Cloud security refers to the procedures, policies, and technologies organizations use to protect cloud-based applications, infrastructure, and data from data breaches, unauthorized access, and cyberattacks.
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Organizations today have massive amounts of data and software stored and running in the cloud—all of which needs to be protected from insider threats and external attacks.
There is no single thing that is “the cloud.” The term refers to cloud computing architectures that combine the resources of multiple computer environments to store data and host databases, software applications, and other services.
There are four basic types of cloud environments: public clouds, which anyone can use or subscribe to; private clouds, which are custom-built for a particular business, group, or organization; community clouds, which are shared by several related businesses, government agencies, or other entities; and hybrid clouds, which combine any two or three of the other models.
Because cloud environments are “distributed” (meaning their components are spread out and networked together), they need their own unique and particular approaches to security.
Cloud Computing - Cloud Service Models
Cloud computing is the practice of accessing software, databases, and computing resources over the internet rather than relying solely on local hardware. This approach allows businesses to scale efficiently by outsourcing part or all of their infrastructure management to external cloud providers.
Some of the most commonly used cloud computing services include:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The IaaS model enables a company to build its own virtual Data Center (vDC). A virtual data center offers cloud-based resources in lieu of the physical benefits a traditional data center can provide. There's no need for regular maintenance, updates, or servicing physical machines with a virtualized data center.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The PaaS model provides a variety of options that allow customers to provision, deploy, or create software.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
With the SaaS model, customers are provided with software that doesn’t require the use of a computer or server to build it on. Examples include Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) and Gmail. With these options, customers only need a computer, tablet, or phone to access each application. Businesses use a variety of terms to highlight their products, from DRaaS (disaster recovery) to HSMaaS (hardware security module) to DBaaS (database) and, finally, XaaS (anything). Depending on what a company is marketing, it can be difficult to determine whether a product is SaaS or PaaS, but in the end, understanding a cloud provider’s contractual responsibilities is more important. Cloud providers extend their contracts to add security on cloud formations through services such as HSMaaS (hardware security module) or DRMaaS (digital rights management).
Cloud Deployment Models
Cloud deployment models define how cloud services are managed and accessed based on an organization's needs. Each model has different levels of control, scalability and security, making it essential to choose the right one based on business objectives.
The four deployment models are:
Public cloud
An infrastructure that is open for use by the general public or a large industry group, it operates on a multi tenant model; multiple users from different organizations access the service at the same time.
Available to anyone for purchase. The best examples today are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Private cloud
This is built for one company, and the hardware is not shared with anyone else. The private model could be built on a public cloud or within your own data center, or at a business that specializes in building private clouds, that is, a managed service provider and is inaccessible to those outside of the organization as it operates on a single-tenant model; only an organization’s employees can access the private cloud for different operational needs.
Community
This involves the concept of sharing between businesses. Service can be shared, or data can be shared on that service. One example might be government-built clouds shared by multiple agencies.
Hybrid cloud
This involves using at least two of the three deployment models listed above: public and private, private and community, or public and community. For example, with both private and public, it allows to pare the dependable nature of the private cloud and the on-demand capacity of the public cloud.
It is ideal for businesses that provide services or offer products.
Cloud security VS Traditional security
Cloud security architectures bring together a mix of security and cybersecurity tools, measures, and technologies to protect cloud computing assets and information. These measures include traditional firewalls, anti-malware defenses, and intrusion detection systems (IDS) as well as cloud-specific defenses like multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems, Cloud-Native Application Protection Programs (CNAPPs), cloud-based firewalls, cloud container security systems, and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs).
Cloud security enables organizations to safeguard cloud environments through a combination of rigorous access controls and security policies, advanced threat detection and response measures, and the latest AI security and AI cybersecurity tools, technologies, and best practices.
Unlike traditional security measures, which protect physical on-site IT systems and data, cloud security focuses on securing an organization’s cloud-based data, services, tools, and applications from a wide range of cyber threats. This includes safeguarding cloud environments from threats like:
- Unauthorized access attempts
- Hacks and data breaches
- Malware, ransomware, and spyware attacks
- Insider threats
- Phishing schemes
- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
What are the key aspects of cloud security?
While cloud security platforms can look very different from one cloud environment, organization, or industry to another, most all-in-one (AIO) cloud security solutions rely on a core set of essential features, tools, and technologies to provide the best possible protection. These include:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls—tools that manage and control user access to cloud-based systems, services, and assets.
- Data security and protection—security measures like tokenization, secure key management, and data encryption to safeguard cloud data both at rest and in transit from data breaches, hacks, and other unauthorized access attempts.
- Infrastructure security—tools like web application firewalls (WAFs), network security groups (NSGs), and intrusion detection systems (IDS) that protect cloud infrastructures from cyber risks, cyber threats, and cyberattacks.
- Threat detection and response—tools such as security information and event management (SIEM) solutions, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and rapid incident response strategies that monitor cloud environments for signs of weakness, scan continuously for suspicious or malicious activities, and proactively defend cloud resources against cyberattacks in real time.
- Regulatory compliance—cloud security frameworks that protect sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information and make sure any sensitive data that’s stored in the cloud is in full compliance with all applicable industry and government laws and regulations.
- Secure software development—the process of integrating cloud security tools and technologies throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) to protect and secure cloud-based programs and applications against being stolen, infiltrated, or corrupted.
- Container security—tools like advanced image scanning, policy-based admission controls, and runtime threat detection and response to protect cloud-native container security applications including platforms, application layers, and runtime hosts.
- Cloud security posture management (CSPM)—solutions that provide continuous and comprehensive visibility into cloud assets and resources to flag any potential gaps, vulnerabilities, or misconfigurations for security teams to deal with and help fortify an organization’s cloud security posture.
- Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM)—tools that centralize cloud identity management, user permissions, and access controls in a single solution to enhance cloud security and reduce the risk of accidental and intentional insider threats.
- Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB)—mechanisms that monitor, control access to, and enforce company security policies for cloud services to enhance visibility into cloud environments and protect any data that’s stored in the cloud.
Incorporating these measures as part of a comprehensive cloud security strategy can help safeguard vital cloud-based assets, services, and data from bad actors, and protect organizations’ business relationships and reputations.
What are the main risks and challenges of cloud security?
In spite of recent advances in cloud security and the many advantages offered by cloud computing, there are a number of risks and challenges organizations need to consider when securing their cloud environments. These include:
- Larger and more complex attack surface—cloud environments have a vastly larger and more interconnected attack surface than physical computing networks, which could present bad actors with numerous vulnerabilities to exploit, be difficult to defend, and which generally have no clearly defined perimeter to protect.
- Lack of visibility and control—third-party cloud storage services can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, power outages, and other disruptions that could compromise an organization’s visibility into, access to, and control of its own cloud data.
- Risk of data breaches—cloud data breaches can result in significant financial losses, lost productivity, long-term reputational harm, and possibly even legal ramifications.
- Vulnerability to misconfigurations—misconfigurations in cloud services and security settings like non-secure passwords or outdated user permissions can expose sensitive or confidential cloud data to unauthorized access or theft, and leave cloud environments vulnerable to malware attacks, phishing schemes, DDoS attacks, and other cyber threats.
- Risk of non-compliance—cloud environments represent another key area that must be protected and secured to prevent data loss, mitigate cyberattacks and breaches, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations concerning data privacy.
- Insider threats—whether accidental or intentional, insider threats can compromise an organization’s data and pose a serious risk to cloud security.
Why is cloud security important?
The vast majority of organizations today rely on the cloud as an essential part of doing business—to back up important documents, develop and test software, send and receive emails, or serve their clients. As a result, it’s essential for businesses in virtually every industry to make sure they have the necessary cloud security measures in place to protect their data, maintain regulatory compliance, and ward off all manner of cyberattacks.
Protecting sensitive data in the cloud
As more organizations store larger amounts of confidential, sensitive, and proprietary data in the cloud, the number, frequency, and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting that data are similarly expanding at an exponential rate.
Cloud security measures like data loss prevention (DLP) technologies, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption are an indispensable way of protecting cloud data and keeping it out of the hands of cybercriminals.
Maintaining regulatory compliance
To avoid charges of non-compliance or the risk of hefty penalties, organizations that store sensitive or private information in the cloud need to remain compliant at all times with all laws and regulations governing how that data is stored, safeguarded, and protected from being stolen.
A proactive cloud security strategy is key to ensuring cloud compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Sarbanes-Oxley – U.S. financial data protection (SOX), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Limiting disruptions on business continuity
Cloud-based cyberattacks and data breaches can also cause serious disruptions to business operations and continuity, and potentially cost organizations millions of dollars in lost productivity, lost sales, and reputational damage.
A robust cloud security system can help mitigate those risks, defend against current and future cyber threats, and enable businesses to continue operating normally both on site and in the cloud.
Supporting digital transformation
In addition, the flexibility, scalability, and comparatively lower up-front costs of cloud security made it an essential part of the digital transformation wave.
In addition to offering organizations an efficient and cost-effective way to support, enhance, and protect their digital transformation efforts as they migrated more of their business and data to the cloud, cloud security solutions also helped create secure and trusted cloud environments that fostered seamless collaboration between employees, enabled more remote and hybrid work options, fueled innovation, and drove both profitability and greater operational efficiencies.
Examples of cloud security best practices
To provide the best possible protection for cloud-based data, assets, and applications, there are a number of best practices organizations should adopt when developing or implementing a cloud security strategy. These include:
- Continuous always-on monitoring and threat detection—adopting a policy of continuous, always-on monitoring and threat detection of cloud environments can help organizations prevent most cyberattacks before they happen, and help security teams respond to any incidents that do occur as quickly, decisively, and effectively as possible.
- Strong access controls—implementing proactive security measures like multi-factor authentication, restricted access to sensitive or confidential information, and a set of comprehensive role-specific access management procedures can reduce the risks of data breaches and cyberattacks and protect cloud environments.
- Zero-trust security—isolating all critical assets and applications away from cloud networks can keep secure workloads private and inaccessible, and help enforce cloud security policies.
- Regular security assessments and audits—carrying out regular security assessments and audits including vulnerability scans, red-teaming and digital twin exercises, and penetration testing can help identify any gaps or weaknesses in an organization’s cloud security infrastructure and strengthen their cloud security posture.
- Ongoing employee training and awareness—providing ongoing employee training and awareness programs can keep employees up to date on the latest risks, threats, company policies, and best practices regarding cloud security, reduce the likelihood of human error, and create a culture built around reinforcing current and future cloud security measures.
What are the latest trends in cloud security?
The field of cloud security is advancing on an almost daily basis. Three key trends that seem particularly likely to shape the future of cloud security and cybersecurity are: the rise of zero-trust architectures; the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in cloud security solutions; and the ongoing evolution of cloud security frameworks.
The rise of zero-trust architectures
Zero-trust architectures reflect an approach to cybersecurity that aims to reduce the risk of cyber threats to an absolute minimum by assuming every asset, connection, or user is suspicious until or unless it has been verified.
As data breaches and cyberattacks in the cloud become both more prevalent and more insidious, a zero-trust approach to cloud security could include measures like constantly monitoring cloud-based assets and applications to identify gaps or weaknesses, dividing cloud networks into separate independently secured “zones” to keep data breaches and cyberattacks from spreading throughout cloud environments, or requiring users to receive constant authentication and authorization permissions before they can gain access to an organization’s cloud data or services.
Integration of AI and machine learning in cloud security
AI refers to any system or computer that uses advanced computing technologies like deep learning, machine learning (ML), and neural networks to mimic how the human brain solves problems, makes decisions, and carries out tasks. As AI applications continue to advance and become more powerful, AI and machine learning applications will likely become much more closely integrated into cloud security.
In addition to increasing the speed and efficiency of cybersecurity technologies in the cloud, AI-driven cloud security solutions could harness the power of artificial intelligence to analyze and assess vast amounts of data in real time, automate a wide variety of threat detection and response measures, and enable organizations of all sizes to proactively defend their cloud assets, data, and applications from cyber threats.
Evolution of cloud security frameworks
Cloud security frameworks are detailed sets of policies, guidelines, access controls, and best practices that organizations adopt to protect cloud-based data, safeguard cloud applications and services, and secure cloud environments from attack.
Some of the current industry-leading cloud security frameworks include the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), the MITRE ATT&CK cloud security framework, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Critical Security Controls, the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) framework, and the ISO/IEC 27001 standards for information security management systems (ISMS).
As organizations continue to adopt or follow these and other emerging frameworks, they will be better positioned to secure their cloud environments, safeguard their cloud-based assets and data from breaches or cyberattacks, and ensure their ability to remain compliant with all national and international laws and regulations.
Where can I get help with cloud security?
The Trend Vision One™ Cloud Security platform is a powerful all-in-one cloud security solution that allows organizations to enhance their visibility into their cloud environments, control access to their cloud data, automate and fortify their cloud security and cybersecurity defenses, and proactively protect their cloud assets, applications, and services from new and emerging cyber threats, cyberattacks, and data breaches.
Among other features, Cloud Security offers continuous real-time monitoring and risk assessment of attack surfaces across all workloads, containers, APIs, and cloud assets. It provides industry-leading protection for cloud, multi-cloud, and hybrid-cloud environments through real-time threat detection and response, automated vulnerability scanning, advanced encryption capabilities, and comprehensive compliance assurance and enforcement. And it gives organizations the visibility and control they need to maximize their cloud security posture and protect their cloud assets from ever-evolving threats, attacks, and cybercriminals.
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