What Is Cloud-Based Security?

Cloud-based security delivers a wide range of security services from remote servers via an internet connection, rather than from software and hardware installed on-premises. Cloud-based solutions allow organizations to avoid the need to install and manage security solutions on-site, and enterprise cloud security teams can manage cloud-based programs remotely from a web-based dashboard from any location. Cloud-based security typically includes solutions for Zero Trust Network Access, cloud access security brokers, threat intelligence, data security, data loss prevention, and identity and access management.

Digital assets in the cloud are subject to a broad range of potential threats and risks.

• Cyberattacks. The landscape of cyberthreats is constantly evolving. As threats become more sophisticated and harder to detect, cloud-based security must evolve as well.
• Configuration errors. Many cloud applications and security infrastructure can be configured to increase protection. But too often, these security settings are mismanaged or not configured at all, opening the door to potential breaches.
• Account takeover. Using stolen credentials, malicious actors can take over an account and impersonate a user to steal funds or access sensitive data.
• Data leaks. Accidental or malicious data leaks can expose sensitive data or private customer information.
• Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. DoS attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are intended to crash systems and machines or to degrade performance. DoS and DDoS attacks are often combined with other attack vectors, serving as a decoy to draw the attention of security teams away from more dangerous attacks.
• APIs. The proliferation of APIs has vastly expanded the attack surface for many organizations. When these software programs are left unprotected, threat actors may be able to easily exploit them to gain unauthorized access.
• Human error. A majority of security failures began with a mistake made by a user. From misconfiguration to taking the bait on a phishing scam, human error is a primary threat to enterprise security.

Cloud-based security solutions are designed to overcome the same challenges as on-premises technologies.

• Lack of visibility into cloud environments. Public cloud providers do not offer unlimited visibility into cloud environments in their data centers, making it difficult for cybersecurity teams to track and manage threats effectively.
• Collateral damage. Public cloud environments offer compute, storage, and networking resources where multiple customers may share the services provided by the same physical server. This multitenant arrangement can represent potential security risk for a company when another organization on the same server is attacked.
• Shadow IT. Many users turn to commercial cloud services to share files or enhance productivity without seeking approval from IT. When these instances of shadow IT are not governed by security policy or protected by security programs, they can represent a significant risk.
• Compliance with regulations. Laws and regulations govern how private customer data should be stored, used, retained, and protected. When data is kept in cloud storage, complying with regulations around data sovereignty and residency can be complicated.

Cloud-based security services offer many benefits over on-premises solutions.

• Lower costs. With cloud-based security services, organizations can avoid the costs of hardware, software, and licensing for on-premises security solutions. IT teams can manage security more easily without needing to add staff resources.
• Better diligence. With many cloud-based security solutions, the cloud service provider is responsible for tasks related to updating software and applying patches to remediate vulnerabilities on an optimal cadence.
• Streamlined management. With cloud-based security, cloud providers will take care of many of the day-to-day tasks of managing security controls, freeing IT teams to attend to other priorities.
• Up-to-date tools. Cloud-based security services allow IT teams to work with the latest tools, virus definitions, anti-virus software, and other security solutions.
• Exceptional scalability. Like all cloud services, cloud-based security offerings can scale quickly and easily to secure additional users, devices, and locations.
• Security expertise. Since cloud-based security providers are focused solely on security, they can hire specialists who bring more skills, experience, and expertise to the job.
• Accelerated deployment. While installing and configuring on-premises solutions may take weeks or months, setting up cloud-based security services can often be completed in minutes or hours.
• Faster incident response. Cloud-based solutions help to accelerate response time when security events occur, remediating vulnerabilities and neutralizing threats more quickly.
• Easier compliance. IT teams often find it overwhelming to ensure compliance with frameworks such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. Cloud-based security solutions streamline compliance tasks and enable IT teams to offload many compliance responsibilities.

Protecting your network requires a multilayered approach to cloud computing security that involves a number of best practices.

Vulnerability remediation. Software vulnerabilities are a number one attack vector for threat actors. Keeping systems updated and applying patches quickly can prevent attackers from exploiting flaws in applications.

Encryption. Sensitive data must be automatically encrypted when at rest and in transit. Strong encryption can ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks governing the use and storage of sensitive data.

Automated backups. Regular data backups can mitigate the damage of data losses caused by accidental deletion, data corruption, and ransomware attacks.

Access controls. Strong identity management and authentication technologies like multi-factor authentication help to prevent unauthorized access to cloud data and apps.

Security awareness. Security awareness training promotes good security hygiene and helps users recognize phishing schemes and other potential threats.

Securing assets in the cloud requires a multilayered approach to defending against a broad range of threats. The most common cloud-based security solutions include:

Identity and access management. Strong identity and access controls help to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Multi-factor authentication solutions make it harder for malicious actors to use stolen credentials to access cloud assets.

Data loss prevention (DLP). DLP solutions inspect outgoing traffic to prevent inadvertent or malicious leaks of sensitive data like credit card information, financial data, intellectual property, and other valuable information.

Continuous monitoring. Security solutions that allow IT teams to continuously monitor cloud platforms and services can help to quickly identify and remediate potential threats.

Security information and event management (SIEM). SIEM solutions offer real-time monitoring and analysis of security events, and tracking and logging of security data that support security audits and compliance efforts.

Cloud network security. By monitoring network traffic, cloud network security solutions can block threats from entering the network and quickly remediate threats that have successfully breached defenses before they can move laterally to access high-value targets.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). ZTNA technology requires users and applications to be authenticated on every request for access to cloud assets, helping to prevent data breaches more successfully.

Firewall as a service (FWaaS). A FWaaS solution replaces physical firewall appliances with cloud-based solutions that deliver advanced firewall capabilities, including URL filtering, advanced threat prevention, intrusion prevention, access controls, and DNS security.

Data protection. By encrypting data in transit and at rest, IT teams can better protect data in the cloud and ensure compliance with a broad array of regulatory frameworks.

Threat intelligence. The very latest threat intelligence can help organizations identify and defend against emerging cyberthreats.

Cloud access security brokers (CASBs). A CASB sits between customers and their cloud services to help enforce security policies and add a layer of security.