{blog}
Secure APIs for Better Cloud Security
A secure API is an important part of cloud security, but what exactly is it and how does it work with the rest of available security features? In this post, we will explore the basics of an API, how it can create security vulnerabilities and important best practices that will help you avoid problems. What is an API? Essentially, an Application Programming Interface (API) is a piece of software that serves as an intermediary that allows different applications to communicate. It has become an essential tool for web developers who want to share data and information. With API security, certain...
Understanding Encryption and Cloud Security
Today’s business models rely heavily on cloud technology in order to collaborate, innovate, and keep pace as business continues to rapidly evolve and advance. This can create vulnerabilities that malicious actors will try to exploit in order to access private information. That is why cloud security has to be at the forefront of any cloud computing strategy. Encryption is one of the fundamental elements of cloud security. It works by scrambling data so that even if a malicious party is able to access your cloud, they won’t be able to view the information. It relies on complex algorithms to...
What is a SSL Certificate?
With the right tools, it is possible to achieve cloud security that allows businesses to safely transmit and store sensitive data. Encryption is one of the basic tenets of cloud security and it is supported by SSL security certificates. Employing these security practices not only adds credibility and security, but it also contributes to SEO efforts that will help you generate more business. Keep reading to learn more about security certificates and how they work. History of Security Certificates Security certificates or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates were first introduced in 1994 as...
What is a Firewall and How Does it Work?
Firewalls have been a key part of network security for over 25 years. Essentially, a firewall is a device that examines both incoming and outgoing traffic and blocks certain traffic based on a set of predetermined rules. This helps to create a wall between incoming traffic, your internal network, and external sources, including the internet. It is one of the most fundamental ways businesses can block traffic from malicious actors and viruses and improve cloud security. Each company establishes their own rules for what traffic should be flagged as suspicious and blocked. The firewall works to...
Understanding Zero Trust Cloud Security
If security is your main concern and first priority when it comes to cloud technology then the Zero Trust model may be your best bet. This method avoids relying on a single technology to provide security. Instead, Zero Trust incorporates a variety of different best practices and technologies for a more comprehensive approach. Learn more about this model and how it can help protect your business. Defining Zero Trust Other security models operate on the principle of trust but verify. Zero Trust, on the other hand, takes the never trust and always verify approach. This model relies heavily on...
How to Create a Cloud Computing Security Plan
In this series, we will take a closer look at how to create a cloud security plan that will protect your cloud-based systems, infrastructure, and important data. A comprehensive and flexible security plan is key to protecting your clients’ information and complying with industry and governmental regulations. Security breaches can result in a loss of business along with fines. Fortunately, establishing a cloud security plan can be easier than you might think. The first step is to recognize potential threats. That is part one will take a closer look at cloud security risks. Common Cloud...
Steps to Developing a Cloud Security Plan
Every cloud security plan is going to look different based on your business and your industry. However, there are some general rules when it comes to best practices that will help provide guidance as your work towards establishing a flexible and scalable cloud security plan. In the third installment of our series, we will take a closer look at cloud security best practices and how you can use these to shape your security plan. 1. Partner with a Trusted Cloud Provider The very first step in establishing solid cloud security is to partner with a trusted and reputable cloud provider. As you...
What is a Cloud Access Security Broker
In part three of our series on how to create a cloud security plan, we took a closer look at cloud security best practices that can help any business across all industries. We briefly mentioned that using a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) as an advantageous option. Since many people aren’t aware of this technology and how it works, we thought it would be important to take a deeper dive into the details of CASB and how it can help your company create a comprehensive cloud security plan. What is CASB? Essentially, a CASB is a software that forms an additional layer of protection between...
How to Create a Cloud Security Plan?
In the first installment of our series, we took at common cloud security risks and what you can do to address both known and unknown threats. We also touched on the potential consequences of poor security practices. In part two of the series, we will take a deeper dive into why cloud security matters and how your business can be negatively impacted by failing to address these issues. The Current State of Cloud Security Cloud computing continues to expand to include more products, services and technology. At the same time, more businesses are adopting cloud computing in order to accelerate...
PCI and Cloud Compliance in the Modern Age
Today, many of us rely on the convenience of online shopping to quickly purchase items we couldn’t find in neighborhood stores or to simply avoid having to go to the store altogether. Online payments also make it possible to secure plane tickets, make hotel reservations, and even pay bills. However, the payment landscape that we know now developed over time. The real boom in online shopping can be traced back to the emergence of the internet. From then on, payment card data continued to be used more widely and transmitted on a global level. In response, individual card providers began their...
HIPAA and Cloud Compliance
Healthcare is one industry that is being revolutionized by cloud technology. In many ways, it is a data-driven field that relies on being able to gather, track, and share patient information in order to provide better care. The sensitive nature of personal medical information led to the creation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which is designed to continue to develop regulations that protect patient privacy and security. As more medical facilities move their services to the cloud, they need to not only be aware of HIPAA cloud compliance regulations but...
Infrastructure as Code Compliance
In the past, IT professionals would have to carefully manage on-premise servers. These sensitive machines would have to be kept in cool, dark places and only a couple of people would even know how to manage critical systems. All that has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Now, cloud providers are able to manage vital infrastructure from their own warehouses. There is no need for businesses to make physical changes or be in the server room, which has given rise to the DevOps field and allowed for a continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) pipeline for Infrastructure as...
Cloud Validation
If you have been exploring cloud technology and trying to decide which solutions could benefit your business, you have probably come across the term cloud validation. This is an important part of setting up your cloud network and safely deploying solutions that meet certain standards and requirements that can vary according to industry and each business. In this post, we will take a closer look at cloud validation, what it means, and why it matters when it comes to taking advantage of cloud technology. Definition of Cloud Validation Essentially, cloud validation is the process of checking to...
Cloud Security
In general, the term cloud security refers to ways that the applications, data, and infrastructures are protected in cloud computing. The exact nature of cloud security, which tools are used, what protections are prioritized and other basics will vary not only according to the needs of the end-user but also according to the type of cloud environment. These are all factors that we will take a closer look at in the following post so that you can gain a better understanding of cloud security and how it affects your business. The Main Goals of Cloud Security Ultimately, all cloud security is...
Cloud Compliance
Cloud technology has expanded business capabilities across all industries. However, taking full advantage of the cloud means paying attention to compliance issues that can vary according to your industry and other factors. Without a stringent cloud compliance system in place, you could be making both your business and your customers vulnerable to data breaches and other security-related problems. That is why it is important to have a general understanding of cloud compliance along with a deeper understanding of what it means to your business in particular. Essentially, cloud compliance means...
What is Cloud Validation and Why Does it Matter?
Many industries have their own standards when it comes to protecting data. From finance and healthcare to pharmaceuticals, every industry has created certain regulations that are designed to protect consumer data and comply with state and federal laws. When cloud computing was introduced, there was a lot of anxiety around whether this new platform would be able to offer the same security and allow businesses to meet compliance standards. Over time, new security tools and protocols have been introduced that have made cloud-based systems more secure and efficient than ever before. Many of...
Cloud Security Best Practices
Cloud technology continues to play a vital role in helping businesses grow and innovate. It also supports an increasingly global business world that relies on remote workers and collaborators in different locations. With the cloud, practically all barriers have been removed and companies can tap into new resources without worrying about geography or the limitations of file sharing. Everyone can enjoy access to important applications, documents, and other information. This has significantly accelerated the pace of innovation. At the same time, it has created an environment that requires new...
Why IaC is Becoming the New Standard
At first glance, the idea of converting manual functions to code may seem like a daunting task that is not worth the time investment. While change can be intimidating, there are some real benefits to infrastructure as code (IaC), which is why more DevOps teams are adopting the technology to support cloud-based systems. IaC is quickly becoming the new standard and businesses who are able to successfully adopt the technology are quickly transforming into elite performers who are able to develop and deploy software at a rate that simply can’t be achieved without IaC. Learn more about the...
Infrastructure as Code Validation
Infrastructure as code is a powerful tool that has developed in the wake of cloud computing technology. It allows businesses to manage cloud infrastructures and deploy new applications purely through code. There is no longer a need for manual configuration and you can continually update the infrastructure and applications by following the same process of development and deployment. IaC validation plays a key role in this process by allowing you to test against known issues and continue to monitor and test even during production. The Importance of IaC Validation IaC is really only an...
Cloud Security Testing
Cloud security testing is still a relatively new practice although it has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past few years. In the early days of cloud computing technology, security was still handled through traditional methods that tended to be time consuming and weren’t as responsive to a highly scalable environment. As a result, cloud security evolved in order to better support cloud based applications and keep pace with business. Today, cloud security testing is more effective and convenient than ever before. Keep reading to learn how cloud security testing has grown and what we can...