How Has Cybersecurity Changed Since the Arrival of the Cloud?

Posted on April 22, 2021 Backups & DR

Innovation of cybersecurity in cloud services has greatly improved business capabilities to scale services with peace of mind.

Did you know the concept of cloud computing began in the 1960s? Much has changed in today’s cloud, and danger lurks in every corner. Cybersecurity in the cloud has had to adapt as new threats appear with more significant payloads and risks.

Businesses today are putting more of their operations in the cloud, which makes cybersecurity essential. If cybersecurity is a significant concern to your firm, continue reading below to learn more about it.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Many people don’t understand what Cloud Computing is or how it works. Marketing gurus have us convinced it exists in the cloud, but that’s not the reality.

Cloud Computing is the delivery of data and other services using the internet. These resources include tools and servers, databases, networking, applications, and software.

Businesses have been flocking to the cloud to save their company’s financial resources since maintaining on-site data centers is costly.

Cloud-based storage makes it possible for them to move files from local networks and systems and migrate them to remote databases. Access to the systems requires an internet connection to access the data and the software needed to run it.

What Is Cybersecurity?

It’s hard not to know a little about cybersecurity in these times. Remote workers have needed to become a bit more cybersecurity savvy by necessity.

If you work with internet-connected systems, such as software, hardware, and data, the methods you use to protect them from cyber threats is cybersecurity.

There are many risks right now, so knowing what cybersecurity is or how to get it is essential.

An excellent security position for networks, servers, computers, mobile devices, and their data ensures that attackers who have malicious goals are unsuccessful. Cybersecurity is vital since the organizations behind many cyber-attacks attempt to infiltrate, access, delete, or extort a firm’s sensitive data.

Industries such as medical, corporate, government, and financial are particularly vulnerable to be the targets of such attacks.

Things are continually changing in cybersecurity, the development of new technology brings advancements, but they also carry new threats. Business size isn’t a factor as threats are carried out against businesses of all sizes. SME’s should be concerned about security breaches as they are frequently the targets for malware and phishing campaigns.

Cybersecurity in Cloud Computing

According to a report by the IDC, some analysts project the outlay for companies adopting cloud computing is expected to reach near $500 billion by 2023. With this much growth, cybersecurity must be in full focus for every business.

You’re not alone if you’re trying to wrap your head around the idea of cloud security for your company. Implementing strict cybersecurity best practices will help keep your cloud infrastructure stay protected.

User Access Control Implementation

Admins should manage and control user access to cloud servers and the cloud infrastructure in general. Only those who require the data should have access to it. The process can be entirely automated if the right directory service is in place. It helps keep the process accurate and saves time as new users are onboarded, and existing users access new servers.

SSH Keys Wherever Possible

SSH Keys use public and private key pairs that establish secure server connections. How these keys are generated, maintained, and finally removed at their end of life should follow a management policy mandate.

Multi-Factor Authentication Required

MFA or multi-factor authentication makes users prove who they are by using something they know, such as a password and something they have like a security token, TOTP token, or similar. When you require MFA where it is possible, it helps to minimize the security risk should credentials get lost, stolen, or compromised in some way.

Patch Management

Automated and regularly scheduled updates using patch management can address many security vulnerabilities. Admins should have a plan of action in place to address zero-day or more critical vulnerabilities.

Besides these, system insight monitoring and telemetry give admins a clear view of the activity on their networks, systems, and any vulnerabilities as well.

What Is Disaster Recovery as a Service?

Disaster Recovery as a Service, also known as DRaaS, is a fully managed service provided by your cloud or other managed services provider. It is a service where a copy of your data is backed up to a remote server to be used if your files, software, and cloud-stored applications ever need to be restored.

You should ensure that your DRaaS solution has these essential elements to protect your firm’s valuable data.

Robust Infrastructure

Most firms have regulatory standards that they must meet. Your cloud partner and DRaaS provider must ensure its I.T. infrastructure can meet your compliance requirements. Look for redundancy across essential network components when examining your provider’s data center.

Ensure that their security is up to date. It’s best if their center is located away from disaster-prone areas while not being so far away that your network costs will be high.

Excellent Reputation and Track Record

DRaaS has been growing widely, according to this Global News Wire release. Industry experts expect the market to continue to grow by $27.44 billion by 2024 at the current CAGR rate of 43%. When selecting a provider, it’s critical to visit trusted review sites. Then ask targeted questions on issues specific to your business to ensure they have the expertise you need.

Service Flexibility

One of the primary benefits of a cloud-based network is its flexibility. Flexibility also should filter into its DRaaS solution. Cloud backups are a critical part of a DRaaS solution, so check into the details of the options included.

For example, are there multiple destinations for recovery, and can you restore specific files or entire systems?

Comprehensive SLAs

Service Level Agreements or SLAs include issues that go beyond backup options. Some of these are data movement to and from the cloud; and cover scalability, location, and accessibility. Review your draft SLA and request changes if needed. Be sure all your concerns are addressed before you sign.

Schedule a meeting with your legal team and include primary stakeholders. Review the SLA to negotiate terms critical to your organization.

Complete Transparency

An excellent DRaaS solution includes users in all aspects of the recovery process. Check with your providers on these before finalizing your selection:

  • How much time is required to restore a data set or system?
  • What are the performance expectations of failed systems after being ported to the cloud?
  • How much time is required to shift from backs to a live system?
  • What are the risks of downtime should a move to live operations fail?
  • Is there a time limit to maintaining the recovery environment? Are there additional fees?

It’s essential to know that their solution is the right one for your business.

Changes to Cybersecurity in the Cloud

Cybersecurity has become a top concern for most businesses. Since the beginning of cloud computing, users have been skeptical about trusting their data will be secure in an offsite data center, such as a cloud computing system. It’s essential to understand that most security breaches stem from code errors that let hackers access a network.

Breaches are even more concerning where IoT devices are involved. Once a hacker accesses one device, the entire network of connected devices is at risk.

In a traditional network, repairing the code or patch their breaks generally requires an entire team of in-house techs. They write new code and pass it through a process before it is finally implemented on every system.

The actual writing of the code takes the least amount of time. It’s the procedure itself that is time-consuming.

The world of cloud computing has changed this procedure dramatically. Some say that the time needed to install a code change has been diminished to almost nothing.  What’s more, an on-site datacenter would require a full tech team to manage it round the clock. Cybersecurity in the cloud has made the management of data centers more straightforward.

Cybersecurity in the cloud uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to track system operations. It means the need for continual monitoring by on-site staff is reduced. Your provider’s dedicated team develops all patches your system needs. Then they are implemented automatically and nearly instantaneously for everyone using the cloud system.

It all happens behind the clouds without any need for user input and making dedicated IT staff unnecessary.

Next Steps for Cybersecurity in the Cloud

Cloud-based systems and cloud security often work together to keep things running smoothly. Cybersecurity in the cloud is continually changing to put up the best defense against new cyber threats. A provider like Netdepot has the resources you need to keep your data secure in the cloud. 

If you have questions, their dedicated staff has the answers you need to help make your business’s best decision. Netdepot has over 20 years of experience helping companies like yours. Get in touch today.

Contact Us Today To Experience How We Can Save You Time, Money And Stress