Many organizationsare adopting cloud structures to fulfiltheir business needs. They are availing the benefits of the distribution of workloads across multiple clouds. Data and applications are stored at a remote location and accessed over the internet. But what about security? In this scenario, enterprise cloud security becomes an utmost priority for the organization. As an organization adopts a multi-cloud infrastructure, it is a common approach to maintain heterogeneousenvironment with different tools for each cloud platform. This results in a complex network security infrastructure.
What is enterprise cloud security?
Enterprise cloud security involves the strategies and techniques that are taken to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to data, application, and IT infrastructure at the enterprise level. For organizations that adopt the cloud computing approach, the security solutions must possess the following key attributes:
- Native integration with all major cloud providers
- A broad protection to cover the entire attack surface
- Ability to centrally manage the security infrastructure along with automation of security operations.
What are the key principles of enterprise cloud security?
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published 14 cloud security principles in 2016. These principles serve as guidelines for the security providers while offering security to their customers. Check out the following list of principles:
Data in transit protection – The user data in transit state must be provided protection against any interference.
Asset protection and resilience – Assets and user data should be protected from physical tampering, damage, or seizure.
Separation between users – If one user’s profile is affected by malicious software, it must not affect the other users service or data.
Governance framework–A governance framework is needed to follow by the security provider to have internal coordination of service.
Operational security – Operational security must be maintained to prevent and detect attacks.
Personnel security–Security personnel must have in-depth screening and must give proper training to reduce accidental occurrences.
Secure development– Security must be the highest priority while designing the services.
Supply chain security – The supply chain must adhere to the same security principles.
Secure user management– Sufficient security tools must be used while providing security that prevents unauthorised access to data.
Identity and authentication – Service interfaces must have access by specific users and if possible, must be guarded by two-party authentication.
External interface protection– Any interface outside the infrastructure must be defended and handled appropriately.
Secure service administration – Administration system must be secure to protect the company data from stolen and manipulation.
Audit information for users – A detailed audit record must be provided by the security provider to the user to monitor the service.
Secure use of service – security provider must provide the service with responsibility for data security and safety.
How to design a flawless cloud security strategy?
A cloud security strategy is a way how your organization maintains the security of your cloud environment. The strategy designed should be firm to ensure complete security to the cloud. There are three steps in designing a flawless cloud security strategy:
- Data privacy and encryption in the cloud
- Maintaining access control in your cloud environment
- Cloud security responsibilities
- Training your organization on cloud security
Conclusion
Cloud computing offers immense opportunities for the business. But if proper security is not maintained then the infrastructure and operational framework can have security threats. Cloud computing provides a heterogeneousenvironment therefore there exist several security use cases. Adopt the best one that can provide optimum security to your organizational assets.
