What is Cloud Security?
Cloud Security is the set of tools that protect data in a cloud environment. It is a combination of cloud infrastructure protections and data security processes that include firewalls, IPS/IPSec, VPNs and advanced threat detection and response. It also includes identity and access management (IAM), cloud application controls, data loss prevention processes, encryption, and monitoring tools.
Cloud security services are designed to help keep intellectual property and sensitive information safe and secure, while providing employees with quick and easy access to business applications and data from any location or device. The best solutions provide centralized platforms, reduce attack surfaces and enable the application of sophisticated security controls without impacting user experience.
Some common threats for cloud users include unauthorized shadow IT, which can expose company networks to cyberattacks, and the potential loss of data in the event of third-party service failure. For example, a power outage at a storage facility could leave companies with a data loss situation that could have long-term impacts on their businesses.
Cloud security tools such as network detection and response (NDR) and artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps) can collect and analyze data about cloud infrastructure health and cybersecurity. They can detect abnormal behavior that indicates a possible attack and alert administrators when it happens. They can also help to identify and resolve issues with applications, operating systems, VM environments, and other components of the security stack. One of the most popular network detection and response solutions is Check Point’s Lacework. It constantly scans cloud workloads and cloud deployments for misconfigurations or attacks and identifies the most serious threats. It also provides a visual representation of cloud assets, workloads and APIs, as well as account roles to build context for security teams.