The freedom to work in any location is one of cloud computing’s most loved benefits, but this flexibility can also put companies — whether they be in Chicago or Tampa — at risk. If networks and devices are unsecured or if access restrictions are nonexistent, hackers can gain unfettered access to your cloud environment and steal all your data. 

In fact, ever since the massive shift to remote work in 2020, businesses have been deeply anxious about maintaining the security of their cloud environments. That’s why developing a strong cloud security policy is so crucial today. 

What is a cloud security policy? 

A cloud security policy is a formal guideline that outlines the security strategies and practices necessary to keep cloud assets safe. While policies vary between businesses, it usually specifies how companies can mitigate risks, stay compliant, and respond to threats. 

If you find the prospect of writing a cloud security policy overwhelming, we’ve compiled some useful tips to get you started.   

1. Consider relevant data compliance regulations

Different security and data privacy compliance regulations will affect your company, depending on your industry, location, and business function. Here are some of the most widely recognized compliance standards: 

These compliance standards will guide how your data and processes within the cloud should be secured. For instance, if your company is governed by PCI DSS, you’ll need to account for specific data storage and retention policies, access restriction guidelines, and network security recommendations. 

Partnering with an experienced cloud provider that’s certified in the regulations your company is subject to can help you ensure compliance. However, you also need to understand where your data will be stored, what data the provider has access to, and the level of support they’re willing to provide.  

2. Review the cloud vendor’s security controls

Different cloud providers offer varying levels of security, so partnering with one that has subpar defenses will put your data at even greater risk. To minimize your exposure to breaches, you must thoroughly evaluate your cloud provider’s cybersecurity measures and practices.  

The best way to approach this is to request for service level agreements (SLAs) and security audits from prospective cloud providers. At the very least, ideal SLA contracts should guarantee advanced threat protection, 99.9% service uptime, routine data backups, and 24/7 network monitoring. If your company is governed by specific compliance regulations, you’ll also want the provider to have security measures tailored to your industry. 

3. Limit user access

Users must only have access to the cloud apps and data they need for their job. Implementing identity and access management (IAM) systems allows you to set access restrictions for cloud environments based on employee roles, devices, and locations. IAM systems also make it easy to revoke employee access privileges if they’re no longer with your organization or if they’re deemed a serious risk to your cloud ecosystem. 

Other essential security measures include limited login attempts, session time-outs, and multifactor authentication (MFA). Limited login attempts prevent outsiders from constantly guessing passwords to cloud accounts. Session time-outs log out users from their accounts after a certain period of inactivity to curb account hijacking in case company devices are stolen. Meanwhile, MFA requests for more than one login credential such as passwords, fingerprint scans, and temporary activation codes to ensure that no one but the authorized user has access to his/her cloud resources.  

4. Safeguard company data

Equally important to setting access restrictions is clearly documenting how you’ll protect the confidentiality and integrity of company data in the cloud. Firstly, you have to establish clear guidelines on handling sensitive data in the cloud. These guidelines should cover everything — from who’s allowed to modify sensitive records to data sharing protocols to accessing data in secure locations — so employees aren’t a cybersecurity liability. 

What’s more, you must make sure sensitive data is encrypted in storage and in transit. Trustworthy cloud providers typically apply some level of encryption when you store, access, and share cloud data. But if your company has specific data security requirements (i.e., 256-bit advanced encryption systems for financial records), you need to ask your provider if they can accommodate your needs. It’s also vital that your company encrypts data before it’s uploaded to the cloud. This way, even your cloud provider can’t view or tamper with your data.

5. Protect connections and endpoints

Compromised networks and devices allow cybercriminals to infiltrate your systems, so you need clear rules for securing these points of entry.

For starters, networks should be protected with the latest firewalls, advanced threat detection software, and constant security monitoring. Employees, especially the ones working from home, should also be taught to password-protect their routers and use company-approved virtual private networks (VPNs) when connecting to the cloud. VPNs obscure internet traffic using advanced encryption techniques so that hackers can’t read data being transmitted to and from cloud networks. 

Another important element in your security policy is to safeguard company devices. This is usually centered around installing the latest security patches, anti-malware software, and endpoint protection software to fend off malicious attacks and risky activity. 

6. Integrate security measures

Multiple security measures are required for protecting a cloud environment, but these solutions may create vulnerabilities if they don’t work cohesively. It’s therefore imperative that you integrate your security measures to ensure policies are consistent across the board. 

For example, integrating endpoint protection software with IAM systems gives you better control over who has access to cloud apps and data. More specifically, you can have endpoint protection software automatically inform your IAM system when vulnerabilities are detected on someone’s device. The IAM system then processes this information and denies access to cloud accounts unless they’ve updated their device and remediated the underlying security risks. 

7. Create a response strategy 

In case a data breach occurs, your company must know how to respond and recover as quickly as possible. Your cloud security policy should outline how to identify a breach (i.e., changed cloud passwords), assess the impact using diagnostic tools and cybersecurity consultants, and prioritize risks. 

The outline should then provide instructions on containing further damage to your systems and the protocol for reporting the incident to authorities and affected parties. It also helps to set up data backup and disaster recovery solutions to greatly improve your chances of coming out of a breach relatively unscathed. 

8. Conduct regular security audits 

To defend against modern threats, you must routinely audit your IT infrastructure. The aim of these audits is to uncover any vulnerabilities in your cloud environment that may have developed over time, such as unsafe data handling procedures, flawed access restrictions, and faulty system configurations. Moreover, audits are a good opportunity to check cloud operations and settings to see if certain updates in security solutions and policies are required. 

Ideally, you should conduct comprehensive audits every quarter or when there’s a major change in your company, like new devices and accounts. You should also delegate audits to impartial security experts so you get objective insights into the state of your cloud security.

Related reading: How to move your business to the cloud

 

Dynamic Solutions Group is a managed IT services provider that can help you with these processes. From reviewing compliance regulations to designing a strong cloud security framework, we have the team of experts to guide you through this complicated process. Call us now to get started!