10 Effective Ways to Ensure Cloud Security and Prevent Data Breaches

In today's world where malicious attacks and data breaches have become a daily thing, it is very important for organizations and businesses to take preventive cloud security measures. In this article, we will discuss 10 effective ways by which you can ensure cloud security and avoid data breaches.

Cloud Activity Monitoring:

To ensure cloud security, it is essential to monitor cloud activity and control access to data on a regular basis. Set up a robust authentication and authorization system to ensure that only people having authorization can access sensitive information stored in the cloud. Regular monitoring helps in detecting malicious activity immediately. Keep an eye out for unusual login attempts or logins from unexpected locations.

Use Strong Password:

While maintaining data security, it is necessary to implement a strong password. Create passwords as complex as you can as the more complex the password is the more resistant it will be to hacking attempts. You can choose a password consisting of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Make sure that the number you choose is not your birth date. Remember weak and easily guessable passwords are open invitations to people with malicious intentions.

Multi-factor Authentication:

Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) is a robust security measure that enhances the protection of data. Compared to two-factor authentication it is considered more powerful as it requires users to provide multiple forms of verification before grating access. Multi Factor Authentication provides an extra layer of protection and mitigates the risk of identity theft.

Implementing NGFW:

Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) serves as an antidote in cloud security and data breaches. In modern network security, Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) offers many features that defend against evolving cyber threats. Geolocation-based filters protect our data by allowing NGFWs to restrict or permit network traffic based on the geographical origin or destination. Furthermore, NGFWs often serve as reverse proxies and web gateways which give them the ability to inspect web traffic, filter content, and protect against web-borne threats.

Use Private Cloud:

Private clouds provide next-level security and control. They are well-suited for organizations and businesses that deal with highly sensitive data. Private clouds are customizable that can be tailored according to users' specific needs.

Data backup:

Data breaches can still occur after taking security measures. Moreover, hardware malfunctions, software errors can also lead to loss of data. Having a back-up plan ensures that critical data can be retrieved. Cloud backup provides the convenience of offsite storage accessible over the internet. Local backup, on the other hand, offers quick access to data and is often used for frequent backups.

Penetration Testing:

Penetration testing is a controlled and systematic approach towards security. It simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities. Security professionals conduct pen tests to identify weaknesses in a system's defenses and provide organizations with critical insights into potential security risks. By conducting these tests, organizations can take preemptive actions to strengthen their security measures and prevent malicious attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities.

Identity and Access Management:

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is considered a pillar of cloud security. It empowers organizations to control access and permissions to their digital resources. IAM ensures that only approved users and cloud tools have access to data and systems. By setting up permissions and user roles, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and security incidents.

Cloud Security Training:

To ensure cloud security, beside other preventive measures, it is also important to train employees to resist cyber threats. A comprehensive cloud-security training provides employees a deep insight into usage of cloud tools, secure internet protocols etc. It helps them to recognize and defend against common online attacks like spamming and phishing.

Access for Ex-Employees:

As much as training an onboarding employee about cloud security is important, it is also necessary to implement a well designed off-boarding process that ensures that access to applications and data to former employees are promptly revoked. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access after their departure.