The Cloud gives you the flexibility to run your business from anywhere, the efficiency to enhance your team’s performance and a strategic edge to stay ahead of competitors without a considerable cost. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Business owners often have the misconception that once their data is in this realm, it is fully protected. But that’s not quite how it works. Instead, it’s a team effort, and you have a crucial role.
Cloud computing is a system of delivering computing services over the Internet. These services include storage, servers, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. Instead of owning and maintaining physical data centers or servers, organizations utilize services such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to access and store data remotely. This makes operations more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective.
The shared responsibility model
The service provider (SP) and the customer must fulfill specific responsibilities regarding securing data. This security practice is called the shared responsibility model. However, if you don’t know which security tasks are your responsibility, gaps may exist that leave you vulnerable without you realizing it. The key to keeping your data secure is knowing where the SP’s job ends and yours begins. This begins with analyzing your agreement to understand the specific security roles assigned to the SP and what responsibilities remain within your purview.
What’s your responsibility in the cloud?
While every provider may be different, here’s a simple breakdown of what you’re likely to be responsible for:
- Your data: Just because your files are in the cloud doesn’t mean they’re automatically protected.
What you must do:
- Encrypt sensitive files to make it difficult for hackers to read them if they were stolen.
- Set access controls to limit users from viewing privileged information.
- Back up critical data to ensure business continuity and minimize downtime.
- Your applications: If you use any apps, you are also responsible for securing them.
What you must do:
- Keep software updated, as older versions may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
- Limit third-party app access to reduce the chances of unauthorized logins.
- Monitor for unusual activity to prevent potential data breaches.
Your continued role in the cloud
- Your credentials: You can’t secure your accounts using weak passwords.
What you must do:
- Enforce strong password protocols to prevent unauthorized access to the cloud.
- Use multi-factor authentication as an extra precautionary step.
- Implement provider policies that limit access based on roles and responsibilities.
- Your configurations: You’re responsible for setting up configurations correctly and monitoring them regularly.
What you must do:
- Disable public access to storage to prevent outsiders from accessing your files.
- Set up activity logs to track who’s doing what.
- Regularly audit permissions to ensure only the right users have access.
Take charge without worry!
You don’t need to be a Cybersecurity expert to secure your business in the cloud—you need the right people. As an experienced SP, we understand your challenges. Whether protecting your customer data or setting up configurations properly, we know how to do Cybersecurity right.
We are crucial in driving business success in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. However, managing infrastructure and systems can pose a significant challenge for many organizations. However, remember that they are not all created equal. While a good provider might ensure that your systems are running efficiently, a great one can take your business to the next level. Technology shouldn’t be a burden to your business—it should be an asset that drives success. If you’re tired of dealing with roadblocks, unpredictable costs and outdated strategies, it’s time to make a change.
Your business can’t grow without regular check-ups to reset and protect what matters most. We give you an edge by ensuring you’re ready for what’s next. Don’t wait for a crisis to slow you down. Contact us today! Let’s create a strategy to help take your business to the next level. www.CybersecurityMadeEasy.com
