Cloud security plays a significant role in ensuring that data stored in the cloud remains safe from breaches, traffic hijacking, and other such information security issues. Installing firewalls, conducting penetration testing and avoiding public internet connections are some of the ways in which cloud engineers can ensure the data is safe and secure. Apart from the regular cloud security protocols, let’s look at what top cloud providers do to adhere to the best practices for cloud security.
In this article, we delve into the cloud security basics and best practices of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google CloudOpens a new window , IBM Cloud, Microsoft AzureOpens a new window , and Oracle Cloud.
Table of Contents
Why is Cloud Security Important?
Cloud Security Best Practices for AWS
Cloud Security Best Practices for Google Cloud
Cloud Security Best Practices for IBM Cloud
Cloud Security Best Practices for Microsoft Azure
Cloud Security Best Practices for Oracle Cloud
What Is Cloud Security?
Cloud security, also known as cloud computing security, is designed with a set of policy controls and technologies that protect cloud-based systems and data. These security measures are coded in such a way that they keep data secure, promote regulatory compliance, and protect users’ privacy. Whether it is to authenticate access or filter traffic, cloud security can be designed to meet the exact needs of the user or businessOpens a new window . Moreover, administration spends are kept to a minimum because cloud security rules can be configured and managed in one place. This empowers IT teams to focus on other essential areas of the business.
Two factors matter the most in the delivery of cloud security: The individual cloud provider and the cloud security solutions in place. However, when it comes to implementing cloud security processes, it needs to be a joint responsibility between the business (or its IT team) and the solution provider.
Why Is Cloud Security Important?
Paying attention to cloud computing security or cloud security is necessary because the cloud has revolutionized the way people use the Internet. Cloud security is a critical component, especially for enterprises who invest in the cloud. This is because any digital data can be accessed from the cloud from anywhere. So, if the right security parameters are not set in place, sensitive data is vulnerable to theft, leakage, and misuse.
Let’s look at the parameters one needs to consider while securing the cloud:
Type of cloud infrastructure
A critical aspect to better understand cloud security issues is the difference between the kind of support required. Check if the cloud storage system meets all the required security standards, which means encryptions like SSL are a must-have for the cloud. This helps cloud engineers to manage the traffic in the cloud that flows through public channels.
Authentication and identity
An important factor to consider for cloud security is authentication and identity. If the cloud storage system offers multi-factor authentication in addition to passwords such as receiving a phone token or SMS code, it could be considered for storing enterprise data. It is essential to also ask whether the cloud service provider allows for anonymous access to the service. Look for if the cloud solution provider supports integration with enterprise directories or authentication providers.
Internal controls
Before cloud engineers opt for a cloud storage system, it is necessary to see which compliance certifications a cloud provider adheres to. Compliance certifications such as SSAE16, ISO 27001, SOC2, PCI, HIPAA are necessary to be assured of the cloud’s security protocols. Another aspect to tick off your list is whether the cloud storage systems have data center protections. In addition, check if the cloud storage provider logs all end-user activities. These checks help to keep data theft at bay and run security protocols in case of a breach.
Server Requirements
Another critical aspect of the cloud is that it can be accessed from anywhere; this means the server needs to be secure. Any security measures that are taken by the organization and the cloud solutions provider must be implemented keeping in mind the requirements of the server. All data transfer and interaction with the cloud servers should work on SSL transmission (TLS 1.2) to ensure the highest level of security. Make sure the SSL terminates only within the cloud service provider network for added security.
Learn More: Cloud Storage 101: Cloud-based Storage Types and ComparisonOpens a new window
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Cloud Security Best Practices for Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers stringent security protocols for its cloud services
Enterprises are fast-changing and evolving. The speeds at which they are shifting their workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS) is incredible. The reason is AWS offers affordable prices, scalability and high speeds for a public cloudOpens a new window storage system. As a platform of choice, AWS takes responsibility for their cloud security protocols; however, there are some aspects that a business must take care of as well.
Shared Responsibility Model
AWS has configured a Shared Responsibility Model, which ensures that AWS cloud users are also responsible for securing the operating systems, and data. The customer’s responsibility lies in the platform, customer data, access management, network and firewall configurationOpens a new window , networking traffic, and server-side encryption. Whereas, AWS is responsible for computing, storage creation, database software, networking, availability zones, and edge locations.
Best Practices for AWS
With the increasing incidence of data breaches today, it is pertinent for tech experts who implement AWS to understand the basics of cloud security.
Here are six must-do cloud security best practices for AWS:
- Have vault root accounts and centralize access for AWS console
- Set up a standard security network and unify identities of privileged users
- Manage accountability with individual user logins
- Grant least privilege access
- Authorize an audit for all activities on the AWS cloud
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on each login
AWS deployments are easily infringed when privileged access management (PAM) credentials are compromised. The six best practices mentioned above are just the start; AWS has many more strategies to increase security.
Learn More: What is AWS: Services, Hosting, Pricing, and CertificationsOpens a new window
Cloud Security Best Practices for Google Cloud
As one of the fastest growing cloud providers, Google Cloud is attracting more and more new users from retailers to large enterprises. With a higher number of people opting for Google Cloud, tech experts are making efforts to reduce the susceptibility on security parameters.
Here’s what Google Cloud users need to know when it comes to cloud security best practices:
- Optimize disk performance
- Ensure continuous delivery with automation
- Set VPC firewall rules and add network tags
- Enable VPC flow logs for network subnets
- Log and version cloud storage buckets for maintaining and retrieving all versions of data
- Configure Stackdriver effectively to record and monitor the uptime and performance of projects on Google cloud
- Delete repetitive disk snapshots to ensure seamless workflow
Security in the cloud remains a shared responsibility. It is vital to gain a fundamental understanding of these best practices for enterprises to manage their cloud security protocols on the Google Cloud.
Cloud Security Best Practices for IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud offers functional, operational and infrastructural facilities to the user along with physical security for data stored on the cloud. The IBM Cloud Platform meets the strict and complex IBM IT security standards. Nonetheless, it’s essential for users and large enterprises who are deploying IBM Cloud services to make a note of relevant cloud security best practices.
For IBM Cloud make sure to:
- Segregate cloud environment
- Set up firewalls
- Enable intrusion prevention
- Secure application container management service
- Harden operating system security
- Scan for vulnerable data points
- Automate fix management services
- Audit log consolidation and analysis
- Restrict user access management
- Authenticate single sign-on services
As part of the platform and extensible services, IBM provides a security framework and controls for IBM Cloud. These services can be used by cloud consumers to assist with their security strategy and governance. Enterprises can build and extend additional capabilities from their systems to the cloud environment.
Learn More: Why Hybrid Cloud Is Today’s Business Imperative: Tech Talk With the CTO, IBM Cloud
Cloud Security Best Practices for Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure Cloud Protects User Data and Manages Apps Across Its Data Centers
Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure allows users to build, deploy and manage applications through global datacenters. From computing and storage to analytics and networking, Azure cloud services can be used for developing and scaling new applications. Microsoft Azure offers both Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)Opens a new window .
For IT teams that wish to move their data to Microsoft Azure, here are five cloud security best practices to keep in mind:
- Encrypt information and digital data at the file level to ensure data protection at an internal and external level
- Safeguard data with SQL encryption to enable threat detection and dynamic data masking
- Monitor trading partners, third-party vendors and key stakeholders for any unauthorized activity
- Automate enterprise backup policy to ensure minimal maintenance activities
- Enable Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to allow part of cloud access to only a group of users
These best practices create a framework that applies to any Microsoft Azure-based project and can be expanded on and tailored to individual requirements.
Cloud Security Best Practices for Oracle Cloud
The Oracle Cloud Infrastructure allows businesses and large enterprises to deploy and manage workloads and data on the cloud with a host of delivery policies and pillar documents. Along with the cloud delivery policies, Oracle Cloud also offers service descriptions and program documentation for following the best practices for cloud security.
For enterprises who wish to adopt Oracle Cloud services, here are the cloud security best practices to follow:
- Formulate authentication mechanisms using API keys
- Use virtual cloud network (VCN) subnets for creating network segmentation
- Use compute instances including Bare Metal (BM) instances, Virtual Machine (VM) and GPUs to maintain customer application security
- Formulate data storage architecture with security configuration services such as Block Volume, Object Storage, Database, and File Storage
- The Oracle cloud ecosystem is developing, so cloud engineers can use it to lower costs on workload compatibility. This is because Oracle Cloud can be tailored to the user’s needs. So, whether enterprises bring their test workloads to the cloud or wish to experience cloud-native applications, the Oracle Cloud accommodates it all.
Closing Thoughts for Techies
Apart from the essential security provisions that any cloud solution provider should build into its cloud service, there are also a couple of factors, which they need to consider for the future. From crowd-sourced storage, data defense, serverless cloud computing to edge computing and hybrid cloud solutions – these are major areas of change to keep up with in the cloud and data security.
Cloud technologies will support working even faster and more effectively than is the norm today. To do so, working in a secure environment becomes even more important than before, as dependence on the cloud increases. With stringent design principles and security policies that can be distributed across number of departments and areas of expertise, the future of cloud security and computing looks promising.
Where do you think cloud security is headed? Let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you.