How Secure is Cloud Computing?

 

Cloud computing security refers to the set of procedures, processes and standards designed to provide information security assurance in a cloud computing environment.

If you search for cloud computing, you'll likely find an article questioning the security of cloud technology.  Misreported news stories about data breaches can create the wrong impression and have been scared users into thinking that cloud computing is insecure. However, cloud computing is just as secure, if not more secure, than a traditional server, if configured properly. In reality, cloud security breaches are more likely to be the fault of the user rather than the network itself.

Gartner predicts that, through 2025, at least 99% of cloud security failures will be attributable to user error.

Rather than asking is cloud computing secure, businesses should be asking, 'are we using cloud computing securely?'

 

How Do Cloud Service Providers Keep Cloud Computing Secure?

 

Security Investment

Large Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon invest a lot of money and resources in maintaining trust between their product and users. A security breach could result in a big loss of reputation for any of these CSPs, so companies heavily fund security research and development.

Security Processes

Access to any CSP's Data Centres is strictly controlled and staff roles can be segregated to isolate those who can access hardware from those who can access data.

Security Operations

CSP data centres are monitored by expert security teams that use advanced threat analytics, big data, and machine learning to identify trends and threats.

A Microsoft Azure MVP asked the question, “Is your data more secure because it’s on an [on-premises] server you can go and look at?”.

 

 

Why Are Businesses Failing to Keep Cloud Computing Secure

A 2019 report by Bitglass revealed an increased cloud adoption, with 86% of organizations having deployed cloud-based tools. However, despite this increase, only 34% of companies were said to have implemented single sign-on (SSO), one of the most basic but crucial cloud security tools.

 

 

With organizations overlooking the most basic of cloud security tools, it's no wonder that cloud security is in question.

 

How to Address Cloud Security User Errors?

The selected cloud management platform has to be easy to use and backed by accessible customer support. Without the ease of use and customer support, the business and its users will likely find difficulties in achieving high-level security and will miss even the most basic of tools (like SSOs). It may even prove impossible for a business to keep its cloud computing secure without proper guidance and confusing technologies. Cloud computing software like Microsoft Azure meets ease-of-use with built-in controls that simplify security. It's clear that computing giant, Microsoft is very aware of how important security is to cloud computing. Microsoft 365 Business allows users to manage security features all in one place. Alongside typical device, application and management settings, Microsoft 365 includes Advanced Threat Protection and Conditional Access to help protect organizations from sign-in risks and access attempts.

If you want to learn more about the cloud or how to get on-board with Microsoft 365 contact us and we’ll take you through the very simple steps.

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