See how Cloud Security is Overwhelming us and How AI and Machine Learning can help. As companies embrace cloud computing, most struggle to keep pace with the increasingly complex environment and an expanding attack surface that challenges long-standing security conventions.
The sheer volume of devices, applications, and users working in the cloud creates a far too complex and high-volume ecosystem to be safeguarded by human security analysts. Companies need to bolster their security teams. As well as the general practices with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
To have the best chance at maintaining visibility, mitigating risk and optimizing for their most precious resource: human analysts. Cloud growth creates new security threats, and organizations are struggling. Whereby, all cloud models are susceptible to threats.
IT departments are naturally cautious about moving mission-critical systems to the cloud and it is essential the right security provisions are in place. Whether you are running a native cloud, hybrid or on-premise environment.
What Is Cloud Security?
In general, Cloud Security, also known as Cloud Computing Security, consists of a set of policies, controls, procedures, and technologies. Eventually, that work together to protect cloud-based systems, data, and infrastructure.
These security measures are configured to protect data, support regulatory compliance and protect customers’ privacy. As well as setting authentication rules for individual users and devices. From authenticating access to filtering traffic, it can be configured to the exact needs of the business.
And because these rules can be configured and managed in one place, administration overheads are reduced. Not to mention, IT teams are also empowered to focus on other areas of the business.
But, the way cloud security is delivered will depend on the individual cloud provider or the solutions in place. However, the implementation of cloud security processes should be a joint responsibility. Between the business owner and the solution provider.
Why Is Cloud Security Important?
For businesses transitioning to the cloud, robust cloud security is imperative. Security threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, and cloud computing is no less at risk than an on-premise environment. For this reason, it is essential to work with a cloud provider that offers best-in-class security that has been customized for your infrastructure. The other benefits it offers:
Centralized Security
Just as cloud computing centralizes applications and data, the CS centralizes protection. Cloud-based business networks consist of numerous devices and endpoints. Managing these entities centrally enhances traffic analysis and filtering streamlines the monitoring of network events. Resulting in fewer software and policy updates. Disaster recovery plans can also be implemented and actioned efficiently when they are managed in one place.
Reduced Costs
One of the benefits of utilizing cloud storage and security is that it eliminates the need to invest in dedicated hardware. Not only does this reduce capital expenditure, but it also reduces administrative overheads. Where once IT teams were firefighting security issues reactively, CS delivers proactive security features that offer protection 24/7 with little or no human intervention.
Reduced Administration
When you choose a reputable cloud services provider or platform, you can kiss goodbye to manual security configurations and almost constant security updates. These tasks can have a massive drain on resources, but when you move them to the cloud, all security administration happens in one place and is fully managed on your behalf.
Reliability
Cloud Computing Security services offer the ultimate in dependability. With suitable security measures in place, users can safely access data and applications within the cloud no matter where they are or what device they are using. More and more organizations are realizing the many business benefits of moving their systems to the cloud. However, it is essential that organizations have complete confidence in their computing security. And that all data, systems, and applications are protected from data theft, leakage, corruption, and deletion.
Performance
Cloud computing allows organizations to operate at scale, reduce technology costs, and use agile systems that give them a competitive edge. Additionally, it offers all the functionality of traditional IT security and allows businesses to harness the many advantages of cloud computing. At the same time, it remains secure and also ensures that data privacy and compliance requirements are met.
How Is Cloud Security Overwhelming Us?
Cloud growth creates new security threats, and organizations are struggling. According to Symantec’s first Cloud Security Threat Report (CSTR), which surveyed 1,250 security decision-makers worldwide, an overwhelming majority of respondents (93 percent) confirm they are having trouble keeping tabs on all cloud workloads.
While over a third (34 percent) said expanding cloud infrastructure has made it more complex and difficult to manage their environments effectively.
Unfortunately, there is more troubling news:
Eighty-three percent of global CSTR respondents report a negative impact due to lack of visibility in the cloud and nearly three-quarters (73 percent) say their organizations have experienced a cloud-based security incident due to immature security practices.
Over half (54 percent) say cloud security maturity is not keeping pace with the rapid expansion of new cloud apps, and 71 percent report an increase in IoT devices connected to Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), at a pace of around 20 percent growth just this last year. The deluge of new connected devices only serves to broaden an already expansive attack surface.
Increases in Shadow Data and oversharing of corporate files
At the same time, the increased use of cloud apps to access and share private information is leading to increases in Shadow Data and oversharing of corporate files. Another indication of immature cloud security practices and inadequate protections is that 68 percent of responding firms report having “direct or likely evidence” that their data has been offered up for sale on the dark web.
The fact that companies have not the time or the bandwidth to keep up with the sheer volume and variety of on-going incidents is the root of the problem. Fewer than half (43 percent) of CSTR respondents report they analyzed all incidents encountered over the last year.
Almost half (49 percent) said their organization’s security team was far too overloaded to address the bulk of alerts they receive. Only one in 10 survey respondents say they can adequately analyze cloud traffic, while less than a third (27 percent) are confident all cloud security alerts are fully addressed by their security teams.
The primary culprit for the shortfall is a skill and security personnel shortage. CSTR respondents almost unanimously agreed that they need to enhance cloud skills (92 percent) and add staff (84 percent) in order to close the gap.
How Do You Elevate Your Computing Safety Measures?
Selecting the right solution for your business is imperative if you want to get the best from the cloud. By ensuring your organization is protected from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other threats. AI and machine learning can play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of security staff.
An integrated security platform that utilizes AI and machine learning reduce the burden on security teams. By automating the process of combing through telemetry data to find critical insights that will boost a security posture.
Risk Assessment of an Organization’s Security
Massive amounts of data like the 9 trillion rows of telemetry monitored daily by Symantec’s Global Intelligence Center. Whereas, they can be analyzed with AI to create context and relationships. This task would be impossible for a human analyst.
In addition, machine learning and AI can also be used to facilitate a risk assessment of an organization’s security posture. By deploying the technologies to parse through vast amounts of disparate data, organizations can identify their most prominent areas of risk and prioritize resources accordingly.
Use of Machine Learning and AI
Machine learning models learn from telemetry and combine different events that are seemingly unrelated. But, if combined together with enough context, it can identify a critical incident. Especially that would likely go unnoticed by an individual.
Using machine learning and AI, Symantec is able to identify dramatically more critical events. As part of its own security services than it could prior to the use of the technologies. However, there are a lot of moving parts in the cloud. And you don’t necessarily have a full picture of what’s going on.
To effectively harness AI and ML, you need massive amounts of unbiased data. The recommended way to get this is by working with a partner that has global telemetry monitoring.
And also, analytics of cloud security incidents. As well as a proven track record with AI and ML.
By doing so, you’ll have full confidence that the proverbial needle in the haystack won’t be missed. After all, less obvious connections will be made and bad actors will be stopped. Again, your company is properly safeguarded against potential risks.
Best Practices For Optimizing Cloud Security
Companies are migrating business functions to the cloud with increasing regularity. This means the security of consumer and operational data is paramount. Business leaders and IT professionals have a vested interest in implementing processes that keep online data secure. Due to the sheer quantity of data being stored in the cloud, this is not an easy task.
So, just how much data is being stored in the cloud? Forbes reported in 2018 that 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every day. This is due, in no small part, to the recent proliferation of smart devices and cloud applications. Cloud-based tools like these help connect disparate business systems end-to-end and drive cross-functional insights.
Because applications generate so much sensitive data, security protocols are crucial. Here are just a few tips businesses can implement to keep data secure in the cloud. I hope you’ll find the above-revised guide was useful especially on your next Business Plan. But, if you’ll have additional points or questions, please Contact Us.
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