Cloud Security Responsibility
When enterprises think of possibilities of cloud migration, then security has to be the foremost issue that needs to be addressed. They first need to understand the data and the services that have to be shifted to the cloud and the type of cloud security cover it needs. There are risks associated with digitization, public networks, and outsourcing of the system and its infrastructure that have to be identified. With a lack of knowledge, enterprises try to apply the same tools and levels of security to the cloud as their internal resources. The organizations must remove the myth that cloud systems are insecure and proactively team up with their cloud service providers to share cloud security responsibility for adding that extra security layer to the data on the cloud.
Understanding the Objectives of Cloud Security Responsibility
When enterprises deal with IT security issues, then confidentiality, privacy, integrity, availability, authenticity, liability, and accountability form the basis of it. However, the same tools and techniques cannot be applied to the cloud system since they have different requirements
Identity and Access Management as a Part of Cloud Security Responsibility
Responsibility for any given cloud model rests both on the clients as well as the service providers. All the tasks are aptly shared, for example, the cloud provider is responsible for the Application Program Interface (API) security and auditing while access management has to be looked after by the enterprise. But identity management and privileged user management has to be a shared cloud security responsibility. The control level user can take up security measures for access management, identity management, and privileged identity management.
Data Protection is an Integral Part of Cloud Security Responsibility
The controlled data must have the basic security measures in place so that there is no unauthorized access to it. Some of the basic measures are:
- Data collection and classification
- Monitoring of data and file activities
- Data encryption and masking
- Secure data erasure or deletion
- Data Access Control
Application & Infrastructure Security
SaaS environment runs on shared responsibility. Here the cloud services provide the application to the user and the user in turn controls the data. Hence, it is utmost necessary that certain security measures have to be applied those of which are as following:
- Vulnerability testing and security
- Source code analysis and design security
- Deployment security
- Security against manipulation and threats at runtime
Cloud Security Responsibility for SaaS Models
The cloud provider has to develop and operate apps and deliver them to customers in SaaS model applications. High-level security for cloud services can be rendered through secure application development and operation which will include application code scanning, application security management, and vulnerability detection features. The security feature should encompass the following basic measures like:
- Endpoint security
- Physical security
- Network security
Cloud Security Responsibility is a Joint Effort
For proper cloud security management, it is crucial that roles are defined about who controls the various components of cloud infrastructure. At the end of the day, both the cloud service providers and the users need to keep the data safe on the cloud and hence it can be said that Cloud Security Responsibility is a coordinated team effort.
Cloud technology is indeed a boon for enterprises if they tackle the Cloud Security Responsibility wisely. If both the cloud service providers and the corporate entities jointly share the cloud security responsibilities, then the chances of data breaches are almost zero.