Overcoming Cloud Computing Security Concerns
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Published on: October 26th, 2021
Last edited: May 24th, 2023
How to Overcome Security Concerns In Cloud Computing
In 2020 alone, revenues from the public cloud market reached a whopping USD$313 billion. And by 2027, the figures are expected to spike to USD$552 billion. That’s a clear indication of the high degree of adoption of cloud computing technology by businesses globally.
However, there are several cloud computing security challenges you’re likely to encounter once you decide to migrate to the cloud. Fortunately, this article discusses some ways on how to overcome these security concerns: (1)
1. Engage security experts
Currently, the major cloud security problem in the world is data loss and leakage. Other notable issues include data privacy and confidentiality, compliance, and accidental credentials exposure.
With that said, this can only mean that hackers are working round the clock to breach any security measure you apply to your cloud applications. It’s quite challenging to keep up with their ill tactics unless that’s your full-time job. Therefore, it’s best to delegate the security aspect of your cloud to expert managed service providers, as they have the expertise in combating emerging security threats. (2)
2. Train your team members
There has been a steep increase in phishing attacks in recent years. In 2020 alone, 85% of all companies in the world encountered at least one phishing attack. Furthermore, it’s estimated that about 1.5 million new phishing websites are launched every month.
With such mind-blowing revelations, it’s in your best interest to train your staff on how to identify deceptive emails meant to lure them into disclosing confidential information. Also, don’t end the training on phishing. Make sure to train them on all other aspects of overcoming cloud computing security challenges. (3)
3. Avoid using numerous cloud vendors
It’s critical to note that different cloud vendors have different security protocols. Indeed, leading cloud vendors–Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform–all do their best to offer optimal security, but their approaches differ. Thus, if you use all of them at once, plus other minor vendors, you’ll have considerably complicated your cloud system, and it’ll be challenging to protect your network.
Try sticking to only one or two cloud vendors. One vendor is enough if they can already offer all the cloud solutions you need for your business.
4. Use IAM solutions
Identity and access management (IAM) solutions aim at controlling user access to confidential business information. They include the use of two-factor authentication, single sign-on systems, privileged access management, and more. If well implemented, the risk of internal and external data breaches is minimized.
IAM solutions can also help your business comply with government regulations, as they’re a demonstration that your corporate information isn’t being misused.
5. Use a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
A CASB, which can either be on-premises or cloud-hosted, serves as a kind of bridge that connects cloud service providers and users. Ideally, a CASB is a policy enforcement tool since it consolidates several types of security measures and applies them to all cloud applications.
CASB has the following three major benefits:
- Identifies threats: By carrying out sophisticated behavioral analysis for cloud applications, CASB can detect anomalies and fraud patterns in the system in a timely manner.
- Safeguards users: CASB performs advanced user behavior analysis to determine risk scores, which is an excellent pointer to how safe a particular user is while using the cloud.
- Securely configures apps: CASB helps in launching apps with the requisite security configurations to avoid possible fraud through the breach of security measures. (4)
6. Encrypt all data
Cloud encryption refers to the process of encoding data before storing it on the cloud. This security measure makes use of mathematical algorithms to convert plaintext to an unreadable format. Only an authorized user with a decryption key can gain access to the encrypted files. Malicious users can’t use the file in any way since the content is unreadable. (5)
You’d want to encrypt all data at rest, as well as all data in transit. For best results, use Transport Layer Security (TLS) on top of Secure Socket layers (SSL). You understand that TLS is but a more recent version of SSL. So, while SSL has some security vulnerabilities, TLS doesn’t have the same issues.
Conclusion
From the discussion above, there’s no longer a need to worry about cloud computing as an unsafe option. Facts show that even in-house systems can be less secure than cloud-hosted systems. So, adopt cloud computing technologies with the confidence that your confidential data will be safe. In this way, you’ll be using a flexible computing solution that saves you time and money, something you’d not have achieved with on-premise servers.
References
- “Public cloud market revenue worldwide from 2012 to 2027,” https://www.statista.com/statistics/477702/public-cloud-vendor-revenue-forecast/
- “New trends in Cloud Security,” https://medium.com/rosadotech/new-trends-in-cloud-security-785240d3e1b3
- “2020 Phishing Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind,” https://www.phishing.org.uk/2021/03/13/2020-phishing-statistics-that-will-blow-your-mind/
- “Oracle Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB),” https://www.oracle.com/africa/security/cloud-security/casb-cloud/
- “Cryptography and Encryption In Cloud Computing,” https://www.academia.edu/7061363/Cryptography_and_Encryption_In_Cloud_Computing
