Over the past couple of years, cloud computing has made it easier for many businesses to use IT resources. Today, these organizations are utilizing the benefits of storing data in the cloud rather than on-premises, making working with data much more accessible. In general, the cloud is cheaper and more efficient than an on-premises environment, making it incredibly attractive to millions of businesses around the world.
However, there is an inherent problem with cloud computing: security. Whether you use AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud, the truth is that your cloud security is entirely up to you. Even if your cloud has a vulnerability, the providers who provide you with the resources are not responsible for any damage your business will suffer.
That's why more and more businesses are using CSPM solutions to ensure their enterprise cloud is both secure and compliant. Now let's see how the cloud works and why you need to secure it.
1. What does “cloud computing” offer?
Cloud computing is a way of using computing resources, such as servers, storage and networks, through a remote provider. You can access these resources over the Internet and only pay for your services. So you don't have to invest in building or maintaining your infrastructure. The main advantage of cloud computing is its flexibility: you can increase or decrease your usage as needed and only pay for what you use.
There are three main types of cloud computing services:
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): IaaS provides essential infrastructure components, such as servers, storage, and networks. You can use these resources to build and run your applications. AWS and Google Cloud Platform are two popular IaaS providers.
PaaS (Platform as a Service): PaaS provides a platform to develop, test and deploy your applications. Typically, a PaaS includes an operating system, a programming language runtime environment, a database, and a web server. Heroku and Force.com are two popular PaaS providers.
SaaS (Software as a Service): SaaS allows you to access software applications over the Internet. Typically, you pay for SaaS on a subscription basis. Salesforce and Microsoft Office 365 are two popular SaaS applications.
2. Benefits of Securing Your Data in the Cloud
There are many benefits to securing your data in the cloud, such as:
has. Data breach prevention
Data breaches can occur when hackers gain access to your company's sensitive data. By securing your cloud, you can help prevent unauthorized access to your data. These include having reliable encryption, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and data backups.
Additionally, a data breach isn’t just an attack on the cloud – it’s also an attack on your company’s reputation. A large data breach can cause many customers to leave your business and switch to your competitors because your business will be considered “insecure”.
b. Compliance
Depending on your industry, you may be required to follow specific regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Securing your cloud can help ensure your business complies with these regulations.
For example, the GDPR requires companies to protect the personal data of EU citizens. In particular, they must ensure that only authorized personnel have access to this data, that the information is encrypted and that strict procedures are in place in the event of a data breach.
vs. Performance improvement
When you secure your cloud, you can help improve its performance. If you protect your cloud against denial of service (DoS) attacks, you can ensure that your cloud is available when you need it. Denial of service attacks occur when hackers overload your cloud with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users. This can cost your business because you lose potential sales.
d. Cost reduction
Even if you don't like having another subscription, securing your cloud can also help you save money in the long run. For example, you may be required to pay hefty fines in the event of a data breach. Additionally, you may also have to pay the cost of repairing any damage caused, for example if your customers' data was stolen.
3. Final Thoughts
Ultimately, we believe that cloud security is essential for any business that uses cloud services. By securing your cloud, you can help prevent data breaches, ensure compliance, improve performance, and save money in the long run.
Your cloud security should not be viewed as a potential problem to be solved, but as a critical factor on the path to success. Businesses should consider investing in a cloud security solution to ensure they are on the right track.