One of the most crucial elements for effective cloud operations is securing your cloud environment. In general, businesses are eager to use cloud solutions, however, their security concerns keep them on edge from transitioning to the cloud. This blog will cover methods for protecting your cloud operations from online dangers.

Cloud security is seen as a subset of information security and, more particularly, computer security. Controls, methods, technologies, and policies are needed to protect cloud-based systems, infrastructure, and data.

All methods are used to safeguard data, follow legal & compliance requirements, and respect customer privacy. Business owners and managers need to protect themselves from the financial, legal, and reputational effects of data loss.

Defining Cloud Security

Cloud security, which guards against unwanted access to programs and guarantees data protection, is a crucial technique used by IT professionals. The technologies and practices that protect your cloud operations from both internal and external cybersecurity threats are covered.

The global cybersecurity market size was estimated at $146.30 billion (about $450 per person in the US) in 2022 by Statista, and it is projected to grow to $192.70 billion (about $590 per person in the US) by 2028.

Enhancing Cloud Security

Maintaining the safety and security of your cloud environment is one of the most crucial stages for effective cloud operations. There is a ton of confidential information on the cloud that organizations need to protect from hackers. We have included six tips below on how to enhance and safeguard your cloud operations while utilizing the greatest procedures and resources:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 

   Traditional username and password combinations are insufficient to keep hackers out of user accounts. Stolen credentials are one of the primary methods hackers use to access your online business data and applications. MFA is the most efficient security measure to ward off hackers and stop them from accessing your cloud application. Hackers hardly ever manage to get beyond the second line of defense. This can avert a data breach and 99.9% of account compromise assaults. 

2. Observability  

   IT administrators can keep an eye on any unusual risks that might appear on the website in real-time thanks to real-time monitoring. The average global cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24M, according to UpGuard. 

   Given the size of these losses, you must use real-time cloud monitoring to protect your network from cyber-attacks. It provides you with complete network system visibility and aids in your understanding of security.

3. Security Awareness Training 

   According to PaloAlto’’s 2022 Ransomware Threat Report, phishing frauds were implicated in 32% of data breaches in 2018. Furthermore, “the installation and use of backdoors and the presence of phishing in 78 percent of Cyber-Espionage events.” By obtaining the employee’s login details or by utilizing social engineering strategies like phishing, phony websites, and bogus social media profiles, hackers can access secure information. By providing anti-phishing training, you can keep employees from falling for these tricks without jeopardizing your company’s confidential information.

4. Establish a Disciplined Off-Boarding Procedure 

   When an employee leaves the company, make sure they are properly deprovisioned. Make sure they no longer have access to your computer systems, data, cloud storage, intellectual property, and customer information. You must have a methodical off-boarding procedure in place and guarantee that all access permissions for the departing employee are quickly withdrawn. 

5. Backup Solutions 

   You can lose data from a cloud provider’s error. Therefore, having a cloud-to-cloud backup solution is always beneficial. For businesses that rely on software-as-a-service (SaaS) programs like Microsoft Office 365, and Salesforce, backup solutions are essential. 

   Businesses are increasingly utilizing cloud-to-cloud backups and SaaS apps. Beyond the fundamental data protection offered by SaaS applications, this technology enables additional data protection.

6. Identity and Access Management (IAM) 

   Data that is not stored on a private server or that is not safeguarded might be vulnerable to significant data breaches, which can result in monetary losses, harm to one’s reputation, and disclosure of confidential customer information. Using an IAM, you must establish the appropriate levels of authorization. A firm is protected against hackers by assigning access control, which also stops an employee from inadvertently modifying data that they are not permitted to access.
    

At Infinitive, our AWS Certified Cloud Practitioners help organizations protect their cloud-based data, applications, and infrastructure from cyber threats. Whether you are already in or transitioning to the cloud, these six steps are vital to keeping your cloud operations safe. Let’s explore your digital transformation strategy together by starting a conversation. In our next blog, we will clarify the principles of cloud security that your organization needs to follow to ensure your cloud is secure.