How to ensure your cloud’s security with MBG

Cloud computing provides organizations with significant operational efficiencies as compared to traditional on-premise servers. However, the ease of data storage and reliance on the cloud also introduces new risks. Unlike a local network which is often defended through a perimeter security model and traditional firewalls, the cloud environment requires more advanced security measures that provide extra protection.

Cloud security refers to the measures and technologies employed to protect data, applications, and infrastructure associated with cloud computing from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of data. This includes ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data stored and processed in the cloud, as well as ensuring the secure access to and use of cloud services by authorized users. Effective cloud security requires a combination of security controls provided by the cloud service provider and those implemented by the customer.

A question that is commonly asked when it comes to Cloud computing is: Is the data safe and how do you keep it that way?

Let us try to answer this in two parts!

1. How safe is the data stored in the cloud?

The safety of data in the cloud depends on various factors such as the security measures employed by the cloud service provider, the security configuration of the cloud infrastructure, and the security practices of the users. When proper security measures are in place, data stored in the cloud can be as secure as data stored on-premise.

Cloud service providers typically employ a variety of security measures such as encryption, secure data storage and transmission, access control, and monitoring to protect data in the cloud. However, it is important for organizations to carefully evaluate the security offerings of different cloud service providers and implement additional security measures as needed to meet their specific security requirements.

Ultimately, the safety of data in the cloud also depends on the users’ security practices. This includes following best practices for secure password management, avoiding the use of weak or easily guessable passwords, and properly configuring security settings to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to data

The few most common types of cloud threats are:

• Misconfigurations
• Weak credentials and access management
• Access privileges
• Outdated software
• Insecure Interfaces and APIs

2. How to keep the cloud data safe?

Assessing and testing frequently to ensure all configurations and security patches are in place can keep organizations safe from potential cyber-attacks.

Here are some steps organizations can take to keep their data safe in the cloud:

1. Evaluate the security measures offered by the cloud service provider: Organizations should carefully evaluate the security measures offered and determine if they meet their specific security requirements.
2. Encrypt sensitive data: Encrypting sensitive data before storing it in the cloud can help protect it against unauthorized access.
3. Implement access control: Implementing strong access control measures, such as multi-factor authentication, can help prevent unauthorized access to data in the cloud.
4. Use secure networks: Ensure that data is transmitted over secure networks, such as VPNs, to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
5. Regularly monitor and audit: Regularly monitor and audit cloud infrastructure and data access to detect and respond to potential security threats.
6. Train employees: Provide regular training to employees on how to securely access and use cloud services to minimize the risk of security incidents.
7. Keep software and systems up to date: Regularly update software and systems, including the cloud infrastructure, to ensure that the latest security patches are installed and to minimize the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited.

By implementing these steps and following best practices for cloud security, organizations can help protect their data and minimize the risk of security incidents in the cloud.

How MBG can help?

By working with MBG, customers can get an independent and expert assessment of their cloud security and receive guidance on how to improve it. This can help customers ensure that their data and applications are protected and minimize the risk of security incidents in the cloud.

While carrying out the vulnerability assessment and penetration testing our expert team follows high-quality procedures and methodology based on international standards and industry best practices.

It is divided into three major steps, such as-

Information Gathering/Evaluation

Exploitation

Reporting

As the initial step of cloud vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, our expert team will work on gathering all the required information such as cloud security needs, policies and procedures, access management, existing cloud SLAs, risks, and potential vulnerability exposures.

Once the valid information is gathered, the team will work on finding the vulnerable points which can be exploited. Our experts will perform the simulated attacks imitating the possible attack scenarios to achieve effective results. Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing are followed by the preparation of detailed reports for corrective actions. This report lists all identified vulnerabilities and recommended countermeasures so that customers can fix the found issues.

At MBG we help our clients assess their cloud security in several ways, including:

• Cloud security assessment: Our experts comprehensively assess a customer's cloud environment to identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities. This can include reviewing security policies, configurations, and access controls, as well as conducting penetration testing to simulate a real-world attack.
• Compliance auditing: Our skilled auditors help customers ensure that their cloud environment meets regulatory and industry-specific compliance requirements.
• Threat analysis: We will help customers identify and analyze potential threats to their cloud environment, such as malware, phishing attacks, or unauthorized access.
• Cloud security training: We will provide training to customers on best practices for cloud security, including how to properly secure data and applications, configure security settings, and respond to security incidents.