Cloud Security Guidelines

Every cloud security plan is going to look different based on your business and your industry. However, there are some general rules when it comes to best practices that will help provide guidance as your work towards establishing a flexible and scalable cloud security plan. In the third installment of our series, we will take a closer look at cloud security best practices and how you can use these to shape your security plan.

1.  Partner with a Trusted Cloud Provider

The very first step in establishing solid cloud security is to partner with a trusted and reputable cloud provider. As you shop around, look for providers who offer built-in security protocols that will support your efforts to secure data and meet compliance standards. The right provider will have earned a range of security compliance certifications that are publicly advertised for maximum transparency. In addition, you want a provider who can offer a marketplace of partners so that you can shop different solutions and integrate them into your deployment for a customized security plan.

2.  Understand Your Responsibilities

When you partner with a cloud provider, you are both responsible for certain aspects of security. It is important that you understand which tasks fall to which party. You don’t want to assume that the provider is taking care of a security protocol only to discover that it was your responsibility. A reputable cloud provider will provide a transparent shared responsibility model so that you have easy access to this information.

3.  Train All Users

When it comes to cloud computing, the users can either be an asset or a liability. Well-trained users will understand and implement security practices and avoid creating unnecessary vulnerabilities. By making users aware of the dangers of poor security practices and training them to spot abnormalities that could signal malware or phishing scams, you can turn them into a powerful security tool. If you work in an industry with complex compliance standards, it may be worth investing in having an employee complete industry-specific training and earn a certification. This will provide valuable in-house oversight.

4.  Create Secure Endpoints

Cloud technology has made it easier than ever for employees to work remotely and use mobile devices to access the cloud. Oftentimes, they are using personal devices, which means they won’t automatically have extra security that may come with company owned devices. In addition, in most cases, they are using a web browser to access documents. All of these endpoints must be secured. A reputable provider will offer protections that include: antivirus tools, firewalls, mobile device security features and other detection tools that can be used to identify any breaches.

5.  Ensure Visibility of Your Cloud

Using resources on the cloud can create a fast-paced environment. This can be further complicated by the fact that many companies use multiple cloud services. These factors can affect visibility and make it difficult to avoid creating blindspots. You will want a solution that allows for maximum visibility so that you can identify risks and maintain a clear vision of the entire system.

6.  Create a Password Policy

One of the easiest things you can do to support cloud security is to create a company-wide password policy. For example, require that users change their password every 90 days and prevent simple passwords by either generating unique passwords or requiring that they are 14 characters long and include a symbol, number and one uppercase letter. Multi-factor authentication can also help prevent unauthorized access. These types of policies can go a long way in preventing attacks.

7.  Encrypt All Your Data

Whether your data is being stored or in transit, it should always be encrypted. While a provider may offer encryption services, keep in mind that going this route means that they will have access to the encryption key. You can further increase security by using your own encryption solution. Even if a malicious party is able to access your data, they won’t be able to do anything with the information.

Any business can benefit from putting these cloud security best practices into place and working with a reputable provider who will work to support your security efforts. In the next part of our series, we will take a look at one final best practice: using a Cloud Access Security Broker. Many people aren’t familiar with this tool, so we will be using the next post to take a deep dive into this option and discuss what it is and how it can help.

If you have any additional questions about cloud security and compliance, contact the experts at prancer. We offer a pre and post-deployment could validation framework for IaC that supports continuous compliance. A team member will be happy to answer all your question and get you started on the road to better cloud security and compliance.

Cloud Computing Security Plan

In this series, we will take a closer look at how to create a cloud security plan that will protect your cloud-based systems, infrastructure, and important data. A comprehensive and flexible security plan is key to protecting your clients’ information and complying with industry and governmental regulations. Security breaches can result in a loss of business along with fines. Fortunately, establishing a cloud security plan can be easier than you might think. The first step is to recognize potential threats. That is part one will take a closer look at cloud security risks.

Common Cloud Security Risks

1.   Loss of visibility

One of the major advantages of cloud computing is the ability to connect people in various locations through the use of different devices. As the workforce becomes more mobile, employees are accessing company portals and files on smartphones, tablets, and other tools. This can create a complex system that can be hard to monitor. It is easy to lose sight of who is accessing what data. If you don’t know exactly what is happening, you can’t take the necessary steps to protect data and restrict access. The right cloud security plan will take this into account and maximize visibility for relevant parties.

2.   Compliance Issues

Different industries are governed by compliance regulations that are designed to protect both businesses and clients. It is important to continue to test for compliance in order to avoid costly violations and security breaches. You must work closely with your cloud provider to ensure continuous compliance even as new people, resources, and applications are added to your cloud.

3.   Poor Security Strategies

Oftentimes, businesses make the move to the cloud too quickly. There can be a rush to migrate to the cloud and become operational before there has been enough time and energy put into creating strategies that will protect the infrastructure. While it can be tempting to move quickly, taking the time up front to create security strategies can save time and money in the long run.

4.   Contract Breaches

It is important to fully understand how your data will be stored and exactly who will have access. You may have non-disclosure agreements with clients and it is possible to upload information to the cloud that might be in violation of these agreements. This type of breach may be accidental, but it can still come with serious consequences. The first step in avoiding this risk is to make sure that you understand the terms and conditions of your cloud provider.

5.   Insider Threats

Not all security threats involve malicious outside parties trying to gain access to your infrastructure and data. Security risks also exist on the inside of the company. Employees may not intentionally violate security rules, but intention doesn’t change the results of their actions. In most cases, these incidents are the result of poor training. Employees should be well-versed in security best practices and every company should have these clearly documented in order to avoid problems.

6.   Vulnerable API

Programmers use Application Programming Interfaces (API) to create software. External APIs can create vulnerabilities in the cloud and make it easier for cybercriminals to access data. This is a security risk that should not be overlooked or underestimated.

7.   Misconfiguration

As more resources are added to the cloud, there is the potential for services to become misconfigured. Misconfiguration issues commonly occur when companies maintain default security settings and fail to update access controls. As a result, data can become exposed and unauthorized individuals will gain access to restricted areas. You can end up with manipulated and even deleted information.

No matter what size company you have or what industry you are a part of, these common cloud security risks could be putting your business in danger. Remember that the first step to creating a secure cloud environment and meeting compliance regulations is to understand existing risks. This information is vital to any security plan.

In part two of our series on cloud security, we will take a closer look at why cloud security is required and the potential consequences of poor security practices. If you have any additional questions about cloud security or compliance, contact the experts at prancer. We specialize in providing companies with cloud validation frameworks so that you can continuously test and maintain security throughout the DevOps Pipeline.