Cloud computing opens up a world of opportunity to businesses of all sizes. The technology and programs within the cloud continue to promise better resources for starting and growing a business. When it comes to ecommerce and customer data, the risks that come with managing this sensitive information are substantial. That said, it’s important to know what cybersecurity risks come with the cloud.
To preface this, here’s an important point to consider: the risks associated with cloud computing should not keep ecommerce stores from using the cloud. In fact, these risks are not red flags so much as important considerations to make before entering the world of cloud computing. When knowledgeable about the risks associated with security devops, you can securely harness all of the possibilities offered by the cloud. From brand reputation to corporate account fraud, you can’t eliminate these threats but knowing about them and how to handle a mishap is half the battle. Here are some of the key things to keep in mind when utilizing cloud computing.
Data Privacy and Cloud Computing
The number one concern users have when it comes to cloud computing is the issue of data privacy. When it comes to the cloud, the perks of increased accessibility, mobility, and fast speed connections to servers and storage are obvious benefits.
That said, all of the tools utilized in the cloud are going to be storing some sensitive data. Things like bank information, employee data, and other things you’d like to keep out of the hands of cybercriminals are going to be out there for the taking if not properly protected.
Here’s the good news: the cloud itself is growing more secure every year. Users worry about how safe the cloud is but there’s always a risk associated with digital data that someone can take it or access it when not permitted.
Even if you enable the built-in security features of a cloud provider, there are additional steps you can take to bolster security. Infrastructure as code is a great example, which allows you to increase your visibility into the cloud and ensure no errors or issues are leaving you vulnerable.
Customer and Client Data
Many businesses aren’t just storing their info in the cloud. Customer and client data is just as important to running a business and the cloud offers many solutions for managing and organizing this data more effectively. In fact, customer relationship management software is one of the fastest-growing components of the marketing industry.
Whether you’re using CRM or not matters less than this crucial truth: your customer or client data is just as vulnerable to data leaks as your company info can be. In fact, storing things in a third-party app can increase the risk of a data leak when your cloud environment is not optimized to work with outside platforms.
Luckily, approaching security with a codified strategy helps eliminate these concerns in a big way. By enlisting the help of devops security, you add additional layers of security to the cloud to protect yourselves and customers. These added tools can also help you stay up to date with guidelines in terms of requirements for using the cloud in various industries.
Lacking Control Over Cloud Security
Let’s be sure we talk about one more crucial aspect of cloud security considerations. For any sized business, cloud security is going to involve a fair amount of keeping up with the latest updates to your cloud software and programs. With these updates come many new changes that are tough to keep up with, especially for small businesses. With every new update and program you add to your repertoire, you’re expanding the cloud’s capabilities but also opening yourself up to less control over managing security risks.
When it comes to keeping an eye on these numerous levels of security, two things can be wildly helpful in keeping you secure. Firstly, automated scans for cloud security risks and misconfigurations can be a huge help. In particular, businesses without a dedicated IT team can use automated scans to watch over things they don’t have time to do with their limited human capital.
In that same vein, it’s very important for businesses to consider your response should you find an error in the cloud. When this occurs, either an internal team or hired IT personnel will need to make the fix fast if you wish to avoid any major breaches or leaks. When it comes to speedy identification of cloud risks and their solutions, infrastructure as code is the best way to manage these concerns.
From increasing your visibility into cloud security to controlling for company and customer data risks, infrastructure as code is a solution everyone should consider adding to their approach to cloud security. Doing so can be the most impactful change you make to your business outside of beginning to work within the cloud itself.
This post has been contributed by bridgecrew.io