What is Cloud Security? Security Challenges and Solutions for Businesses in the Cloud Environment

With the spread of cloud computing, more and more companies are facing security risks in the cloud environment. What measures are needed to maximize the benefits of the cloud while protecting important data and systems from risks such as data leaks and cyber attacks?

What is Cloud Security?
1. Basics of Cloud Computing
2. Differences Between Cloud and On-Premise
3. Cloud Security Concepts
Risks in the Cloud Environment
1. Potential for Data Leaks
2. Cyber Attack Threats
3. Access Control
4. Compliance
Cloud Security Approach
1. Data and Communication Encryption
2. Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
3. Employee Training and Security Awareness
Summary

1. What is Cloud Security?

Security in the cloud environment refers to protecting the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of data and operations from risks associated with using cloud services.

To maximize the benefits of the cloud, it is important to understand the risks and take appropriate measures.

1-1. Basics of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a mechanism that allows you to use computing resources (storage, CPU, memory, network, applications, etc.) aggregated in data centers, etc. via the Internet as a service as needed.

Traditionally, companies owned and managed all resources themselves, but in the cloud, cloud providers manage resources. User companies pay a usage fee only for the amount they use and use the resources via the Internet.

For user companies, IT costs can be reduced because they can flexibly procure the necessary resources and avoid excessive investment. There are also benefits to being able to quickly scale computing resources up and down to suit your business.

Furthermore, cloud providers are responsible for security measures and system operation and maintenance, which greatly reduces the operational burden on user companies.

1-2. Differences Between Cloud and On-Premise

The term on-premise is often used in contrast to the cloud.

The major difference between cloud computing and on-premise systems is the location of ownership and management responsibility for computing resources.

In on-premise, companies own all of their IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and networks, and are responsible for managing and operating it. It is a mechanism specialized for the company, and because everything is managed internally, it is suitable for cases where security and compliance requirements are strict.

On the other hand, in the cloud, cloud providers own and manage resources, so companies only need to pay for the use of resources, which is a merit that significantly reduces IT infrastructure management and operation costs.

However, in the cloud, data and business systems are entrusted to cloud providers, so the scope of responsibility for security management is distributed. Therefore, when using the cloud, it is necessary for both cloud providers and user companies to take appropriate security measures.

1-3. Cloud Security Concepts

In cloud computing, a company’s data and systems are placed under the management of a cloud provider, so responsibility for security management is divided between the provider and the user company.

In general, cloud providers are responsible for the security of the cloud infrastructure itself (hardware, network, OS, etc.), and user companies are responsible for security measures for data, applications, accounts, etc. In other words, security in the cloud environment needs to be achieved through cooperation between cloud providers and user companies.

Cloud security refers to efforts to ensure the confidentiality (data secrecy), availability (business continuity), and integrity (data tampering prevention) of corporate data and systems in such a cloud-specific environment.

Specifically, measures need to be taken from the following three aspects.

Ensuring Confidentiality: Measures such as access control and encryption to prevent data leaks and privacy breaches
Ensuring Availability: Measures to maintain service availability against cyber attacks and natural disasters
Ensuring Integrity: Measures such as backups and authentication to protect data integrity from unauthorized tampering

In order to achieve cloud security, in addition to technical measures, it is also important to improve employee security awareness and institutional efforts such as contracts/SLAs.

In order to maximize the benefits of cloud utilization, it is essential to correctly understand the security risks specific to the cloud and take measures under appropriate division of roles.

2. Risks in the Cloud Environment

There are various security risks associated with using cloud services.

Here, let’s check the risks such as data leaks, cyber attacks, access control issues, and compliance violations.

2-1. Potential for Data Leaks

In the cloud environment, user companies’ data is placed in the cloud, so there is a risk of data leaks due to internal fraud or negligence by cloud providers.

If confidential data is passed to a third party, it can cause significant damage to the company. As a result, approximately 300,000 pieces of personal information, including LINE user service usage history, were leaked.

In addition, there is a risk of security vulnerabilities in multi-tenant environments that use virtualization technology, so careful attention is required.

2-2. Cyber Attack Threats

Since the cloud is an environment connected to the Internet, it is exposed to the threats of various cyber attacks such as targeted attacks, malware, and DDoS attacks.

If exploited by an attacker, serious damage such as data theft, tampering, and service suspension may occur.

If sufficient security measures are not taken, even cloud services that are expected to have high availability may be seriously affected by cyber attacks.

2-3. Access Control

Proper management of access rights to cloud services is also important.

Since cloud providers are not limited to those based in Japan, compliance with laws and regulations and guidelines in each country and region is required. It is necessary to fully understand the cloud provider’s response status and confirm whether it meets the appropriate requirements.

If the requirements are not met, the company must take additional measures.

3. Cloud Security Approach

In order to properly address the risks in the cloud environment, a two-pronged approach of technical and human measures is essential.

It is necessary to combine various measures such as data encryption, enhanced access control, and employee training to implement multi-layered security measures.

3-1. Data and Communication Encryption

Encryption is an important measure to protect data stored in the cloud and communication data between the cloud.

By using powerful encryption tools to properly encrypt data, you don’t have to worry about the contents being read even if the data is leaked. Encryption is essential to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data.

Technologies such as SSL and VPN connections are used to encrypt communication routes. In particular, it is essential to ensure a secure communication route for communication with cloud services.

Furthermore, by encrypting data in advance before uploading it to the cloud, you can achieve end-to-end protection in addition to data encryption on the cloud side.

3-2. Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication

When accessing cloud services, it is necessary to combine strong password authentication with multi-factor authentication to achieve more reliable identity verification.

Passwords should be strong with sufficient length and complexity, and thorough management is also important. Multi-factor authentication uses different types of authentication factors in combination with passwords, such as one-time passwords, biometric authentication, and authentication apps.

This greatly improves security because it prevents unauthorized access even if one authentication factor is leaked.

3-3. Employee Training and Security Awareness

To strengthen security, it is important not only to implement technical measures, but also to improve the security awareness of each employee.

It is necessary to conduct regular training for employees to raise awareness of the importance of password management, how to deal with targeted attacks, and how to handle confidential data. It is also essential to thoroughly disseminate security policies and guidelines in order to prevent accidents caused by human error or negligence.

Furthermore, establishing a reporting system in the event of an incident and building a cooperation system with related departments are also important measures.

In this way, cloud security measures need to be considered from both technical and human aspects. By combining appropriate measures according to the risk, you can create a secure environment that maximizes the benefits of the cloud.

Summary

Cloud computing has benefits for companies such as cost reduction, but it is also important to be aware of security risks.

It is essential to take appropriate security measures such as data encryption, enhanced access management, and employee training to address risks such as data leaks, cyber attacks, access control management, and compliance in the cloud.

When using the cloud, it is necessary to fully understand the security risks and consider measures according to the risks.

For further assistance, please contact us at globalsupport@jiran.com.