Enterprise Cloud Security: Benefits, Risks, and Security Tips for Using Clouds Protection

The use of cloud solutions is increasing across all sectors and industries. Companies of all sizes are increasingly relying on clouds to store their applications and data. However, there are some security concerns when using cloud services. Here is an overview of the advantages and risks of clouds as well as some tips for cloud security in companies. 

Clouds Are Popular: the Use of Cloud Solutions in Companies Is Increasing

The increasing number of users in recent years shows that cloud solutions are becoming increasingly popular among companies. In 2018, the statistics service "Statista" asked more than 500 German companies about their use of cloud computing. 73 percent of those surveyed stated that they already use cloud services in their company - and the trend is rising.

Most companies use cloud applications to secure data and information or as part of services. There are now cloud-based solutions for numerous use cases, such as for on-demand collaborations, web conferences, online backups, or customer relationship management. The use of such cloud-based applications means that most companies also store personal data and sensitive company data in the cloud. Despite security concerns, however, more and more companies are choosing to use clouds.

Three Arguments for Using the Cloud in Companies

The increasing use of cloud solutions is not surprising: The use of this innovative technology offers many advantages for companies. These are the three most common arguments:

1) Speed ​​and Flexibility

First of all, the cloud is immediately available and usable. This is a great advantage in contrast to the classic local data center, where the provision of resources can take several hours of work. Virtual IT resources are more flexible and can be adapted to your own needs to any extent.

2) Cost and Scalability

Another argument that convinces many decision-makers is the cost efficiency and scalability of cloud services. Many providers use a so-called “pay-per-use model”, in which the company only pays for the service that it actually uses. This offers the possibility of variably adapting fixed costs. If the company also looks for a provider to implement and operate the cloud, it reduces the administrative effort.

3) Digitization and Innovation

Digitization is making great strides in many companies - and at many points, it is going through the cloud. In order to digitally map complex business processes, flexible, scalable, and automatically provided resources, systems, and applications are required. Cloud technology enables the provision of suitable tools that meet these requirements and is therefore an important factor for the competitiveness of companies in times of digitization.

Enterprise Cloud Security Is a Challenge

With the numerous convincing advantages of cloud services, one important point should not be neglected: cloud security. If sensitive personal and company-related data is transmitted over the Internet, the appropriate security must be guaranteed. Data security should therefore be considered right from the start when planning the use of the cloud.

The challenge when using clouds is that conventional security methods that are used in corporate IT cannot be transferred one-to-one to cloud security. This creates technological obstacles, especially when migrating data and applications. Security barriers that are set up by firewalls and anti-virus scanners are exceeded, for example, through the use of cloud solutions. It is therefore important to ensure that everything that leaves your own network is encrypted.

Cloud Security at the Application and Infrastructure Level

To ensure cloud security, secure access management is required at the application level. Authentication ensures that only authorized users have access and that the content and data are protected from unauthorized access. Multiple authentications enable a higher level of security.

This multiple authentications consists in that at least two pieces of information are requested to confirm the identity of the user (so-called “two-factor authentication”). This can be, for example, a password and confirmation via a code that is sent to a cell phone number. Further authentication options are, for example, personal data, hardware such as a PC or laptop, or the fingerprint.

On the other hand, to ensure the security of the stored data and the uninterrupted provision of the service, a secure infrastructure is necessary. In many cases, these are provided by the providers. Modern technologies and permanently controlled access security and prevention systems guarantee comprehensive data protection. In addition, stable recovery procedures must be implemented that offer the necessary data protection in the event of a fault.

Enterprise Cloud Security: Choice of Provider

In many cases, these security settings and procedures are specified by the provider. However, especially if the cloud provider works with critical business information, you want to be sure that the provider is qualified and meets the security requirements. In many cases, it is hardly possible to check the security level and the internal structures and procedures of the provider himself. However, there is a helpful orientation through certificates.

In Germany, for example, the IT-Grundschutz of the BSI (Federal Office for Information Security) and the ISO standard 27001 prove that providers systematically address the issue of security. This certification ensures that the provider's security procedures are checked by independent third parties.

Enterprise Cloud Security: A Holistic Strategy

As popular as the use of cloud-based systems is in companies, the relationships between cloud use and IT security are just as complex. In order to ensure cloud security in companies by installing total security that has inbuilt with cloud protection technology, it is therefore important that security is included in the planning from the start. Cloud security requires a holistic approach and a comprehensive security concept that defines a cloud strategy sets security standards and guidelines and takes emergency management in the cloud into account in the event of a security incident.