Cloud Security

Main security risks include:

- Data breaches due to unauthorised access.
- Insider threats from employees or contractors.
- Insecure interfaces and APIs that could be exploited.
- Misconfigured cloud settings leading to vulnerabilities.
- Account hijacking through phishing or credential theft.
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs) targeting cloud environments.

Best practices for managing access include:

- Implementing the principle of least privilege, granting users only the access they need.
- Using role-based access control (RBAC) to manage permissions.
- Regularly reviewing and updating access controls.
- Enforcing strong password policies and using MFA.
- Monitoring and logging user activities to detect and respond to suspicious behaviour.
- Automating the provisioning and de-provisioning of access based on role changes.

In cloud security, the shared responsibility model divides security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer:
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- Cloud Provider: Responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure, including hardware, software, networking, and facilities.
- Customer: Responsible for securing their own data, managing user access, configuring security settings, and ensuring application security. This includes encrypting data, setting up firewalls, and implementing security policies.

To ensure compliance organisations must:

- Identify relevant regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS) that apply to your industry and data.
- Choose cloud providers that offer compliance certifications and support for these regulations.
- Implement data protection measures, such as encryption and access controls, to meet regulatory requirements.
- Conduct regular audits and assessments to verify compliance.
- Maintain thorough documentation of security policies, procedures, and compliance activities.
- Train employees on compliance requirements and best practices for data protection.