Cloud security is a priority as it is a shared responsibility

While there are numerous advantages to distributing cloud assets, software, and applications across multiple cloud-hosting environments, such as agility, flexibility, competitive pricing, scalability, and dependability, there are also several challenges that must be addressed.

One of these challenges is that businesses frequently struggle to secure a variety of different networks due to a lack of visibility across hosts and services, making it easier for bad actors to discover vulnerabilities that can be exploited within corporate infrastructure.

Because the network lacks defined perimeters, securing it is a fundamentally different prospect than securing an on-premises environment. As a result, a common misconception is that an on-premises environment is more secure than the network; however, network security is no more or less effective than on-premises security.

Increased adoption of cloud computing among businesses

In the Middle East, IT spending for cloud computing is increasing at an exponential rate, with expectations that the cloud market will reach $9.8 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 21 percent. Increasing penetration of cloud services among SMEs is a key driver for the region’s public cloud market growth, as is increasing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning services and solutions that enable businesses to monitor, analyse, and visualise large volumes of unprocessed data.

With this growing use of cloud computing among businesses across the region, there is a need to begin changing users’ perceptions of network security, and the discussion should instead focus on the pros and cons of each, rather than good versus bad.

These kind of discussions should boil down to what make the most sense for customers in terms of meeting their security needs. In this regard, the common asked question is who is ultimately responsible for security in the network. The answer to such a question is very simple, it is a shared responsibility.

With many businesses across the Middle East continuing to invest heavily in digital transformation, cloud infrastructure remains the most important component to safeguard, especially with the increase of cyber security threats. Recent reports show that the Middle East and Africa were the fourth most attacked region worldwide, while the most-attacked countries in the Middle East were the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The cloud-platform providers are responsible for network security and platform fortifying, but they are not responsible for data security. This remains the user’s or application owner’s responsibility, as they must ensure that the relevant security protocols are in place and that they are following a zero-trust process to secure their data. While cloud service providers will do everything possible to keep bad actors out of the scope, it is the client’s responsibility to protect their data.

Due to the nature of the cloud environment, businesses must control the access of a large number of users on their platform, which begins with implementing a zero-trust policy and applying the principle of least privilege across all access points. As a result, businesses must typically examine their access control strategies and how permission levels are associated.

They should then go through processes like managing access control, implementing rule-based access controls, or even role-based access control to find the right mix that gives them the level of security they need.

There are numerous storage and business alternatives available to firms who want to ensure the security and privacy of crucial enterprise data in the cloud without interfering with business operations. It comes down to selecting systems that can control access, keep an eye on activities, and promptly address problems in order to protect a company’s reputation.

A typical practice used by businesses to guarantee their security and the protection of customer data consists of a number of phases. Data discovery comes first, then data loss prevention tools and firewalls are put in place. The deployment of storage systems with integrated data protection solutions is another option for some on-premises users, who then select the best backup vendor for their environment.

Finding the best solutions for your company and controlling user access are what environment security is all about, not debating whether cloud computing or on-premises security is better. Businesses must have the appropriate technology to detect intruders while also making sure that staff, who are frequently the biggest threat to an organisation, have the necessary knowledge and training to adhere to security rules.