The movement of data and workloads to cloud setup is an entirely different scenario from ensuring the compliance framework, best practices, and processes. While transferring workloads to the cloud, businesses will start encountering other sets of challenges that may affect the security of cloud-based systems and data. So to help businesses in such situations, here are some of the best practices for cloud-based deployments. If you are already working in the Information Security domain, check out this CCSP Training which has been designed by industry experts.
Choose a trusted cloud service provider.
The best practice to ensure maximum cloud security is to first choose a trusted cloud service provider for storing data and moving workloads to it. This cloud provider must possess the best security protocols in place and observe the highest levels of industry practices in securing sensitive data and mission-critical workloads of various businesses.
The chosen cloud provider must offer a marketplace where the customer can find partners and solutions to enhance the security of their deployment. A trusted cloud service provider could openly show their certifications and range of compliance in cloud security that they hold. All the top cloud providers offer their customers free access to all of their security credentials and compliance. These are some of the basic checklists that a business must focus on before selecting a cloud service provider.
Customers must review SLAs and Cloud Provider Contracts.
Every customer, be it a business or an organization, must review the Service-Level Agreement and Cloud Service Provider Contracts before signing up with a specific cloud provider. These documents offer a guarantee that a cloud service provider will offer you help during a difficult scenario in security terms. And SLAs will help you ensure that minimum service is maintained during these scenarios and you are left out completely.
Every customer must read the terms and conditions, legal terms, annexes, and other little-known facts and policies that will help get a minimum assurance that your cloud provider is taking up the accountability and responsibility in protecting your data.
The best way to demonstrate this point is that according to a report by McAfee in 2019, 62.7% of cloud providers don’t explicitly specify that customer data is owned by the customer itself.
Train your employees
After transferring workloads and data to the chosen cloud service provider, the next step is to train employees on securing the cloud. These employees serve as the first line of defense against any form of a security breach. If they are trained they will know how to protect their systems and data and will learn to be alert while using the cloud infrastructure.
The best practice here will be to train all your employees, stakeholders, etc., who can access your cloud setup. Let them know the difference between a phishing email and a legit one, spot malware, and risks associated with insecure practices. For a more technical role, suggest they undertake industry-grade certifications. If you are aiming for CCSP certification, check out this CCSP Tutorial for Beginners.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned points are some of the best practices for ensuring maximum cloud security. Hope this information has helped you become more aware of such practices within the Cloud domain and how to avert any bad practices before zeroing in on a cloud provider.
