The 6 cloud security best practices your business must follow

The cloud has become ubiquitous in UK business, with 78% of executives saying they use the cloud in most or all parts of their business, and the cloud market set to be worth $376.36 billion by 2029.

As the use of the cloud for mission-critical applications and data grows, so do security challenges, and the need for robust, resilient protection in the cloud.

Here, we take a look at the latest advancements in cloud security principles and best practice tips for building a robust cloud security architecture. We’ll also explain how an AWS Well-Architected Review can help you identify priorities for improving your security posture in the cloud (and earn you a $5000 AWS credit).

Advancements in cloud security

Zero Trust Architecture

‘Never trust, always verify’ is the principle behind the Zero Trust approach to cloud security. It works on the assumption of ‘guilty until proven innocent’, where every access request must prove itself bona fide through authentication and authorisation. Zero Trust enables strict access controls and real-time threat detection. It is implemented through tools such as AWS’ Identity and Access Management (IAM), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Security Hub.

AI and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) systems have ‘supercharged’ cloud security.? The sheer scale of potential threats means that many organisations are looking beyond what ‘traditional’ software can do, opening the door to the next generation of security management tools. Unlike the traditional approach of looking at historical attacks, AI and ML-based security tools ‘learn’ the individual profile of each organisation’s network – its traffic patterns, applications, hardware, browsing patterns, and user behaviour - and scan for anomalous activity that may well signify a threat. These services help automate security operations, reducing the time to detect and mitigate threats.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

With the massive expansion of remote and mobile users, organisations have to secure networks that reach way beyond those of the traditional enterprise. These organisations therefore need cloud security solutions that secure all their endpoints, regardless of location, to the same level as their on-premises infrastructure. SASE allows them to do this by combining network and security functions into a unified, cloud-native service giving remote and mobile users services such as Firewall, Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) wherever they are working.?

Cloud-Native Security Tools

With many of today’s cloud applications having been specifically developed as cloud-native (rather than traditional apps that have been ‘lifted and shifted’); they need appropriate cloud-native security tools. These are tools designed to protect applications that have been built using modern cloud architectures and which run in dynamic, scalable cloud environments. Cloud-native security is built into the application and infrastructure during development and is designed to protect against the unique threats of a cloud environment, typically incorporating IAM, container and workload security, and continuous monitoring and response.

Six best practices for building a robust cloud security architecture

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Effective IAM is critical for cloud security. Implementing principles such as least privilege, where users have the minimum access necessary, can significantly reduce the scope for attack. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), requiring users to provide two or more forms of verification, adds an additional layer of security protection.

2. Data Encryption

Data encryption is essential for protecting sensitive information both in transit and at rest. Organisations need strong encryption algorithms and must manage encryption keys securely. Cloud providers, such as AWS, offer key management services that simplify key generation, storage, and rotation.

3. Security Monitoring and Incident Response

Continuous monitoring of cloud environments is crucial for detecting and responding to security threats. Utilising Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can help analyse logs from various sources to identify potential security incidents. Organisations must create, review, test and update incident response plans to ensure they are effective in mitigating security breaches.

4. Compliance Automation

The number of legislative standards and regulations – whether general or industry specific – is growing, and many organisations now use automation to help them reduce the burden of managing compliance with legislation such as:

●??????? GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018?

●??????? The UK Space Industry Act 2018

●??????? National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidelines

●??????? Public Services Network (PSN) regulations?

●??????? Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

●??????? Payment Services Regulations 2017

●??????? Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)?

5. Network Security

Network security safeguards data integrity, confidentiality, and availability as it moves through cloud environments. So it’s a critical best practice in cloud security – and is implemented using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encrypted communication channels.?

6. Backup and Recovery

Implementing reliable backup and recovery solutions is crucial for data protection. If data is breached, having a secure, accessible and well-managed backup can get the organisation back up and running, and minimise the impact of an attack or other data loss. Backups can be automated for efficiency, and the recovery process must be reviewed and rehearsed for seamless operation in the case of having to use it ‘in anger’ in a disaster recovery scenario.

These best practices protect against cyber threats, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and maintain trust with users and stakeholders.

AWS Well-Architected Review

If you’re looking to step up your security in the cloud, the best starting point could be an AWS Well-Architected Review. In the Review, The Server Labs will assess your cloud implementation based on the AWS five pillars, which include security. We’ll make recommendations for improvements to give you the peace of mind that your cloud security is robust. As an additional incentive, if you take action on these recommendations within 30 days, AWS will give you a $5000 service credit.?