Technology has brought us solutions and alternatives that provide more ease and dynamism in our daily lives. One of these solutions is cloud technology, which has allowed us to store data and run applications in a digital environment. However, combined with this technology, the need to develop security resources also arose, as is the case with cloud security.
Although there are already security tools aimed at protecting data and devices within companies, it is necessary to have specific security technologies for cloud computing. Along with technological advances, ways of stealing information, causing data leaks and causing countless damages to devices , making it important to invest in training and additional care to protect data.
To help you better understand how cloud security and a good cybersecurity strategy are essential for your company, we have prepared this article with everything you need to know about this subject.
What is cloud security?
We can understand cloud security as a set of resources, practices and technology aimed at protecting information and data that is stored in cloud architecture. These tools ensure that the data that is stored is protected from unauthorized users and cybercriminals.
A company's cloud security strategy should include optimizing processes and implementing controls aimed at system security. These measures will help monitor digital resources and the actions of potential attackers.
These resources aim to ensure business continuity and improve measures aimed at data confidentiality. This way, the company will be able to comply with the specifications and rules implemented by the General Data Protection Law.
Find out more about the rules introduced by this new legislation:
How does cloud security work?
As we said above, cloud security encompasses a wide range of tools and methodologies that must be implemented to increase the security of this technology . The main objective of these changes is to ensure that data and applications that are stored in a cloud environment are only accessed by duly authorized users.
Security in cloud architecture encompasses four main factors:
Microsegmentation
Microsegmentation refers to the technique of segmenting a company's data center according to the level of access and type of individual activity performed. With this, managers are able to establish access levels and implement specific security policies , minimizing the damage that can be caused by an invasion of the systems.
NGFW Firewall
The next generation firewall performs a deeper inspection of access packets within a company's networks and systems. Through its technology, it can establish an inspection at the level of the application and the resources used, preventing undue access and maintaining data confidentiality.
Cryptography
Data encryption allows information to be encoded, so that access is only carried out using a specific key . These encoded algorithms help keep data confidential , preventing unauthorized access and creating an extra layer of protection for your information.
Threat detection
Constant monitoring is essential to prevent cyber threats and unauthorized access. It is very important that your company keeps a close eye on all accesses to detect possible unauthorized access and malicious behavior .
Benefits of Cloud Security
According to a survey carried out by the Brazilian Association of Software Companies , there is a prospect of 41% growth in investment in cloud services in 2023, exceeding US＄ 4.5 billion. This research highlighted the growth of this technology and its use by companies.
Since cloud technology is one of the most used tools today , cloud security becomes essential to increase the protection of information that passes through a business's networks and devices. Investing in cloud security resources will bring numerous benefits to your company, such as:
Access control
It is essential to ensure that confidential information can only be accessed by previously authorized users. In this way, cloud security contributes to data protection and allows documents to only be available to certified users.
In this sense, we also refer to a company's own employees. This is because not all employees need to have access to all document levels , making it necessary to implement specific policies according to business needs.
Data encryption
Cloud security uses encryption to ensure that sensitive information cannot be viewed without specific access credentials. When passing through the system, data is transformed into a unique and specific code, which cannot be accessed or opened by unauthorized users.
Scalability
It is very important that companies have the possibility of transforming their technological resources according to their demand. Scalability will ensure that, if the company needs to modify its standards or add security items, this process will be done easily and quickly.
What are the principles of cloud network security?
In order to keep up with the constant evolution of technology, security tools undergo periodic updates . When it comes to cloud technology, these improvements are paramount. This is because security problems within cloud tools can cause the service to be unavailable and harm the company's image in the market.
To ensure that your resources are always protected, there are fundamental principles of network security in the cloud, as we will see below:
Privileged user access
To ensure that data remains confidential and protected, company managers need to exercise more assertive control over access. To achieve this, there are security features and tools that help you gain complete control over access to a device or network.
This monitoring will help ensure that the information presents an extra layer of protection, preventing access by unauthorized users. The greater the company's internet access control, the easier it will be to predict malicious actions and block unauthorized access attempts.
Compliance
It is the responsibility of the company and its managers to ensure the protection and integrity of the information stored by the business . In this sense, it is also the company's responsibility to ensure that its employees are prepared to deal with this type of information and prevent data leaks.
A company's compliance must be regulated and must be complied with by employees in order to avoid creating points of vulnerability and security breaches . Problems of this type can cause indescribable losses for businesses and harm their positioning and image in the market.
Data location
The location where data is stored must be secure and reliable to prevent leaks and access by unauthorized users. Incorrect handling of this information can cause problems in the continuity of activities and expose the company to penalties imposed by the LGPD.
The company responsible for the cloud computing structure must be transparent about the storage location and security tools that will be used to keep this information confidential. Furthermore, this service provider must also comply with the regulations and rules required by current legislation.
Data segregation
When providing cloud services, it is very common for there to be a divided environment for several companies. To avoid problems, the provider company must inform about the strategies and resources used to isolate data in its infrastructure.
It is the IT manager's responsibility to collect this information, understand how the structure works and avoid possible implications. For this reason, communication between the contracting company and the contractor must be clear and objective.
Data recovery
Just as it is essential to have security tools to maintain information protection, it is also extremely important to implement a backup strategy . We know that data loss can cause losses due to service unavailability, and the more prepared your company is, the smaller the implications will be in the face of technological problems and cyber threats.
3 types of cloud technology: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
Cloud tools come in three main types: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS). See below how each option works individually:
IaaS
Infrastructure as a service is a tool used to provide infrastructure services, such as resource virtualization and cloud storage. Through this resource, the company can count on these services but is responsible for the data, operating system, execution environment, applications, and much more . It is the provider's responsibility to provide access to the servers, networks and resources necessary for the service.
This alternative reduced the need for its own data center , helping companies save resources and bring more practicality to their daily lives. Furthermore, this solution also provided flexibility and scalability for digital tools.
PaaS
When we talk about platform as a service , we refer to the hosting of software and hardware components through a provider . This way, the contracting company can use these resources as an integrated solution, bringing more practicality and intelligence to its technology sector.
Through the platform as a service, companies are able to manage, develop and run applications in the cloud environment without the need to maintain a complete infrastructure for these processes. This means that the entire development environment is offered by the contracted company.
SaaS
Known as cloud application services , SaaS is a broader and more comprehensive form of cloud computing. Through it, the company will have a complete application that is accessed via a browser , with just one access and is carried out through an API or control panel.
The biggest advantage of this feature is that all fixes, updates and maintenance tasks are the responsibility of the provider. The company is only responsible for management through the control panel, without the need for individual installation .
As with any application we use on the internet, the contracting company will only be able to access the platform with your login information.
Benefits of SaaS in cloud security
Software as a service is an economical alternative that can provide several advantages for a company. Since it is the contracted company's responsibility to ensure the proper functioning of all resources, this alternative brings practicality and quality to the services.
The main benefits of cloud applications as a service are:
Time optimization
Software as a service can be installed easily and quickly, saving a lot of time for the company. Furthermore , it is also possible to carry out a test before purchasing in order to check the ease of use and the advantages that the resource presents.
Adaptation
Small and medium-sized companies can benefit greatly from this type of solution. Developed in an intuitive and easy-to-use manner, this type of software can be used in a simplified manner by users of all knowledge levels , meaning the company does not need to rely on specialized employees.
Cost benefit
With a low initial cost, SaaS presents itself as an economical and efficient solution for companies that want to save resources . This is because with the use of the software, it is not necessary to purchase the program permanently.
Simplified updates
In traditional software there is a need to constantly update the tool, generating costs and taking a lot of time. Thanks to software-as-a-service cloud technology, these updates are simplified and do not cause any downtime for the company.
Reduced need for technical resources and tools
SaaS contributes positively to a company's cost reduction. In addition to having a low initial acquisition cost , it also requires no technical resources for installation and operation, as it is made available through cloud technology.
Cloud security differences
Cloud technology has transformed the way many things are carried out during our daily lives at the company. Although this technology has advanced considerably in recent years, many people still have doubts about the confidentiality provided by this feature.
The benefits provided by cloud computing technology are countless, and its security features are being optimized day after day. In addition to providing a digital environment for exchanging and storing information and making resources and applications available, it can also be protected with equally technological resources.
Investing in cloud security will reduce the chances of suffering from cyber attacks and loss of information. We know that it can often be difficult to find the necessary tools to prevent this information from being leaked and ensuring the protection of the data that is stored can cause some insecurity, but technology is a valuable ally for your company.
There are now security tools developed specifically to help your company maintain the confidentiality of your information. For this reason, it is necessary to understand that cloud security is fundamental and should be a priority within your company. Features such as access control will help prevent unauthorized users from accessing confidential information, bringing more confidence to consumers and strengthening your company's image in the market.
Why is cloud security important for your business?
Since most companies already use at least part of their resources in a cloud environment, investing in cloud security is essential to optimize processes and ensure the maintenance of privacy within your company . In addition to being a fully scalable and customizable solution, cloud security will provide an extra layer of protection for the data that is stored and for the applications that are used daily in the company.
Cloud security also allows you to develop the automation of monitoring controls for digital environments within your business. In this way, this security strategy will greatly contribute to the maintenance of your company's processes, preventing the unavailability and leakage of confidential information.
