Companies like yours are increasingly investing in cloud solutions, attracted not only by reduced costs, but also by the flexibility, agility, scalability and outsourced support they offer. While the potential benefits of migrating to the cloud can seem endless, there’s a big consideration that many teams neglect to address before the move. Securing data in the cloud requires a unique approach.
The cloud significantly broadens the security plane of any organization, particularly as it is often incorporated as a way to allow remote workers to log in from anywhere. You not only have data traveling outside of your network to the cloud solution, but it’s also being accessed from a fleet of mobile devices, introducing new vulnerabilities.
From a hacker’s perspective, the cloud is a tempting opportunity to snatch the data of companies that haven’t planned adequately for securing data in the cloud. Here are the steps you should include to prepare for a cloud migration:
Look at your existing security policies. Examine your comprehensive strategy for your in-house data servers, networks and other systems. What protections do you have in place for securing data? Create a plan to replicate that protection in the cloud.
Talk with your cloud provider. While you and the provider will likely share security responsibility, remember that it’s your data, and you don’t want to rely too heavily on someone else to protect it. Make sure your contract states security policies, including who is responsible for damages in the event of a breach. You should include your auditors in this conversation to determine what will meet their requirements in terms of security policy stringency.
Encrypt your data. Most companies are diligent about encrypting data that’s in their storage, and it’s likely encrypted in the cloud server as well. What often gets missed is the encryption of data in transit. Make sure you encrypt items as they move between your network, your cloud provider, and any third parties.
Secure endpoint devices: Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet or an Internet of Things (IoT) device, be sure that your devices are secure. Add complex passwords and multi-step authentication. You should also invest in appropriate training for employees, building awareness around cyber security and the importance of reporting a lost or stolen device.
Utilize best practices: The Cloud Security Alliance offers helpful guidelines for securing data in the cloud. Working systematically through a checklist can provide a way to prioritize measures, beginning with the broadest and most critical protections.
Implementing these five key steps can help your company make important strides toward securing your data in the cloud. For more information about successful cloud migration, contact us at Cloud Source. We can help you leverage the best solutions while also integrating a robust security strategy to protect your customer data and proprietary information assets.