Cyber threats just keep on coming, and even the cloud isn’t safe from them. Here’s how companies are turning to managed cloud service providers to protect their clouds from hackers, ransomware, and more.
Cloud Computing and its Effects on Cybersecurity
Cloud computing became a necessity during the pandemic, creating needed flexibility for a remote workforce. However, with productivity gains came data breaches and cyber threats, and 79% of companies suffered at least one data breach while 43% endured 10 or more – at an average cost of $4.24 million per breach.
As cybercriminals become ever more sophisticated, businesses have to keep upping their security game. The new normal of remote and hybrid working doesn’t help matters, adding a new layer of complexity to keeping your cloud secure as 65% of workers use coffee shops, shared workspaces, and their homes as offices. It’s become impossible for in-house IT teams to keep up with new threats – of the most common cloud security threats in 2021, about 60% of them were new.
Enter the managed cloud service provider, with a team of experts for whom security is their only focus, with a passion for finding and defeating new and emerging threats. This means in-house IT teams can focus on value-add projects for the core business while their managed cloud service provider delivers the robust security they need. New security challenges are emerging at a rapid pace. Let’s take a look at the top cloud security implementation trends on our radar for 2022 to keep your confidential information safe.
1. Cybersecurity Mesh
Cybersecurity mesh integrates security services in a flexible, composable architecture. This includes measures for identity verification, context, and policy adherence, all of which brings your cloud services into alignment with zero-trust architecture best practices. This requires endpoint detection and response as well as multi-factor authentication along with other measures.
2. A data-centric approach
Speaking of zero-trust, data will play a big part in cyber defenses for 2022. This includes defining a standardized enterprise controls framework, sensitive data protection with confidential computing, and continuous monitoring of security and compliance across the enterprise. Businesses will be preparing to enable secure artificial intelligence (AI) on confidential data.
3. Containerization
A container is a package of software with everything necessary to run in any environment. They can virtualize operating systems for use on anything from a public cloud to the personal laptop of a developer. These virtual desktops offer a number of security advantages, including:
- Users work on the latest, up-to-date software with all security patches applied.
- Disaster recovery and business continuity because your virtual desktops are dynamically hosted in the cloud and available and ready to support work in remote locations.
- Sensitive data is centralized and never appears at the endpoint. It’s simply rendered on the screen, which reduces the necessity for endpoint data protection.
- Employee access is more secure. The virtual workspaces, which layer on top of your local operating system, use sandbox techniques to foil keystroke loggers and memory mappers, app and operating system infections, and end-users who decide to change security settings.
4. Security without borders
Remote work and zero-trust architecture are here to stay, and perimeter security has gone the way of the dinosaur. Business continuity will be dependent upon providing access to essential assets to employees wherever they are. These remote employees are likely using their own computers or shared devices that are on unsecured networks. This requires businesses to redesign security controls as well as identity and access management policies. This means having complete visibility into every connected device and their endpoints.
5. An emphasis on identity-defined security
Your cloud services provider likely has a shared responsibility security model. This means they take ownership of the security of the cloud, while you, the user, are responsible for security in the cloud. Simply put, this means you are responsible for security of your applications and network, as well as encryption of your data and other security measures.
It’s predicted that through 2025, 99% of security failures in the cloud will be the fault of the user.
Misconfigured security in the cloud offers criminals a large area of attack, and as your business grows, so does your risk. A managed cloud service provider can make sure you’re in the 1% by implementing an identity-defined security strategy.
6. Security automation
Security is never one-and-done. Constant updates are necessary to protect your data. Security testing and configuration should be automated to offer better protection
7. DevSecOps tooling
The latest thing among cyber attackers is putting malware in the software supply chain. DevSecOps tooling is lacking, and because cloud infrastructure and configuration setup are complex, it can be filled with vulnerabilities. This will be something your managed cloud services team understands and will keep a close eye on.
8. Connecting to the cloud edge
Security access service edge (SASE) bundles network and security-as-a-service together to deliver them as a single cloud service, unifying network and security tools. This offers a security and networking mechanism that’s independent of the location of employees and resources. Combined services include firewall as a service, software as a service, cloud access security brokers, secure web gateways, and all-important zero-trust network access. SASE gives businesses with remote workers cost-effective, agile, and scalable networking and security.
As the world of cyber security becomes ever more complex, and the cost of data breaches and ransomware continues to rise, a lack of workers with cybersecurity skills has left many businesses scrambling for talent. This makes the case for a managed cloud services provider. They can save you money and give you centralized control over your most important business asset: your data.
iVenture Solutions managed cybersecurity services, which are part of our managed cloud services, offers next-generation behavior-based protection, threat detection and response, firewall management, secure cloud-based backup, and a security operations center, among other cloud security best practices. Contact us for a free comprehensive evaluation of your current cybersecurity efforts and to learn how we can keep you safe, secured, and assured.
