Most organizations today use the cloud in some way whether it be for cloud storage or using cloud applications.
If your organization does not have proper cloud security, your cloud applications and storage may have security vulnerabilities that can lead to a cyberattack or data breach.
Cyberattacks can cause extended network downtime and cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair your network following an attack. In some cases, your network may have permanent damage after an attack.
Data breaches can cause sensitive data such as company contracts, customer, and patient information to be accessed by unauthorized users. This can lead to compliance issues and potential legal consequences as a result.
To avoid cyberattacks and data breaches, it is a good idea to understand what a cloud security policy is and whether it is an appropriate solution to help improve security in the cloud.
Coeo understands how important cloud security is and has delivered thousands of security solutions to organizations to help improve cloud security and avoid cyberattacks and data breaches.
By the end of this article, you will understand what a cloud security policy is, its key components, and whether it is an appropriate solution for your organization.
What is a cloud security policy?
Securing the cloud should be an important priority for organizations. Data stored in the cloud and cloud applications that are used daily by employees must be secured to avoid vulnerabilities that can lead to cyberattacks and data breaches.
A cloud security policy contains detailed guidelines to help organizations secure their cloud environment. It is also important that organizations develop the strategies of the cloud security policy to the needs of their network.
Creating a cloud security policy will enable your organization to personalize these strategies.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about cloud security or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
The key components of a cloud security policy
A cloud security policy can help every organization improve its security to avoid cyberattacks and data breaches. However, it is also important to understand the components of a cloud security policy. These components include:
Purpose of the policy
The first component of the cloud security policy is defining its purpose.
It is important to understand the purpose and why you are creating a cloud security policy whether it be protecting sensitive data in the cloud or mitigating risks within cloud applications so you can better identify the strategies that allow you to carry out your objectives.
Defining employee roles and responsibilities
Another key component for a successful cloud security policy is defining the roles and responsibilities of employees and other individuals involved in the organization.
Stakeholders including IT staff, business leaders, and all other employees must be involved in the cloud security process with specific roles and responsibilities that cater to their roles and departments.
Defining these roles will help employees better manage, implement, and enforce security measures.
Set up security access control policies
Identifying security access controls is another key component of a cloud security policy. Establishing access controls will enable your organization to restrict access to unauthorized users and allow authorized users to access it.
This can be set up for cloud applications as well as for data. Additionally, access can be restricted for users outside the organization but also for users within the organization by only allowing certain users internally to access the data.
There are two main ways to set up access control policies which include:
Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication requires a user to authenticate their device in two or more ways which can include SMS or phone call verification, PIN code, or email verification.
This enables your organization to confirm that the end user logging into the network is verified and proves who they say they are to prevent malicious actors from accessing the device or the network and compromising data.
Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-based Access Control (RBAC) manages user identities within your network and enforces access policies to ensure data access is given to individuals based on their role or position in the company.
For example, sensitive data stored in the cloud such as contract information and partner agreements may only be authorized to be accessed by people with a need for this information.
Is a cloud security policy an appropriate solution for your organization?
Now you understand what a cloud security policy is and the key components of a policy. However, it is also important to understand whether a cloud security policy is an appropriate solution for your organization.
If your organization relies on the cloud and has poor cloud security, implementing a cloud security policy may be an appropriate solution.
When employees do not understand cloud security and how to maintain it, a cloud security policy may be an appropriate solution to educate employees and help them be more security conscious to improve security within the cloud.
However, if your organization has reliable cloud security or does not rely on a cloud environment, a cloud security policy may not be necessary.
Determining whether a cloud security policy is appropriate for your organization
Now you understand what a cloud security policy is, its key components, and whether it is an appropriate solution for your organization. This will help you determine if a cloud security policy will help improve your cloud security.
If your organization relies on the cloud for applications and storing data but has poor cloud security, you could be a victim of a cyberattack or data breach.
No organization can afford to be a victim of a cyberattack or data breach that causes extended network downtime, costs your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair your network, and leads to sensitive data being compromised and corrupted.
A cloud security policy may help your organization avoid cyberattacks and data breaches in the cloud and the consequences that come with them.
Coeo understands how important reliable cloud security is to an organization and has delivered security solutions and services to organizations to help them improve cloud security.
We want you to understand what a cloud security policy is and its components so you can determine whether it is an appropriate solution to help your organization improve security in the cloud.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about cloud security or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
Now that you understand what a cloud security policy is, read this article to understand the best practices to improve your organization’s cloud security:
