Information Technology Security Handle Cloud Security Risks
Information security (InfoSec) protects the integrity, confidentiality and availability of an organization’s information assets. Its responsibilities include safeguarding data against unauthorized access, disclosure, use or alteration throughout its lifecycle, from creation to disposal. InfoSec also helps ensure that an organization is in compliance with regulatory standards like HIPAA and GDPR.
Cloud security involves protections that are similar to information technology security, but applied to a firm’s cloud-based data. It tends to include a focus on Internet-facing services, shared environments and a variety of different applications and information systems. This makes cloud security a challenging area of cybersecurity for firms.
A firm’s most significant cloud security risk is a data breach, in which cybercriminals gain access to sensitive organizational information. This might involve personally identifiable information technology security, intellectual property or business secrets. Attackers might use stolen credentials or phishing scams to gain this access. Attackers can also use a technique known as password recycling, in which they apply the same username and password to multiple accounts.
Other threats include a lack of visibility into the usage of cloud-based apps and services, which can result in data oversharing, account takeover or compliance risks. Shadow IT, in which employees or departments deploy cloud apps without the approval or knowledge of an IT security team, can lead to a wide range of problems for a firm.
How Does Information Technology Security Handle Cloud Security Risks?
Another major concern is the possibility of data loss, which can occur when a firm’s cloud servers are impacted by malware or natural disasters. Companies should work with their service providers to understand how backups and other data recovery procedures will be handled in the event of a disaster or other failure.
Many firms store large amounts of information in the cloud, including files and databases. The most vulnerable areas of a firm’s cloud environment might be these repositories, which are likely to be subject to various attacks, vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. This is why a robust data security strategy that prioritizes application-level controls, granular network access permissions and monitoring should be in place.
Encryption is one of the most effective ways to secure cloud information. This technique transforms sensitive data into a format that can only be understood with a key, and it should be used to protect the most sensitive data. A good strategy also includes applying encryption to data that’s not used regularly, such as backups or archives.
Other key elements of a robust cloud security strategy include threat detection and visibility, centralized management and protections that are specific to multi-cloud environments. CIEM, or security information and event management, technology can help with these concerns by providing a single unified view of data and security activities across multiple cloud environments, and by helping teams monitor activity and enforce the principle of least privilege. This can help teams quickly identify and remediate issues that could compromise cloud security. Finally, a robust cloud security strategy should include training for employees on how to avoid phishing and other types of threats.