that you need to take every precaution possible when dealing with your data. Some of these precautions include: Get the proper security software: The end user program that runs on the computer screen needs to be Up-to-date (that is, compatible with the latest security patches). Additionally, the operating system, browser, and application used on the computer all have to be Up-to-date. This means that you will have to manually update any applications that you might have inherited from your parent company. Use up-to-date software: Additionally, be sure to keep up-to-date with the latest and greatest software as it’s released. This means that you will have to regularly check which software updates are released by your hosting company, your hosting service provider, and the like.

Cloud Security Risk Assessment

To reduce the risk of cloud security threats, organizations must: Be aware of the changes that are taking place in cyberspace: As with virtually every aspect of our daily lives, organizations must be aware of the changes that are taking place in the cyber realm. This can be a good thing, as it can help to minimize the risk that a given threat might be affecting your organization. Be creative in developing a cyber strategy: This can be done on a creative and devilishly complex level. There will always be changes that are made to keep the cyber movement moving forward, and these changes can be very challenging for organizations to navigate. Employ effective risk management processes: Finally, organizations must have effective risk management processes in place. This means that there must be ongoing monitoring of risk levels and efforts made to reduce risk. This can be done both in-house and with third-party monitoring services.

Cloud Security Best Practices

To reduce the risk of cloud security threats, organizations must: Account for cyber threats in the business strategy: Organizations must consider the potential implications of relying on any given cyber threat in their business strategies. This might include how an organization will respond to a specific cyber threat or what security patches are needed in order to protect the organization. Develop regular processes to address cyber risks: Lastly, organizations must have regular processes in place to address and control cyber risks. This includes monitoring and managing cyber threats, taking corrective actions when necessary, and implementing controls to reduce the risk of all of the above.

Summary

Cloud Security is a vital part of an organization’s security strategy. The Cloud Security landscape changes rapidly, and organizations need to be aware of the threats that are emerging in order to remain secure. However, by following these five tips, you can ensure that your organization protects its data, keeps its hackers at bay, and keeps its people safe.