Cloud Security Best Practices Every Business Should Consider

Cloud technology has become an important part of modern business operations. Organizations use cloud platforms for file storage, collaboration, email, applications, backups, and other essential services.

Moving business systems to the cloud can provide flexibility and accessibility, but it also creates security responsibilities that businesses need to address. Protecting cloud-based information requires more than simply choosing a reputable provider. Businesses must also consider how users access information, how accounts are secured, and how sensitive data is managed.

A proactive cloud security strategy can help organizations reduce unnecessary risk while supporting the productivity benefits of cloud technology.

Understand What Data Is in the Cloud

One of the first steps in cloud security is understanding what information the business is storing and where it is located.

Companies may have sensitive financial records, customer information, employee data, intellectual property, and other important documents spread across multiple cloud applications.

Businesses should maintain an understanding of:

• Which cloud services employees are using
• What information is stored in each platform
• Who has access to sensitive data
• Which applications are business-critical
• How information is backed up and recovered

Having greater visibility into cloud environments makes it easier to identify potential security gaps.

Use Strong Authentication

User accounts are an important component of cloud security. A compromised password can potentially give an unauthorized individual access to business systems and information.

Strong authentication practices can help protect these accounts.

Multi-factor authentication adds another verification step beyond a username and password. Even if a password is compromised, an additional authentication requirement can provide another layer of protection.

Businesses should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for cloud applications, email, remote access, and other systems containing sensitive information.

Manage User Access Carefully

Not every employee needs access to every business system or file.

Access permissions should be based on what employees actually need to perform their jobs. Giving users unnecessary access can increase the potential impact of a compromised account.

Businesses should regularly review permissions and remove access when employees change roles or leave the organization.

A well-managed access strategy can help limit exposure while allowing employees to access the information required for their responsibilities.

Keep Software and Systems Updated

Cloud applications and connected devices can depend on software that receives regular security updates.

Businesses should maintain a process for keeping operating systems, applications, network equipment, and other technology current.

Updates can address known vulnerabilities and improve system functionality. Delaying important updates can leave technology exposed to vulnerabilities that have already been identified.

A proactive IT team can help businesses monitor technology environments and keep critical systems maintained.

Protect Business Data With Backups

Cloud storage should not automatically be treated as a complete backup strategy.

Businesses should understand how their cloud providers protect data and what options are available for recovering information after accidental deletion, account compromise, ransomware, or another disruptive event.

A comprehensive backup strategy should consider which information needs to be protected, how frequently it should be backed up, where backups are stored, and how quickly data can be restored.

Testing recovery procedures is also important. A backup is most useful when an organization knows that its data can actually be recovered when needed.

Train Employees on Cloud Security

Technology alone cannot eliminate every security risk.

Employees interact with cloud applications every day, making security awareness an important part of an organization’s overall strategy.

Employees should understand how to recognize suspicious emails, phishing attempts, unexpected login requests, malicious links, and other common threats.

Regular security awareness training can help employees recognize potential problems and know how to report them.

Monitor Cloud Activity

Businesses should also consider how activity within their cloud environment is monitored.

Unusual login locations, unexpected access attempts, changes to permissions, or abnormal file activity may indicate that an account or system requires further investigation.

Monitoring can provide organizations with greater visibility into what is happening within their technology environment and can help identify potentially suspicious activity sooner.

Create a Cloud Security Strategy

Every business has different technology requirements. A company with a small number of cloud applications may have very different security considerations than an organization operating across multiple cloud platforms.

A cloud security strategy should take the organization’s systems, users, data, compliance requirements, and operational needs into account.

Regular assessments can help identify areas that need improvement as technology and security threats continue to change.

Build a More Secure Cloud Environment

Cloud technology can provide businesses with valuable flexibility and accessibility, but security needs to remain part of the overall technology strategy.

Strong authentication, appropriate access controls, employee training, system updates, monitoring, and reliable backups can all contribute to a more comprehensive approach to protecting cloud-based business information.

InfoSystems, Inc. helps businesses manage technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and strategic IT needs. Contact InfoSystems to discuss how a proactive approach to cloud security can help protect your organization’s technology environment.