A PwC survey found that 78% of business leaders have implemented cloud solutions across most or all areas of their organizations. Businesses—whether small or large—are expanding their digital presence without having to worry about server accessibility, data storage, or related infrastructure. They can scale up and down at their convenience.
Since many organizations rely heavily on cloud computing, cloud resources are now the most vulnerable to cyberattacks. That’s why it’s critical to stay one step ahead when it comes to safeguarding sensitive data and systems.
Here, we’ll discuss the importance of cloud infrastructure security and what you can do to keep your data secure.
The Importance of a Secure Cloud Infrastructure
Cybercriminals are growing increasingly tech-savvy. On top of that, technologies like artificial intelligence are emerging. This is contributing to the rise of new and unique cyber threats.
The cloud has become an attractive target for these attackers due to its flexibility and accessibility. A single breach can expose sensitive data as well as customer information. In 2024, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million. Beyond monetary loss, companies risk reputational damage and operational downtime.
As remote work and global collaboration rise, so does the risk of unauthorized access or accidental data leaks. That is because more people are accessing systems from various locations and devices.
Without robust security measures, the vulnerabilities of cloud infrastructure can leave businesses exposed to crippling cyberattacks and non-compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, which all require strong data protection and security practices. Case in point: compliance with regulations is the leading cloud storage security challenge related to unstructured data, according to 46% of respondents of a Box-sponsored IDC study.
By implementing strong cloud infrastructure security, businesses:
- Mitigate cyber threats
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Maintain customer trust
Building a Strong Cloud Security Foundation: 3 Best Practices
Follow these cloud security best practices to protect your infrastructure in this evolving threat landscape:
1. Secure Access to the Cloud
One of the biggest threats to cloud security is unauthorized access. In a large-scale cloud infrastructure where various users, devices, and applications can access resources, failing to track who has access to what can quickly become a significant problem.
If access management isn’t properly implemented and someone gains more access than needed, it can lead to unauthorized entries.
To prevent unauthorized access and credential theft, you should:
- Strengthen password management practices within your organization. Add password policies to your cybersecurity program. Outline your employees’ expected cybersecurity habits, such as using unique, complex passwords for each account to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). It adds an extra layer of protection, requiring users to verify their identity using multiple methods, like a one-time code or password.
2. Manage User Access Privileges
Not everyone needs full access to everything. You can reduce the risk of data breaches by limiting what users can see and do. In other words, set data access permissions carefully and update them frequently following the principle of least privilege.
According to this principle, each user, program, or process should only have the minimum privileges required to carry out its specific task or function. That is to say, a user account created to pull records from a database does not need admin rights, while a programmer doesn’t require access to financial records. In this case, cybercriminals will have limited access to sensitive data even if a user’s cloud account is compromised.
3. Monitor Employees’ Activity
In 2024, 83% of enterprises reported insider threats. Whether intentional or not, insider threats can pose serious risks.
Keeping an eye on employees’ activity in your cloud environment isn’t about mistrust but staying proactive. Monitoring your employees’ activity during work hours can help you detect early signs of insider threats or cloud account compromise.
Tools that track logins, file access, and configuration changes help you spot unusual behavior quickly. Suppose someone logged into your cloud infrastructure during non-working hours or from an unusual IP address. This indicates the possibility of a breach, and you will be able to react to such abnormal activity in a timely manner.
Audit access logs regularly to identify patterns and anomalies. This will not only help catch potential threats but also provide a clear trail in case of an incident.
Keeping Your Cloud Infrastructure Secure with the Right Technology
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to cloud security. The key is to stay proactive and adapt as the threat landscape evolves.
Partner with reliable cloud providers, keep up with the latest security trends, and be alert for emerging threats. The threats are becoming sophisticated, but the right strategies and tools can help you keep your data and system safe. So, take action today.
