The Top 5 Benefits of a Cloud Security Solution

Cloud Computing is the best way to achieve digital agility across your enterprise. Moving your data, infrastructure, and applications from on-premise hardware to the cloud supports the productivity of your hybrid workforce. While always-on availability and collaborative communication are huge benefits of cloud computing, the challenge of securing a perimeter that is in constant motion is best left to those experienced in delivering secure cloud services.

Many companies have rapidly implemented cloud solutions within the last two years to accommodate remote work. But the hasty migration may have increased attack surfaces and led to wasteful technology acquisitions, insecure data transfers, and compliance issues. Cloud solutions must be addressed as part of your overall security posture to maximize the benefits of data reliability, availability, and security.

What is Cloud Security?

Cloud Security protects cloud-based services, applications, and data through governance policies, technology, threat management, defined processes, and accessibility controls.

The protection of your business-critical data and applications can be a shared responsibility and a shared cost when you partner with a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) that you couldn’t afford on your own. When cloud computing is delivered securely in an OpEx model, not only will you have lower upfront costs, but you will also be able to scale according to demand. While cloud strategies seem standard for future-focused business organizations, Gartner is seeing that “execution remains impeded by a lack of necessary skills and tools to ensure secure cloud computing deployments.”  

Security is critical to maximizing the benefits of cloud services. From the CEO to software developers, everyone in the organization needs to take a security-first approach to cloud services. Engaging an MSP experienced in cloud deployments to help build and implement your cloud strategy will ensure that cloud deployment and execution will be appropriately managed.

The 5 Key Benefits of a Cloud Security Solution

1. Proactive threat management
   
   Dedicated and experienced cloud architects ensure that security is deployed over your many endpoints (access ports, devices, and applications). A cloud security solution must include matured processes, visibility, tracking, 24/7/365 monitoring, and industry-leading technology to provide a proactive and responsive threat management system via a centralized management hub. Threats like DDoS (denial of service) attacks can be thwarted with active monitoring and traffic disbursement to minimize risk.
   
   
2. Data security
   
   A robust cloud security solution protects the entire data lifecycle – from creation to destruction. Critical data should be protected with encryption, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and tested backups. Internal and external discipline policies must be defined to limit access to data based on the principle of least privilege.
   
   
3. Regulatory compliance
   
   Data security and privacy are top concerns for regulated industries as well as consumers. Top-tier cloud security solutions manage and maintain enhanced security around infrastructure to meet compliance and to protect personal and financial data.
   
   
4. Scalability
   
   A scalable cloud computing solution is responsive to fluctuations in demand and can adjust capacity, security coverage, and costs accordingly. For example, when you have periods of high traffic, server capacity increases to avoid server crashes. But once the demand is scaled back, charges are reduced. Why pay for additional infrastructure when shifts in demand could leave expensive equipment underutilized?
   
   
5. High availability and support
   
   High availability means that cloud computing can keep business critical systems running securely despite single component failures. Backed by constant monitoring, geo-redundancy, and failover protocols, your cloud-based data and applications are ready to support your workforce. A best-practice cloud security solution offers constant support for a company’s digital assets and provides solutions when disruptions threaten the environment. This includes live monitoring 24/7/365 to address issues in real time. 

Security First Approach to Cloud Computing

Before a cyber event forces your hand, take the time – as a critical priority - to tighten the security of your cloud environment. Gartner found that 75% of security failures point to privilege mismanagement, and you can avoid that danger with integrated authentication controls, role-based access, encryption, firewalls, governance, and policy enforcement. 

Cloud security is not just an IT issue but plays an essential role in your overall business strategy. As such, thoughtful cloud security planning should start with the CEO inviting cloud security experts to the discussion table. Future-focused businesses managing a multi-environment infrastructure should enhance their IT teams with the support of an MSP experienced in delivering efficient cloud security services.

TBConsulting has 25 years of IT and business experience in helping clients optimize their digital environments. Even though TBC is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, we serve clients across the globe with white glove service. At TBConsulting, our cloud architects and security teams have the passion, the processes, the expertise, and industry-leading tools to fully support your cloud environment. Our teams are constantly upskilling with advanced certifications and learning how to incorporate cloud governance best to support our clients’ business outcomes.