We are currently undergoing very important changes in the way we work. It is increasingly common for us to work with files located in the cloud. For example, we could talk about the typical case of a company that has headquarters in several cities or countries. One way of working could be to share files and projects in the cloud. However, we face dangers and challenges in this new way of working, so we need solutions to work safely in the cloud.
Businesses today are looking for the accessibility and flexibility that working in the cloud offers. However, the benefits that accrue may be little if we work insecurely. In that sense, a badly configured server can cause an information leak in that business, and ruin many future plans. In the end, if things are not done well, it can cause financial damage or loss of reputation that take years to solve. Security must be viewed as an investment, not an expense.
It should also be noted that there is no reason why cloud work cannot be done securely. If we are able to develop a strategy to minimize these risks, and we are able to meet security challenges, we will have a solid foundation on which to build. So, in this way, we get ahead before problems start and establish a sufficiently robust security.
Basic tips for working safely in the cloud
Cloud storage allows us to create backup copies of our devices and have them always available on the Internet. In addition, we can save all the images and videos of our mobile to free up internal storage. But there is still more, it also allows us to upload our files and projects to work with our colleagues.
That does not mean that we have to work safely in the cloud . The goal is that our files are not intercepted and end up in the hands of cybercriminals.
The first thing to do is always use strong and robust passwords . This is the first line of defense to protect our accounts and files from potential intruders. In that sense, from this article we recommend that this password:
- Have a minimum of 12 characters.
- Let’s use uppercase and lowercase letters, along with numbers and symbols like @,%, $ etc.
Also if it is available to use the Authentication in two steps , like for example the one of Google . In this case, even if they know your password, they would have to hack your mobile to get access to your account. In this article we have a complete tutorial to help you protect your Google account using this tool.
Also, a good policy is to encrypt the files we upload . In this way, we must make use of the tools that allow us to encrypt those files. Our goal in doing this is that no one can intercept that content and be able to read it. To finish with this section, another very important thing is to keep our software updated .
How to migrate to the cloud and dangers we face
Today, much of the work of companies runs in public, private or hybrid cloud environments. Often between the workers of the same company, they share files and sensitive material. In addition, information is also shared between several companies since they sometimes work together on the same project. But that’s not all, workers also in some circumstances carry out work from home.
Problems come when companies carelessly rush to migrate without making security one of their fundamentals. Critical assets can then be left unprotected and exposed to potential risks. A cybercriminal could access them and cause irreparable damage to that organization.
The best tactic we can employ is to migrate in stages, starting with the data that is critical to us . Early in the process, failures are usually more likely to occur. Therefore, it is convenient to start by migrating data that does not have harmful consequences for the company in case it is lost or deleted.
We also need to review the security practices of our cloud provider . We must not only rely on your reputation, we must also understand how our data is stored and protected. In addition, we must maintain operational continuity and data integrity . We must ensure periodically that the controls continue to work and that our data is safe. Another important point is that during and after migration we must manage risk . In this sense, an effective way to manage risk during the transition is to use attack and breach simulation software.
The duty to control identity and access management
If we want to maintain solid security, a priority objective is to effectively manage and define the roles, privileges and responsibilities of our network users .
As time goes by, workers come and go, and roles change. This is a great challenge, especially in the context of working in the cloud, where data can be accessed from anywhere. Fortunately, because technology has improved our ability to track activities, adjust roles, and enforce security policies, risk is minimized in a way.
However, no governance or management product can provide perfect protection. This is due to the fact that companies are inescapably subject to the human error factor. If we want to support intelligent identity and access management, it is best to have an active, layered approach to managing and mitigating security vulnerabilities.
In this sense, establishing measures such as practicing the principle of least privilege can be a good solution. Thus allowing only the minimum amount of access necessary to perform tasks will greatly improve security.
Vendor relationships and the problem of insecure APIs
The aim is to work safely in the cloud, but new and deeper relationships between companies and suppliers have been increasingly highlighted. Organizations seek to maximize efficiency through outsourcing and vendors take on more important roles in business operations. In this sense, it is important to guarantee security between the different companies so that there is no leakage of information.
Integrating third-party vendors often increases cybersecurity risk substantially. In a study conducted by the Ponemon institute in 2018 it was found that almost 60% of the companies surveyed had found a violation due to a third party. Because of this, it is up to today’s companies to actively and securely manage relationships with external providers in the cloud by implementing the necessary security measures.
APIs are the key to successful integration and interoperability in the cloud. On the other hand, insecure APIs are one of the biggest threats to cloud security . Thanks to them, hackers can exploit an open line of communication and steal valuable private data. In this sense, to avoid risks, APIs must be designed taking into account adequate authentication and access control. Also another important factor in this regard is having the software properly updated.
On the other hand, to work safely in the cloud it is important to distinguish between friends and enemies. In this regard, we must be able to distinguish between an authorized user and an unauthorized one . Knowing this is certainly a fundamental prerequisite for protecting our work in the cloud. Through behavior analysis and other tools we can achieve this.
Ultimately, security in the cloud is possible as long as the challenges posed by migration and day-to-day work are understood, anticipated, and addressed.
