What is Cloud Security?
Cloud Security is the set of tools and processes that protect data, applications and infrastructure in cloud environments. This includes encrypting data at rest and in transit, identity and access management (IAM), continuous monitoring, threat protection and compliance.
Insufficient security leads to compromised accounts, unauthorized access and ransomware threats that disrupt workloads and expose sensitive data. It can also result in data breaches, which lead to financial loss, brand damage and regulatory penalties. This is why it’s essential to have effective runtime detection and response tools that can prevent attackers from compromising your cloud environment.
A cloud security platform provides holistic, contextual visibility and control of your entire cloud operating environment, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, containerized and serverless environments. Look for features like vulnerability scanning and cloud context-aware monitoring to identify and respond to threats in real time. Look for tools that include automation and AI to reduce the burden on security teams and accelerate incident response times.
Robust cloud security solutions should include IAM with multi-factor authentication and adherence to the principle of least privilege, which means users are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their roles. They should also encrypt data at rest and in transit, and monitor the integrity of databases and configurations, such as enabling monitoring, logging and ICMP. They should also support compliance frameworks, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, to meet industry-specific regulations. And they should be compatible with your existing security tools and APIs to minimize siloed operations.