The cloud offers incredible flexibility and scalability for North Carolina businesses of all sizes. However, storing your data with a cloud provider can pose security challenges. Breaches such as the one that hit Columbus Regional Healthcare System in May 2023 can be devastating, so it’s crucial to choose a provider with robust security measures. But how do you, as someone who might not be a tech expert, assess a cloud provider’s security posture? This guide simplifies the process, outlining key areas for you to evaluate.
Before evaluation
Before diving into provider comparisons, you need to identify the type of data you plan to store in the cloud. Is it sensitive customer information, financial records, or intellectual property? The sensitivity of the data will determine the necessary level of security, which in turn will affect what providers you look at.
11 key areas for evaluating a cloud provider
The various qualifications of a cloud provider can be broken down into the following criteria:
Security certifications and standards
Reputable cloud providers adhere to recognized industry security standards and frameworks. Check for certifications such as ISO 27001 that prove their commitment to information security best practices. For specific data types, consider checking for additional certifications such as ISO 27017 for cloud security or ISO 27018 for personally identifiable information (PII).
Customer security measures
Investigate the security features offered directly to customers. Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a must-have. MFA provides a layer of security in addition to passwords, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult.
Data encryption
With encryption, your data is unreadable without a decryption key. Ensure the provider uses strong encryption standards for data at rest (data in storage) and in transit (data being transferred to different storage).
Access controls and identity management
A strong access control system dictates who can access your data and what they can do with it. Look for providers with granular controls that allow you to define user permissions and limit access to what employees need to perform their job.
Intrusion detection and prevention
The best defense is a good offense. Firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) continuously monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and block attacks before they happen.
Backup and disaster recovery
What happens if a natural disaster or cyberattack disrupts your cloud services? Always confirm that the provider has reliable backup and disaster recovery (DR) processes in place. These processes should allow you to restore your data and applications with minimal downtime quickly.
Service level agreements (SLAs)
An SLA is a legal document that enumerates the levels of services you can expect from the provider. Review the SLA carefully, paying close attention to uptime guarantees, data security commitments, and response protocols in case of security incidents.
Security audits and independent reviews
Prioritize providers that request regular security audits from reputable third-party organizations, providing objective assessments of the provider’s security quality.
Security history
No company is immune to breaches. However, a history of frequent breaches or slow response to incidents should raise red flags. Research the provider’s security track record and how they handle incidents. If possible, speak with the provider’s past and current clients.
Transparency and communication
A dependable cloud service provider will keep you informed about their security measures. They should readily provide detailed information on their security protocols and be open to answering your questions.
Beyond security
Security is paramount, but consider other factors, including scalability, pricing, customer support, and available features. Choose a provider that meets your overall business needs while prioritizing robust security.
After evaluation
Cloud security is constantly evolving. Don’t just perform one evaluation before you partner with a cloud provider. Regularly monitor your cloud provider’s security posture and stay updated on industry best practices to determine whether you should stay with a provider or move on to one that can meet your needs.
In addition, even if your current provider offers a secure platform, you still need to implement appropriate security measures within your organization to create an all-encompassing security strategy. Remember, when it comes to the cloud, security is a shared responsibility.
If you want to learn more about the cloud or need assistance managing your cloud, talk to us at Refresh Technologies. We offer cloud managed services to businesses in Charlotte and around North Carolina, including cloud consulting and managed cloud security. We’ll provide the IT support you need for your business to succeed. Contact us today to get started.