The cloud has become an essential part of business and organizational operations and security. As more and more data is processed and stored in the cloud, the need for robust cloud security monitoring has increased.
Cloud security monitoring is not a new term, but its implementation and use are ever-growing.
Cloud security monitoring involves tracking activity and events in the cloud, detecting malicious or unauthorized activity, and taking action to prevent or mitigate damage. It is critical for businesses that rely on cloud services for essential operations.
There are many different types of cloud security monitoring solutions available, including but not limited to:
- Data loss prevention (DLP)
- Threat intelligence
- Security information and event management (SIEM)
- Cloud access security broker (CASB)
- Endpoint protection
Each organization will have different needs, so it is crucial to evaluate the options and select the solution that best meets them.
Data Monitoring and Integration
Monitoring all data flows, both inbound and outbound, is necessary to ensure data security in the cloud.
It will detect any irregularities or unusual activity, such as a user making unauthorized copies of company data, selling the data to a third party, or sending it to another country where anyone with minimal effort could access it.
It is also essential to access all existing cloud data from an organization’s security platform. If it’s not already in the security platform, this requires importing all data from cloud applications into one central location for analysis and monitoring. All relevant information can be gathered and analyzed together.
Comprehensive Cloud Monitoring
According to reports, the world will store 200 zettabytes of data in the cloud by 2025.
Comprehensive cloud monitoring makes use of machine learning and other advanced analytics tools so that alerts can be generated automatically rather than requiring human intervention after every incident.
Some companies still rely on manual tasks to perform threat detection, but this is becoming less common now that more sophisticated tools are available.
Cloud security monitoring has evolved substantially over the past few years. It is now possible to automate most of the process and reduce response time and costs.
It means that cloud security monitoring services can now be offered on a subscription basis for an affordable price, making it fit for smaller businesses who cannot hire their security experts or invest in expensive on-premises solutions that require constant upkeep and support.
Furthermore, since cloud computing is already integrated into most modern businesses, either directly or via third-party providers, it makes sense to monitor activities in the cloud and individual machines.
Finally, because so much data is transmitted between the cloud and endpoints, it is essential to use endpoint protection software to detect and prevent malicious activities.
The software can also be used to monitor user behavior and activity and protect against ransomware and other types of malware.
Why Consider a Cloud Security Platform?
A cloud security platform provides all the functionality businesses need to secure their data in the cloud. It includes data loss prevention, threat intelligence, security information, event management, cloud access security broker, and endpoint protection. Some key features are listed below.
- A single layer of glass to manage all cloud apps for quick access to vital information.
- Automated tracking and monitoring of user behavior across multiple cloud apps.
- Data loss prevention that includes data classification, encryption, security protocols, timeouts, and archiving policies.
- Authentication controls that provide the ability to monitor logins across all cloud apps.
- Reporting features that can be filtered to suit specific compliance requirements or highlight suspicious activity.
- Visualization tools make it easy to interpret data. It can help with reporting requirements and identify trends in user behavior (good or bad) over time.
Cloud security platforms are often tailored specifically for certain types of business needs. For example, an educational institution or a public sector organization may require a data loss prevention system that detects explicitly and prevents the unauthorized release of student information.
A cloud security platform can provide an appropriate set of tools to address this need, along with all the standard functionality listed above.
It is feasible to integrate third-party solutions into a cloud security platform, i.e., it can be customized to support any custom requirements for specific vertical markets. It includes compliance with legal requirements such as GDPR and other privacy regulations worldwide.
As a more significant number of businesses are opting for cloud computing to store their critical data, you must look at the best practices for handling the security and privacy of your company’s information.
Once you find the loopholes for possible data threats, you can optimize cloud security platforms to keep your confidential data safe from malicious hackers.
