How do you choose cloud security standards?

1 Assess your needs

The first step is to assess your needs and goals for your cloud security. What are the types of data and applications you are storing and processing in the cloud? What are the legal and regulatory obligations you have to comply with? What are the threats and vulnerabilities you face in the cloud? How do you measure and monitor your cloud security performance? By answering these questions, you can identify the gaps and priorities for your cloud security standards.

2 Research available standards

The next step is to research the available standards and frameworks for cloud security. There are many sources of guidance and recommendations for cloud security, such as industry associations, standards organizations, government agencies, and cloud service providers. Some of the most widely used and recognized standards include ISO/IEC 27017, NIST SP 800-144, CSA CCM, and PCI DSS. You can compare and contrast these standards to see which ones suit your needs and goals.

3 Select relevant standards

The third step is to select the relevant standards for your cloud security. You may not need to follow every standard or every aspect of a standard, depending on your specific situation and context. You can choose the standards that address your most critical and urgent needs and goals, and that align with your cloud service provider's policies and capabilities. You can also combine and adapt different standards to create a customized solution for your cloud security.

4 Implement and verify standards

The final step is to implement and verify the standards you have chosen for your cloud security. You need to define and document the policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities for implementing the standards in your cloud environment. You also need to train and educate your staff and stakeholders on the standards and how to follow them. You need to use tools and methods to verify and validate that the standards are being followed and that they are effective and efficient.

Choosing cloud security standards is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process that requires continuous review and improvement. By following these steps, you can choose the cloud security standards that best fit your needs and goals, and that help you achieve a secure and compliant cloud environment.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?