What is Cloud Computing Security and Why is it Important?

Cloud computing has become an integral part of our daily lives. To that extent, it’s no wonder that cloud adoption is more than 94% among businesses with 1,000 or more employees.

Despite that, a staggering 93% of enterprises have reported being concerned about cloud security solutions and their implications, according to a Coalfire study.

“Having a secure cloud environment isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity,” explains Chris Power, CEO of Power Consulting. “If you’re concerned about how secure your data and applications are in the cloud, now is the time to reevaluate your cloud security strategy.”

Before you can improve your strategies, ask yourself, “What is cloud security?” and “Just how secure is my data that is stored within the cloud?” To help you answer these and other important questions, we’ve prepared this informative article to address your cloud data security concerns.

What is Cloud Security: A Closer Look

If you’re wondering what is data security in cloud computing, we’ve got the answer right here. Cloud security is a branch of cybersecurity that specializes in securing cloud systems and anything associated with your cloud environments, such as online applications and platforms.

Cloud computing services require robust data security. This ensures that any critical data and applications stored or hosted within the cloud are never compromised or at risk of falling victim to unauthorized access or cyber-attacks.

Regardless of whether it occurs on your on-premises storage devices or in the cloud, a data breach can potentially set you back $4.45 million, a price that may be too much for small or medium-sized businesses to bear. You can avoid this hefty cost by improving your cloud security posture.

According to research from Cybersecurity Insiders, 84% of companies are at least moderately confident in their cloud security posture, in comparison to the 16% that lack confidence in this area.

Source: Help Net Security / Cybersecurity Insiders

Are Your Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 Environments Truly Secure?

The conveniences that cloud computing services like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide are undeniable. But have you ever paused to consider how secure they were? Let’s explore some of the security features of each platform.

Google Workspace

• Context-Aware Access
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
• Identity and endpoint management
• Encryption of data at rest and in transit
• Continuous monitoring and compliance
• Trust Rules and AI Classification for Google Drive
• Automatic defenses against email spam, phishing, and malware

Microsoft 365

• Windows Hello for Business
• Microsoft Defender Antivirus
• Identity and access management
• Microsoft Intune device management
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud / Cloud Apps
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all accounts
• Safe device and application access with Conditional Access policies

SonicWall Cloud App Security: Your Digital Guardian

SonicWall isn’t just another name in the world of cloud security solutions. It’s a beacon of hope against cloud security threats. Its key features include:

• Visibility: Identifies all of the sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud services your employees use.
• Next-Gen Email Security: With email’s evolution as the most prominent Software as a Service (SaaS) app, SonicWall protects it with attachment sandboxing, time-of-click URL analysis, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) protection.
• Advanced Threat Protection: Mitigates malware attacks through various apps with real-time antivirus scanning for known threats and Capture ATP Sandboxing for zero-day and other types of threats.
• Data Security: Ensures your data security policy is properly enforced with access controls and the prevention of uploading confidential and sensitive files.
• Compliance: Collects an extensive audit trail of live and historical events and includes simplified DLP templates for real-time regulatory compliance and policy control enforcement.

Azure Active Directory (AD): Crafting Secure Cloud Environments

Azure AD isn’t just about what is infrastructure security in cloud computing. It’s about creating a robust digital fortress for your cloud-based data and applications with these features:

• Single Sign-On (SSO)
• Conditional access and MFA
• A single identity control plan for complete visibility and control
• Proper governance that ensures the right people can only access the right resources when necessary

Backing Up: Your Cloud Security Safety Net

Believing that “if it’s in the cloud, it’s backed up” is a myth. Here’s how you can ensure the safety of your data through regular backups:

• Google Workspace and Microsoft 365: Use their native backup features.
• Third-Party Solutions: Sometimes, external cloud security challenges require external solutions.
• Best Practices: Schedule backups, test their integrity, and always have multiple copies. This is the essence of what is cloud workload security.

What is Data Security in Cloud Computing: A Quick Checklist

What is Cloud Security? Find Out With a Proven IT Partner

Navigating the world of cloud security can be daunting. From understanding what is cloud computing security to implementing robust security controls, the journey is intricate.

If the question of “what is cloud computing security?” persists, we have the answers you’ve been looking for. With the right knowledge and tools, you can create a secure haven for your data in the cloud while overcoming cloud security challenges.

As a leading IT provider, Power Consulting specializes in cloud security solutions, offering unparalleled support to ensure your cloud-based data and applications are never at risk. Whether you operate a public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud environment, we can help.

Ready to fortify your cloud against data breaches and cyber-attacks? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our experts.