We’ve been advocating for the need to rethink cloud security (see our recent blog), and why a cloud-based security architecture differs from securing on-premises infrastructure.
We think this topic is worth your attention. A significant cloud migration is underway; McKinsey recently reported that large enterprises expect that up to 60% of their IT environments will be in the cloud by 2025. Think about all that data that will need protection!
At the same time, security threats directed at cloud apps and workloads are increasing in type and volume. Attackers are highly motivated by the potential for financial gain, so their attacks are becoming more devious and sophisticated.
In light of these colliding trends, we advise our clients to adopt a cloud-based security architecture. Like any tech implementation, it is an investment. But we’re here to tell you it’s worth the price. Here’s why.
Cloud Security Architecture Provides Proactive Security
A cloud-based security architecture (CSA) is based on modern IT infrastructure, including cloud-native services that are built for scalability and agility. This makes it easier to implement a proactive security strategy with, for example, automation of endpoint monitoring and patch management.
Most security operations teams are overwhelmed by alerts, often false positives, yet they must be investigated. A CSA is built to accommodate real-time intelligence and analytics to more rapidly detect and identify threats based on behaviors. These capabilities ultimately support and unburden security personnel.
Simplified Management
Similar to proactive security, a CSA can be easily managed. It takes some expertise on the front end to categorize and configure cloud security layers- including authentication and access control, user behavior and logging, asset and data clarification, etc. If you don’t have this talent in-house, an IT consulting firm like RKON help.
Once these configurations and safeguards are in place, your IT team will be much better equipped to centrally, uniformly, and efficiently manage security – which leads to the next benefit.
Easy Scalability
Automation simplifies repetitive tasks, reduces the likelihood of manual errors, and streamlines ongoing processes. A cloud-based security architecture with automated capabilities provides a level of standardization that eases business processes, including security.
For example, if your business decides to add employees, the security team typically goes through an onboarding process associated with user access and device access controls. Without automation, this process can take hours to ensure proper authentication and robust security. A CSA with automation helps security teams easily apply these controls and protocols.
On a wider scale, the centralized management capabilities of a CSA allow IT teams to more rapidly scale up security for new offices and implementations.
More Efficient Use of Resources
One of the biggest benefits of cloud-based security architecture is its efficiency. Cloud computing allows you to use resources more efficiently, which can result in cost savings and increased productivity.
Centralized management makes it easier to monitor and control the entire IT infrastructure. Teams save time having to stitch together information from different infrastructure silos. They can give visibility into storage and bandwidth issues, for example, to make rapid allocation decisions. Ultimately, this can also help reduce the need for additional hardware investments.
There are other considerations and benefits from a cloud-based security architecture. For example, some manufacturers are embedding security into cloud-based hardware – such as encryption at the silicon level to help mitigate firmware attacks.
The key to unlock this value: invest in modernization.
RKON security experts can further delineate how a CSA can specifically benefit your organization, guide you through implementation, and even deploy it for you. Contact us today.
