5 Best Practices for Developing a Strong Cloud Security Strategy

4 min

In a world where data is the new oil, cloud technology has emerged as the reservoir that holds this precious resource. Yet, like a real storm, the cloud can turn from an awe-inspiring spectacle to a destructive force if not properly secured.

This is especially true if you’re a managed service provider (MSP) entrusted with safeguarding your clients’ data assets. Data is the lifeblood of your client’s business operations. Your clients entrust you with developing a cloud security strategy to protect their crown jewels – critical files, financial records, and confidential communications.

A single breach can siphon away the trust you’ve built in the very pulse of the businesses you support. Let’s explore how you can create an impenetrable cloud security strategy that’s robust enough to protect the invaluable assets in your care.

Securing client cloud data presents several challenges, mainly because the threat landscape constantly evolves. There are new daily vulnerabilities, which explains why 45% of all data breaches occur in the cloud. Statistics show that the average cost of data breaches for organizations with private and public clouds is $4.24 million and $5.02 million, respectively.

What Is Cloud Security?

Cloud security, also known as cloud computing security, refers to a broad set of policies, technologies, applications, and controls utilized to protect virtualized IP, data, applications, services, and the associated infrastructure of cloud computing. It’s a sub-discipline of computer security, network security, and, more broadly, information security.

Cloud security aims to keep your data, applications, and everything else tucked away in the cloud as safe and secure as if they were right there in your in-house IT setup. In other words, this can include protecting data from theft, deletion, and leakage, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and defending against cyber threats.

Best Practices for Developing a Strong Cloud Security Strategy

Despite the sophistication of cloud security, you should develop a comprehensive and robust cloud security strategy to protect your client’s data. 

Here are five of the best practices you should consider:

#1 Cloud security as a shared responsibility

As an MSP, it’s crucial to understand and share with your clients who does what. Usually, the cloud service providers secure the underlying infrastructure, but MSPs protect the data they place in the cloud.

As an MSP, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the services and security measures your cloud service provider offers. Ensure you know their updates,  recommendations, and best practices. Then use this information to strengthen your MSP security practices.

However, you should remember that protecting your customers’ data is mainly in your hands. Be sure to implement robust controls to monitor your network for suspicious activities. Proactively addressing security responsibilities will enable you to offer your customers a secure and reliable cloud environment.

#2 Robust access controls

Implementing strong access controls forms the bedrock of a robust cloud security strategy. Use Identity and Access Management (IAM) to define and manage individual network users’ roles and access privileges.

Couple IAM with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection, ensuring that users verify their identity through multiple means before gaining access. Remember to assign access privileges based on the least privilege principle, giving users the minimum access levels needed to perform their jobs.

This least privilege approach minimizes the risk of internal threats and accidental breaches.

You should regularly review user access privileges, ensuring they align with job functions, and promptly revoke access when no longer needed.

#3 Data encryption

Encryption is your last line of defense. If a cybercriminal bypasses all your other security measures, encrypted data remains protected. Encryption converts readable data into a coded version only authorized parties can decode.

As an MSP, encrypt all sensitive data at rest and in transit. When data is “at rest,” it’s stored in databases, archives, or other storage within the cloud. When data is “in transit,” it moves from one location to another, like from user devices to the cloud.

Consider using your CSP’s native encryption solutions or third-party tools as required. Coupled with strong key management practices, encryption ensures that even if data falls into the wrong hands, it remains indecipherable and useless.

#4 Backup and test disaster recovery

Accidents happen. Hardware fails, people make mistakes, and cyber-attacks occur. To protect your customers’ data, regularly back it up in a separate, secure location.

But don’t stop there. Periodically test your disaster recovery plans to ensure they work when needed. Testing highlights potential shortcomings in the recovery plan, allowing you to make necessary amendments before a real disaster strikes.

Discovering and fixing problems during a planned test is better than during a real disaster. Remember, your customers rely on you to quickly restore their operations following a disaster.

#4 Security posture monitoring

Security isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. New threats emerge every day, and your security measures must keep pace. Continually monitor your security posture using cloud security posture management solutions. 

Regularly review and update your security policies, practices, and procedures to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. Routine audits can also help verify compliance with internal and external security standards and pinpoint areas for improvement.

#5 Detection and prevention controls

Detection and prevention controls are crucial components of any robust cloud security strategy. These controls help you identify and mitigate potential security threats and breaches, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data stored in the cloud. 

Detection controls include real-time monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and log analysis. 

Prevention controls, on the other hand, focus on implementing preventive measures

to identify, monitor and address any weaknesses in the system before they occur. You can enhance your prevention using access controls, encryption, and vulnerability management to reduce the risk of security incidents proactively. 

By combining effective detection and prevention controls, your MSP can establish an effective defense mechanism to safeguard your cloud infrastructure and data from potential cyber threats.

How to Leverage Domotz to Boost Cloud Security

Leveraging a network monitoring solution is crucial in enhancing cloud security. By implementing such a solution, organizations gain real-time visibility into network traffic, allowing them to detect and respond to potential threats. Such solutions enable the monitoring of network activities, including data transfers, user access, and system vulnerabilities. 

Furthermore, network monitoring solutions provide insights into network performance, identifying potential weak points and optimization opportunities. By analyzing this data, security teams can identify suspicious behavior, unauthorized access attempts, or anomalies that may indicate a security breach. 

As you navigate this journey, let Domotz be your partner in progress. Our network monitoring software provides full visibility and control over your customers’ networks and IT assets. By proactively monitoring the network, you can fortify your cloud security posture and prevent potential cyber threats before they cause significant damage.

Check out our blog post about cloud network monitoring applications or find the full list of Cloud and Application Monitoring integrations.

Conclusion

In today’s hyper-connected world, securing your customers’ data in the cloud is not just an obligation. It’s the foundation of trust in your MSP business. These best practices can help you build a strong, robust, and adaptable cloud security strategy that aligns with the evolving threat landscape.