4 key concerns for cloud platforms in high compliance sectors

Microsoft has predicted that cloud computing costs in Australia will rise by 83% between 2022 and 2026, from $12.2 billion to $22.4 billion. This increase represents the widespread adoption that has already occurred and will continue in industries nationwide, including high compliance sectors.

Cloud platforms have enabled high compliance organisations to manage increasing data and make it readily available for decision-making while offering cost-effective alternatives to legacy systems. However, the cloud is not without challenges. Here are four key cloud concerns we often see in the high compliance sectors.

Strengthening cyber security

Cloud platforms used by Australian high compliance organisations must address unique security challenges due to the highly classified information handled and stored on these platforms. The cloud must also enable integration between various systems without compromising data integrity and confidentiality or creating security vulnerabilities.

Cyber security standards, particularly compliance with IRAP, are mandatory for Australian high compliance organisations. This compliance extends to cloud platforms, ensuring they meet rigorous security and risk management standards. Part of the challenge here comes in breaking down data silos for operational efficiency while upholding these security standards to balance accessibility with the high-security demands of the high compliance sectors.

Protecting information with data sovereignty

Data sovereignty means that data is protected under the laws of the country in which it is located or stored. This principle is particularly important in contexts involving sensitive or personal data, as different countries have varying legal frameworks governing data privacy, protection, and accessibility. This concern is particularly relevant, with 91% of Australians expressing concern about organisations sending their data overseas.

Data sovereignty becomes especially relevant in Australian high compliance sectors, where information about classified or sensitive operations and intelligence is stored and processed. Keeping this information in data centres on Australian soil prevents it from foreign jurisdictional interference, which could enable foreign parties to access confidential data.

Domestically storing data allows for greater control and compliance with Australian data protection and privacy laws. It means that Australian high compliance organisations can prevent data from becoming subject to foreign laws and that people accessing the data do so in line with Australia’s policies.

Breaking down data silos

Data silos in high compliance sectors impede information sharing, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of cohesive strategy and operations. This isolation is particularly problematic in the Defence sector, where immediately available and accurate information supports decision-making and responses to changing situations.

To get the most out of cloud platforms, Defence organisations must break down silos and consolidate IT resources into one place. Achieving this integration in the cloud means all data becomes accessible to relevant parties when and where needed.

Legacy systems in Defence organisations slow cloud adoption because they often have similar data sets stored in different locations and are difficult to make compatible with today's cloud solutions. Cloud platforms themselves can also become silos if the organisation has not integrated them properly. Overcoming legacy systems is essential for Defence organisations to ensure a consistent, integrated data flow that supports operational excellence and strategic agility.

Flexible and scalable IT environments

High compliance organisations have the challenge of scaling quickly to meet the needs of their opposition. Without the tools to improve their response time, they risk falling behind. As we said earlier, they need the right data delivered at the right time to make strategic decisions.?

Cloud services enable high compliance organisations to achieve flexibility and scalability. This adaptability reduces the need for extensive hardware investments, enabling real-time changes in computing power, storage, and network capacity, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure.

Cloud-based solutions provide a responsive IT environment crucial for high compliance sectors. They enable quick deployment of new applications, adaptation to operational changes, and efficient data volume management. This agility ensures that high compliance organisations maintain operational readiness and effectively respond to emerging challenges.

Conclusion

Australian high compliance organisations must meet high data protection standards without compromising on adaptability. As such, cloud environments must meet security measures such as IRAP. These regulations ensure that organisations maintain data integrity and confidentiality. Data sovereignty is another key concern, as Australian data must not fall under other countries' legal jurisdictions.

More high compliance organisations have adopted the cloud to enable seamless data sharing and scale their operations. However, legacy systems can create barriers to these needs. The chosen cloud platforms must enable scalability and data integration without sacrificing security.

SecD3v addresses these concerns for high compliance sectors

If you're navigating the complexities of cloud computing in high compliance sectors, consider SecD3v as the solution to bolster your existing cloud environment. We designed SecD3v to provide cloud-based customers with secure, efficient, and cost-effective DevSecOps services. We use a cloud-agnostic approach and can connect to anything using a VPN to meet the diverse needs of high compliance organisations.?

SecD3v meets security and compliance requirements with IRAP assessment up to PROTECTED cyber security controls. For high compliance organisations looking to streamline their cloud operations and meet the highest standards of data security and sovereignty, SecD3v offers a tailored, efficient solution. Visit our website for more information on how SecD3v enables high compliance sectors.