How to ensure and maintain cloud security

The cloud has become such a common IT tool that today it is difficult to find an industry (or even a company) that does not use it to some extent. The chances are very high that you yourself are using it frequently.

So, we will not waste your time with generic information explaining the benefits and challenges of the cloud. Instead, we'll get down to the nitty-gritty and discuss what’s really important — cloud data security.

First things first: What is cloud security?

Cloud data security could be explained as what organizations do to protect their cloud-based systems and applications — and the data they store in the cloud — against cyber threats.

You could also say that it is a set of strategies, procedures, and tools that, when properly applied, can help companies prevent unwanted data exposure or IT infrastructure damage caused by various internal or external factors.

Both explanations are correct. In fact, they complement each other and together provide more context — although they don't provide the whole picture.

Treating it more like a concept, we could say that cloud security is a complex and constantly evolving field in IT that requires attention from all organizations that have either fully or partially based their IT environment on the cloud. So, with that in mind, the question you may be asking yourself right now is…

Why is cloud security so important?

If we had to answer that in one sentence, it would probably be this: cloud security plays an essential role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data stored in the cloud. But that only scratches the surface. Allow us to elaborate a bit because there’s more to this than meets the eye.

Every year, more and more organizations embrace digital transformation, incorporating cloud-based tools and services into their IT ecosystems. So, it’s no wonder the cloud security market is thriving—Statista has predicted its revenue to hit an impressive USD $2.05 billion in 2024. On a global scale, the numbers are even bigger, with researchers like Fortune Business Insights estimating the cloud security market to be worth nearly USD $45 billion. But why is that?

For businesses of all sizes—whether small startups or major enterprises—keeping their digital assets secure in the cloud isn’t just important: it’s essential. Cloud security becomes a must the moment a company decides to move even a small part of its operations or data to the cloud. Without it, the company risks more than just data loss or business disruption—it exposes the company to potential financial and reputational damage. It’s crucial to understand, however, that storing digital assets in the cloud doesn’t make the company immune to cyberattacks—it simply shifts the focus to securing those assets more effectively.

Therefore, all organizations should make every effort to ensure their cloud cybersecurity remains at the highest level at all times—after all, the success of their business endeavors depends on it.

Main risks associated with cloud security

Security issues in cloud computing often revolve around the potential for unauthorized access — but not only that. Below, you will find descriptions of some of the biggest threats that today’s companies must be aware of while developing their cloud security strategy. Whether a company will be able to address and manage these threats depends not only on the actions they take but also on its awareness of the emerging trends and disruptive forces shaping its industry.

• Data breaches:

Whenever an organization starts storing sensitive information in the cloud, it instantly becomes a target for cybercriminals — and they will try to find their way in. A successful breach could result in the exposure of the company’s confidential data including its financial records, customers’ personal information, or even intellectual property.

In its “Cost of a data breach” report, IBM reveals that the global average cost of a data breach across all sectors in 2023 is almost $4.5 million — which is an amount that has increased by almost 15% over the last three years. This fact alone shows that companies cannot waste time, and they should introduce robust authentication mechanisms, encryption protocols, and access controls as soon as possible to protect themselves against this threat.

• Insider threats and privilege abuse:

Security is a top priority for most cloud providers, and their systems are typically built to deliver high-level protection. However, we, the cloud users, can easily undermine that protection through our mistakes. Human error remains one of the biggest risks to cloud security. Employees with access to sensitive company data may misuse their privileges, either accidentally or under pressure, which can compromise security. In many cases, this can lead to issues similar to those caused by data breaches.

Hackers are always on the lookout for weak spots, especially those caused by human error. That’s why it’s crucial for companies to create strong cybersecurity policies that outline proper cloud usage and set clear limits to prevent misuse. These policies should not only be easy for employees to follow but also help minimize the damage if an employee ends up causing a potential security threat.

• Insufficient compliance with legal requirements:

Cloud service providers often operate on a global scale, helping customers from different parts of the world where different sets of data protection laws and regulations apply. It’s no rocket science to point out that complying with these diverse legal requirements can be a challenge for both cloud providers and their customers.

Non-compliance with the standards may lead to serious financial or reputational losses. Thus, businesses must carefully navigate the regulatory landscape and choose cloud providers that meet the relevant criteria.

• Misconfiguration:

Many companies use multiple clouds from different vendors, each with its own default settings and technicalities. As a result, it can be challenging to ensure all clouds are configured correctly and that none of them could become an entry point for attackers. This is to say that if a company doesn’t integrate its clouds not just properly—but as close to perfectly as possible—it could create vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit, potentially leading to unauthorized access, stolen data, or disruption of critical business operations.

Best practices in cloud security

Before we discuss any cloud security best practices, we would like to point out that cloud security as a whole is a continuous process and, therefore, you should stay informed about the latest security trends and practices so that you can protect your cloud environment more effectively. In other words, do not think of the following examples as the only elements you should pay attention to when creating a cloud security strategy. Instead, treat them as a starting point.

1. Encrypt your data: One of the foundational pillars of cloud security is encryption, which is the process of using combinations of sophisticated algorithms to make sure that no unauthorized party can access your data — whether at rest or in transit. Some cloud service providers offer built-in encryption features, which you can leverage to keep your data secure at all times. If they are not available to you from the get-go, consider using third-party encryption tools to protect your sensitive information.

2. Implement and use identity and access management (IAM) tools: To manage user access and permissions effectively, you must implement a strong IAM strategy. For example, by following the principle of least privilege, you can ensure that only authorized users with specific roles can access your systems, applications, and data. In other words, you can use IAM tools to provide the right people with access to the right resources — and only them. This will help you protect sensitive information from being compromised.

3. Carry out audits regularly and monitor all cloud activities: You can stay ahead of potential security risks if you conduct frequent security audits. That way, you will be able to identify cybersecurity areas that require improvement and take necessary measures to address them before any security breach occurs. If you pay close attention to what's going on in your network, you'll be able to detect and respond to any anomalies or potential threats before they cause damage.

4. Find out what your provider does to ensure cloud security: When teaming up with a cloud service provider, you should take the time to understand their shared responsibility model and all the security features they offer. In other words, you should get familiar with your provider’s security practices and security to, first, double-check if their approach aligns with your organization's specific security requirements, and second, to ensure that your sensitive data and applications are adequately protected in the cloud environment.

5. Backup your data: You can enhance your organization's cybersecurity by consistently backing up your business data in a highly secure location and rigorously testing the recovery process. If you take this proactive approach, you will be able to, in the unfortunate event of a security breach or data loss, quickly and seamlessly restore crucial data and applications. Not to mention that it will help you minimize downtime, safeguard your reputation, and ensure business continuity.

How does NordLocker fit into the context of cloud security?

To adequately answer this question, we need to start with a brief explanation of what NordLocker is, namely an end-to-end encrypted cloud storage platform that allows you to securely store, manage, and share your business data with company members and partners.

Thanks to its wide range of features — from end-to-end encryption, through multi-factor authentication (MFA), to zero-knowledge architecture (and everything in between) — NordLocker covers all the cybersecurity practices we discussed in this article to help its users create a much safer online business environment. It can help you do that as well.

That’s why we encourage you to go to NordLocker and learn more about the platform and get a 14-day free trial. That way, you will be able to see for yourself if NordLocker is the right fit for your business and if what we’re saying is true.

Enjoy the ride!