By 2020, Cisco predicts that 93% of workloads will be hosted in the cloud. When you consider how many organizations are moving to the cloud every day, it’s easy to believe this. Unfortunately, migrations don’t always go according to plan. Data breaches are more likely because of relocation because of the increased risk of data loss and incorrect configuration.
You may be aware of the benefits of moving to the cloud, but you may not have a thorough understanding of cloud security. Don’t worry, I’m here to help. You’re not the only one who feels this way. Organizations are somewhat too severely concerned about cloud security, according to a new (ISC2)2 report.
The most important thing to remember about cloud security is that it is not more complicated than on-premises security.
On-premises solutions help North-South traffic, but they can’t always keep up with evolving threats. You can’t know what’s going on outside your network unless you know what’s happening on the inside.
Options of Cloud Migration
You must first decide on the type of cloud to which you want to move before you can begin planning for safe migration. You must also decide how you intend to move your data to the cloud.
There are three types of cloud environments to consider when weighing your options:
● Private: You or a third party owns and maintain resources. Resources are kept on-premises or off-site and are not shared with other cloud clients. Location affects connectivity.
● Public: A third-party cloud service provider owns and manages the resources. Customers share hardware, storage, and network devices, and all data is accessed via the Internet.
● Hybrid: Hybrid cloud computing refers to the usage of both public and private cloud resources in combination with one another.
How to create your security plan for maximum visibility and minimal vulnerabilities.
Designing for Security
When it comes to software development and migration, security is all too often neglected until the very end. Security teams often use 108-point solutions (on average) to control vulnerabilities to prevent data breaches or heavy compliance fines when developers deploy with security as an afterthought.
There are many benefits to adopting the DevSecOps or security-by-design strategy, which encourages collaboration between security and development teams to assure security from the time of migration through the time of expansion, rather than hindering innovation.
The benefits of DevSecOps are becoming clearer as the approach becomes more widely adopted. DevSecOps survey results show that 93% of security professionals believe that developers catch less than 25% of problems. As a result, the percentage of angry security personnel dropped from 5 percent to 45 percent in 2021 as teams continued to migrate left.
Cloud Security on a Large Scale
An important part of improving communication between security and development is selecting a cloud security solution that fits everyone’s needs. A security services platform is the most effective tool for accomplishing this.
Cloud workloads, containers, serverless apps, file storage, open-source risks, cloud networks, cloud posture, and cloud compliance all benefit from a well-designed platform that combines security services. Adding security checks and validation at the beginning of the infrastructure building process will help you move security to the left. Before or while developers migrate to the cloud, implementing security guardrails early in the pipeline helps them get up and running swiftly and securely.
The security-by-design method is better suited by using a platform because it gives you more options. Using a platform, you can pick between public, private, and virtual environments, as well as the cloud services and tools you need to fulfill your organization’s goals safely.
A Powerful and Versatile Approach
There are a variety of platform options available, but not all platforms are the same. SecOps and DevOps teams may use Trend Micro Cloud Onetime to address cloud vulnerabilities, making cloud security easier before, during, and after migration.
● Enhanced visibility: Centralized perspectives from distinct point products are no longer an option. Strengthen application development and productivity by identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities in open-source code.
● Tools that are friendly to developers: The most secure and compliant templates are utilized when deploying via infrastructure as code (IaC). Application Security, which detects and protects apps and APIs developed on your container, serverless, and other computing platforms, keeps development moving forward quickly.
● Automation on a large scale: Auto-remediation or automatic post-scan actions are just some of the benefits of using automation in any solution.
● Streamlined rules and regulations: As a result of scanning against hundreds of best practice and regulatory compliance checks from across various locations and industries, Conformity (cloud security posture management) eliminates compliance-related issues.
● Cloud Security: All your cloud security needs can be met by combining seven Trend Micro Cloud One services, such as Conformity (cloud security posture management), Workload and Container security, Network security, Application security, File Storage security, and our newest addition, Trend Micro Cloud One – Open-Source Security.
A Safe Migration: 5 Tips
To guarantee that your cloud and your data are safe during the move, here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
1. Recognize the Shared Response
As a result, cloud service providers work under a shared accountability paradigm. Make sure your migration is safe by figuring out which components of this model are under your purview.
If you use Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Software as a Service, you have different duties (SaaS). Here’s a breakdown of how this responsibility is distributed among the models:
Cloud Services Cloud user Cloud Provider
SaaS Endpoints, data Hardware, storage, network, virtualization, operating system, middleware, applications
PaaS Endpoints, data, applications Hardware, storage, network, virtualization, operating system, middleware
IaaS Endpoints, data, applications, operating system, middleware Hardware, storage, network, virtualization
It’s a good thing that most cloud service providers have resources and services to help you secure the parts of your cloud that you control. Using a cloud-native service gives you access to a higher level of security and knowledge than you would be able to obtain on your own.
2. Comply with Regulations
When moving your data to the cloud, you need to be aware of any applicable regulations. If you work in a highly regulated area like healthcare or commerce, this is critical. Storage, encryption, backup, and transfer are all considerations that must be considered.
HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are just a few of the standards that many service providers are certified to follow. Even if you have these qualifications, you may still need to delete personal information before you relocate.
You may be required by law to only keep data on-site. Even though cloud service providers can assist you in complying with regulations, you are ultimately responsible for any fines if you do not.
3. Streamline Your Observations
Cloud-connectivity might lead to an increase in the number and speed of attacks. These new dangers must be taken into consideration, and your current systems must be safeguarded.
You’ll have security tools running on-premises and in the cloud during and after your migration. Your security team’s job will be made a lot simpler by centralising the administration and use of these solutions. They will be able to more rapidly and consistently identify and respond to threats and vulnerabilities because of this.
Consider using a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to increase the efficiency of your security staff. Centralizing alarms and logging, as well as analytics, machine learning, and automation, is made possible by SIEMs. An effective mix of these properties makes it possible to automatically detect, respond to, and analyse threats.
4. Phased Migration
As your staff becomes more experienced with cloud platforms, your data’s security will be improved. It’s possible to safely free up storage space by beginning with low-priority data. Before uploading sensitive or high-priority data, you can run your configuration through a series of tests to ensure it is secure.
The onboarding of new users may take longer in a phased migration because there is less time constraint. As a result, you are less likely to leave storage buckets unlocked or provide unauthorised access.
5. Data Encryption
Your data must be encrypted both while it is on-premises and when it is being transferred to and from the cloud. Make sure to use secure transport protocols (such as HTTPS) while transferring data over the Internet.
You might also think about using a device provided by your service provider or a third party to transfer data. Then, before it leaves your facility, make sure the data is encrypted. Encrypting your storage device prior to transferring data is generally recommended.
Final Words
Your migration’s security will be influenced by the type of cloud you select, the provider you select, and the exact procedures you take to complete it. Prepare for migration with a focus on security. After you’ve made the switch, keep an eye on your systems to make sure your information is safe. Make use of the security resources and technologies at your disposal.
Providers’ best practises are based on their own experience and that of previous clients. Investing a little more time in security now will save you money, time, and effort in the long run
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