Cloud Security Tips

While making use of cloud computing, security has to be the first thing in your mind to ensure that everything runs smoothly without too many complications. This usually offers a flexible and elastic computing environment for infrastructure, software and development platforms with quicker time to value and reduced costs when compared to most traditional in house solutions. Some of the cloud security tips that you can follow include:

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Physical cloud security

This is where fire prevention, climate control and suppression systems need to be taken care in the right way. The provider should have uninterruptable power supplies and should also make sure that there are always personnel round the clock who take care f security issues incase there is any breach in any way. The provider should be well equipped with video cameras and other biometric capabilities like facial recognition or fingerprints.

Inspection and administration

Antimalware and antivirus application are some of the best cloud security tips that you can take to heighten security. Content filtering should also be employed at the gateways. In addition to this, data loss prevention capabilities need to be considered especially if you will be dealing with a lot of sensitive information like personal or financial date. A lot of attention also needs to be focused on cloud hypervisors when operating with a couple of operating systems. Access to this kind of platforms should however be restricted and should be disabled or locked down incase you suspect that there is any problem.

Logging and monitoring

Comprehensive logging and monitoring should also be handled as part of cloud security tips. Almost all security standards require the ability to control as well as monitor access to networking, data, applications and all the other systems. A cloud environment whether it is outsourced or in house needs to have the same capabilities.

VM-specific security

Make sure you look for a provider who offers VM (Virtual Machines) specific security. It is a requirement that this should be protected by firewalls which are cloud specific. Intrusion prevention systems as well as programmatic and consistent patch management processes needs to be put in place. All the applications used need to utilize dedicated databases where possible. Access to this however should be limited. It is usually best to use 2 factor authentications like digital authentication for passwords and usernames. Role of all the users needs to be well defined. Encryption of passwords is also advisable. This should however not be highly customized as this is usually one of the sources of weak security protection.

It is also important to deal with vulnerability management when thinking about cloud security tips. All the applications that you use should be designed in such a way that they are not vulnerable to some of the common exploits that most people experience. Applications need to go through vulnerability scanning, regular patching, continuous monitoring and independent security testing. Data storage is also something that needs to be well though of. Segregate data types appropriately. Additionally, logical and physical allocation of data needs to be known due to privacy and potential security implications. Change management policies also need to be clearly understood and documented.

Natasha is writer and blogger, currently writes for Ninefold, Australia. She contributes to the online society by blogging on a variety of topics, currently exploring in cloud computing, web hosting, cloud server, dedicated servers and other popular tech related trends.