Steps to Developing a Cloud Security Plan

Steps to Developing a Cloud Security Plan
Every cloud security plan is going to look different based on your business and your industry.
However, there are some general rules when it comes to best practices that will help provide
guidance as your work towards establishing a flexible and scalable cloud security plan. In the
third installment of our series, we will take a closer look at cloud security best practices and how
you can use these to shape your security plan.
1. Partner with a Trusted Cloud Pr ovider
The very first step in establishing solid cloud security is to partner with a trusted and reputable
cloud provider. As you shop around, look for providers who offer built-in security protocols that
will support your efforts to secure data and meet compliance standards. The right provider will
have earned a range of security compliance certifications that are publicly advertised for
maximum transparency. In addition, you want a provider who can offer a marketplace of partners
so that you can shop different solutions and integrate them into your deployment for a
customized security plan.
2. Understand Your Responsibilit ies
When you partner with a cloud provider, you are both responsible for certain aspects of security.
It is important that you understand which tasks fall to which party. You don’t want to assume
that the provider is taking care of a security protocol only to discover that it was your
responsibility. A reputable cloud provider will provide a transparent shared responsibility model
so that you have easy access to this information.
3. Train All Users
When it comes to cloud computing, the users can either be an asset or a liability. Well-trained
users will understand and implement security practices and avoid creating unnecessary
vulnerabilities. By making users aware of the dangers of poor security practices and training
them to spot abnormalities that could signal malware or phishing scams, you can turn them into a
powerful security tool. If you work in an industry with complex compliance standards, it may be
worth investing in having an employee complete industry-specific training and earn a
certification. This will provide valuable in-house oversight.
4. Create Secure Endpoints
Cloud technology has made it easier than ever for employees to work remotely and use mobile
devices to access the cloud. Oftentimes, they are using personal devices, which means they
won’t automatically have extra security that may come with company owned devices. In
addition, in most cases, they are using a web browser to access documents. All of these
endpoints must be secured. A reputable provider will offer protections that include: antivirus
tools, firewalls, mobile device security features and other detection tools that can be used to
identify any breaches.
5. Ensure Visibilit y of Your Cloud
Using resources on the cloud can create a fast-paced environment. This can be further
complicated by the fact that many companies use multiple cloud services. These factors can
affect visibility and make it difficult to avoid creating blindspots. You will want a solution that
allows for maximum visibility so that you can identify risks and maintain a clear vision of the
entire system.
6. Create a Password Policy
One of the easiest things you can do to support cloud security is to create a company-wide
password policy. For example, require that users change their password every 90 days and
prevent simple passwords by either generating unique passwords or requiring that they are 14
characters long and include a symbol, number and one uppercase letter. Multi-factor
authentication can also help prevent unauthorized access. These types of policies can go a long
way in preventing attacks.
7. Encrypt All Your Data
Whether your data is being stored or in transit, it should always be encrypted. While a provider
may offer encryption services, keep in mind that going this route means that they will have
access to the encryption key. You can further increase security by using your own encryption
solution. Even if a malicious party is able to access your data, they won’t be able to do anything
with the information.
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