The world is turning virtual, with more and more programs, companies, and opportunities online. On top of this, the recent pandemic catalyzed the growth of cloud computing, creating a transformative shift for cybersecurity.
Cloud security, or cloud computing security, is the unique cyber defense structure designed to combat these new, diverse threats.
Cloud security is complicated, but more important than ever.
Once upon a time, “security” just meant locking the door behind you. Then it transformed into local networks, and now we have an international cloud-based network of entire businesses, governments, and social groups. That’s a lot of data – about 1,073,741,824 gigabytes of data, actually.
Meanwhile, cybercrime is innovative and ever-changing, requiring an equally dynamic defense. Cyber criminals are constantly exploring cloud opportunities for phishing, social engineering, identity theft, ransomware, and more. Whenever your business trusts a third party, hosts through vendors, and creates transactions from different access points, you’re creating opportunities for weaknesses that cyber criminals can exploit. This ever-changing cloud landscape is also always changing, making it hard for cybersecurity professionals to keep up.
The cloud also includes the Internet of Things (IoT), the vast connections we create between our devices, from smart watches to light switches. We like to think of these items as close to the heart and personal, but they themselves often open doors for cyber criminals, allowing them to access your personal information.
You’re responsible for the data you use.
As a business, it doesn’t matter what vendors or processes you put in place; ultimately you are responsible for your client data and protected information.
International GDPR regulations also heighten a company’s responsibilities to protect personal information online. If you’re part of the defense industrial base, then NIST and new CMMC requirements are also going to be critical for maintaining contracts.
These requirements are just a few that your organization may be subject to. It’s your responsibility to understand your obligations and take effective cybersecurity measures that not only keep you compliant, but ensure the safety of your data and the longevity of your company.
Good cloud computing security means constant vigilance.
Managing your cloud security effectively requires a multi-faceted approach to defending against cybercrime. Identify where and how your data is stored so you can carefully control access to it within your organization. Take advantage of multi-factor authentication and user access policies. Understand your provider’s physical datacenter security measures as well. On top of that initial understanding, you’ll want to have ongoing security assessments, user training, firewalls, threat monitoring, and more.
