What Is Cloud Security?
Cloud Security encompasses a wide range of tools and technologies to protect data, infrastructure, applications and users in the cloud. From the technical end of threat prevention, this includes tools like encryption (which scrambles data to make it unreadable without the key) and other security-enhancing features like virtual private networks and data loss protection. From the administrative end of protections, it involves the use of dynamic access procedures that only allow users to view and edit data relevant to their job duties (least privilege principle) and secure identity management protocols like openID and SAML.
Another important component of Cloud Security is securing the physical components that make up a cloud environment. This includes securing the physical network, routers and electrical power needed to run those devices as well as protecting the end-user hardware like PCs, mobile devices and IoT devices. It also involves ensuring that client policies and configurations are consistent with the policy set by a CSP, which is commonly determined by an application control list or ACL.
Preventive technologies like network detection and response and artificial intelligence for IT operations can help detect, analyze and respond to threats that occur in the cloud. An integrated solution that works in a multicloud environment and integrates with existing policy systems can be particularly helpful. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid vendor lock-in and look for a solution that provides automation-ready functionality. Lastly, it’s critical to have disaster recovery solutions in place for when threats become successful or a cloud environment experiences a disruption.