3 Inevitable Tips to Secure Cloud Operations

By Cloud Computing Outlook | Tuesday, October 06, 2020

While working on the cloud environment, one must focus more on the applications, user roles, and programming interfaces. Here are three tips for re-emphasizing the security fundamentals of the cloud

Fremont, CA: Once regarded as a one-stop solution for all IT operations, cloud technology has started witnessing the other side of the solution. Malicious attackers taking advantage of the loopholes in the security net of cloud often make headlines. Companies need to understand the fact that securing data and networks in a cloud environment is quite different than securing them on-premise.

The elements of infrastructure that were static on-premise have become oblivious now. Strong firewalls should be designed to operate in an intrinsically fluid infrastructure. While working on the cloud environment, one must focus more on the applications, user roles, and programming interfaces. Here are three tips for re-emphasizing the security fundamentals of the cloud.

Encryption of Data

Cases of data breach and data spillage are unavoidable in the cloud. Hence, it is essential to protect data in transit using techniques like encryption. All the sensitive data must be encrypted and segmented using multiple keys to minimize the impact of a malicious attack. Secure keys must be placed with strong access control policies. Companies must review the CSP network encryption and evaluate both third party and native cloud encryption solutions.

Enhancement Implementation

The initial cloud implementation is just the beginning of cloud operations. Usually, businesses don't focus on implementing the enhancements after the initial deployment of the cloud. As new apps and software are introduced, the IT operations can impede the cloud agility, if not updated regularly. Businesses can approach DevSecOps for implementing the site reliability engineer functions, which helps in upgrading the cloud environment. DevSecOps can also integrate with security staff in operations and development.

Secured Access to Cloud Management Tools

Cloud configurations and management tools like cloud service provider (CSP), command-line interfaces, consoles, and APIs provide great flexibility and autonomy to end-users. Strong access control is essential to protect organizations against insider and external threats. Businesses must authorize and authenticate privileged users with digital signatures, two-factor authentication, and certificates. Before granting cloud roles, the employees must be trained, and their skills must be evaluated from time to time. Organizations must put a restriction on user access and strictly separate admin and user credentials.