Simple Practices to Implement Strong Cloud Security
The implementation of cloud computing has various advantages for the
organization. Firstly, it could provide on-demand resources to perform
multiple crucial services and operations, such as virtual servers,
databases, IT infrastructure, and service. However, an organization
needs
proper cloud management software to implement more robust cloud
security for a secure cloud platform. In this blog, we discuss the best
practices that companies should follow to create a secure cloud platform with the help of robust cloud security.
IAM or Identity and access management
The business needs to implement stringent policies on access
management to restrict access to their cloud system. Further, they
should
also enforce the least privileged policies to protect their resources. You
need to equip session monitoring for privileged access to record and
audit the access. This ensures that the role-based privileges get the
minimum access vital to perform an operation.
With the help of the zero trust model, you can control the access to the
cloud system and verify every device, system, or user that is given
access to the cloud infrastructure. This will also allow you to validate
them before allowing them to connect to the cloud system. Additionally,
you need to consider the LDAP compliant directory like the Active
Directory in order to handle and manage the access and identity
management within multiple environments and systems.
Segmentation
Check the type of segmentation implemented for your resources as well
as how they differ from the resources of other customers within a
multitenant environment between the resources of the organization that
enforces isolation between domains. Effective network segmentation
with the help of cloud management software helps prevent any lateral
movement. It can ensure only minor compromise of the cloud system,
which does not advance into the multi-system security breach. You can
chive network segmentation of your cloud system via:
Create virtual servers that are individually dedicated for a specific
environment or client (e.g., NAS, SAS, or a virtual database server)
Physically separate the servers for every environment within the typical
ASP or Application Service Provider model.
Run the applications in different logical partitions by utilizing additional
system images that do not share your cloud storage or resources.
Utilize specialized tools or a secure cloud platform that allows optimum
control of the traffic within the network so that the production and
management of network traffic could be easily segregated.
Vulnerability management
Conduct regular scans to find out the misconfigurations and
vulnerabilities in the system. Moreover, conduct security testing and
audits to identify the risks and vulnerabilities. Perform penetration
testing on the network environment of the organization, either on the
cloud or on-premises, to remediate and detect any system vulnerabilities
Patch management
Create a proactive process and utilize automated tools to patch and scan
the known vulnerabilities from the system infrastructure of the
organization and ensure that the cloud service provider offers a reliable
method of patching the concerning vulnerabilities. Analyze the post-
patch impacts and address any inconsistencies or incompatibilities
within the environment and the system.
Monitor the user activity
You could track the users on the cloud environment of the organization.
Moreover, you also need to evaluate the cloud usage patterns within
your
organization. Cloud computing could result in casual data sharing and
data usage. This mainly includes collection, search, and storage of data,
which could facilitate the mixed-use of data which includes primarily
sensitive data.
Password management
You need to ensure that the organization follows the best practices on
password management. This includes:
Configure password complexity settings
Create minimum length for the password
Set a maximum age for the password. It is recommended to change the
password every 60-90 days. Enable various email warnings on the
expiration of the password
Enforce a password history by giving an option of a minimum of 10
past
passwords
Enable auditing of the passwords to track all the changes in the password
Reset the passwords for the local admin after 180 day period, and reset
the passwords for service accounts after one year period or while doing
the maintenance work
Synchronize the passwords to lessen the security risk and complexity.
Use management systems for enterprise passwords to make sure
consistency in security across the cloud system.
Compliance management
You need to select a particular console that would alert the organization
when it is not following the compliance norms and regulations. This
would lead to the implementation of corrective actions immediately to
mitigate the risks.
Encryption
Ensure that the cloud data of the organization is encrypted while in
transition and while in rest. Ensure to use the multiple encryption
services to encrypt the files, network, and database of the cloud system.
This will help you implement more robust cloud security across your
secure cloud platform.
Monitoring
Ensure that the organization and the cloud computing service provider
are enabled with conscientious security monitoring across all systems
and environments.
Here are the simple practices you need to follow to implement strong
cloud security. If you want to find a secure cloud platform, you must