What are cloud services?

Cloud services point to the array of services delivered over the internet to customers and organizations. These services eliminate the necessity of internal infrastructure or hardware, providing an easy-efficient doorway towards numerous applications and resource benefits. Cloud services vary by type, and generally, there are three types of cloud services available for companies seeking aid.

(1) SaaS- Software as a service

The hottest in the cloud service is the SaaS, usually a broad category that encircles services such as file storage & backup, project management resources/tools and web-based email facilities. The cloud service focuses on information storage, access, management, sharing and security. Some examples of SaaS as a service includes Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox, G suite etc.

(2) IaaS- Infrastructure as a service

Coming to IaaS, the type provides infrastructure facilities to many providers to effectively manage SaaS tools. While unlocking infrastructure as a service, it could reduce the expense and stress of self-managed infrastructure by providing a complete data center framework. IaaS vanishes the need for on-site installations to opted organizations. Some examples are Microsoft Azure and AWS.

(3) PaaS- Platform as a service

PaaS act as a cloud service model that serves as a platform where developers could build cloud-based apps. It offers the required database, operating system and language support for developing cloud-based software. Most of the IaaS providers furnish PaaS capabilities, offering greater flexibility and ease to the users.

Benefits of cloud services & applications

People still believe that on-premise closed network systems make an edge over cloud services. Another common misconception is that cloud services are more susceptible to cyber risks concerning the far-flung nature. But cloud services are indeed beneficial than on-premise system facilities. Let us look at some healthy reflections on the same.

*Cloud enables its users to pay only for services they require, cutting down the extra costs. Whether they use IaaS, PaaS or SaaS, they only need to pay for the exact service features. The significant cost savings has resulted in greater reachability for cloud services.

*Improved flexibility for users with the service as they can continuously work on many scalability factors. The computing furnishes the scope of increasing and decreasing storage and network capacities, responding to ongoing demands and requests.

*It gives the developers the needed agility to make improvements or enhancements to various applications. Cloud services provide the best support and the needed flexibility for the continuous flow of work without a cease.

*Cloud services offer an optimized IT environment, and at the same time, reflects cost benefits. It eliminates the requirement of running on-premise IT infrastructure, vanishing the need for physical space, AC, hardware and maintenance costs.

*Cloud services are easily manageable. It can create a resource in a few clicks, and you don’t need to get rid of old physical components/hardware while upgrading the servers.

*Cloud services offer improved collaboration and communication options for data sharing, access and maintenance in cloud servers with inbuilt security controls and standards.

Cloud security services for a complete cybersecurity posture

Although cloud services are beneficial on all parts of the development process, organizations lack deployment awareness on many terms. With growing threats of attackers on one side and financial limitations of organizations on the other, the cybersecurity posture goes in vain. Before knowing the gains of various cloud-based security services, let us gouge the mud on potential threats.

1.Common threats surrounding the cloud

 

• Regulatory compliance

While the cloud providers are accountable for the security of the provided services, organizations also should adhere to the required compliances. Non-compliance to regulatory guidelines can result in hefty fines and often affects customer confidentiality and the organization’s reliability. Choosing the right cloud security solutions provider can aid you with the required advisory.

• Data thefts/breaches

With steady growth in organizations relying on cloud services, data security is a concern to many organizations. Exploiters or attackers go equipped with the latest trends, and as companies keep extending their digital footprints, data security is always at some risk. Attackers keep changing the modes and points of attack, the lights of expert cloud security solutions and services are keen.

• Malware injections

The cloud acts as a host to various applications and services. Usually, the data server becomes a possible hit for expert attackers who tries to sneak in. They use intentive code scripts, injecting them into the server. It can cause a total disruption and damage to any number of enterprises operating within the server.

• Malicious intrusions

The insider threats of business partners, contractors or any current/ previous employees with bad intentions raises a threat to many companies with given access permissions. Besides these threats, there are situations where an external person or groups infiltrate into the system and prolong with spy works and activities.

• Unsafe APIs

APIs are software interfaces used by customers to access and retrieves information from cloud-based applications. In recent times these interfaces have shown the vulnerability factor with improper configuration and monitoring. Data leaks could occur and appear to be the perfect bite for intruders looking to lurk inside.

• Distributed denial of service

DDOS attacks are high risk when coming to cloud computing and services, where the resources get shared by many users. They attack system resources and services often by flooding the traffic with fake requests. It can cause heavy financial burdens and loss to firms.

• Account hijacks

Attackers use phishing scams and other sophisticated tools to gain access credentials of a system, imposing a serious threat to cloud services. By controlling the access information, it targets cloud accounts and intrudes on sensitive data. Account hijacks can cause serious business after-backs.

2.Cloud security services

Molding a cybersecurity posture reflects an organization’s ability, expertise and resource sufficiency, addressing threats, foreseeing upcoming risk factors and deploying the right cloud security solutions. Even though cloud providers come safe enough with the security features, cloud security consulting services make an organization’s posture adhere to required security compliance. Let’s pin the best cybersecurity services, offering your complete protection and cyber standard.

1.Identity & Access Management

IAM is a solid framework comprising of business policies, processes and technologies that helps in the effective management of identity-related risks. Using penetration tests in cloud premises, you can easy-access your system flaws and strength, determining your cybersecurity posture. Cloud IAM solutions foster a clean security interface for all cloud platforms, featuring enhanced security and resource-level access control.

2.Cloud network security

Moulding a cybersecurity posture reflects an organization’s ability, expertise and resource sufficiency in addressing threats, foreseeing risk factors and deploying the right cloud security solutions. A cloud consultant provides the needed cloud security consulting services in designing, implementing, migrating and maintaining cloud applications. Some of the cloud security services are,

3.VM security

VM security services focus and pictures improved information security from onpremise solutions to virtual environments, securing your cloud platforms. It varies from the traditional hardware-based security controls, providing softwarebased solutions in the virtual IT environment. VM security in cloud computing helps to protect hosted elements by segregation, component testing from roots, separate management APIs and security policies.

4.Office 365 security

Office 365 security assessment and monitoring services focuses on the end-to-end protection of office 365 features and functions. As O365 is the initially opted cloud service for any organization, the protection marks the prime responsibility with security concerns. Office 365 security services in the cloud extend from sensitive data protection, advanced threat protection, accessibility and encryption towards device protection features and an offered phishing-free environment.

5.Azure security

Having the right cloud security consulting services for your Azure security is important while looking for a better cybersecurity posture. An expert team conducts deep network scanning, identify open FTP portals and share drives, determining the associated vulnerability factors. Timely cybersecurity assessments, penetration testing’s, auditing, vulnerability assessments, data network protection, governance, control and recommendations wrap up the Azure security service.

6.AWS security

AWS security engagement involves a detailed report on AWS security assessment by an expert cloud security solutions provider. It points to an executive summary presented to the management on risk findings, ratings and remediation options. AWS report is all-inclusive of findings on network, database, storage and security deployment. With the effective deployment of AWS recommendations, organizations could meet the core security standard and compliance.

7.Web & email security

A web and email security solution enable organizations to secure their sensitive data from external threats. It also aids the detection of upcoming security threats, email protection at endpoints and behavioural changes. These findings, risk analysis, and remediation options could make your web and email security adhere to the required security standards and good maintenance of posture.

8.DevSecOps

DevSecOps or ‘security as code’ patches and controls the gaps between IT and security, ensuring a better code delivery. It can scale up the speed and quality of the delivery by effective communication with the security, operations and the development team. DevSecOps is one of the significant cloud-based security services, improving proactive security, accelerated patching and cost-effective software delivery.

9.Cloud-Firewall security

Cloud firewalls are cloud-deployed network devices that ensure the mitigation of unwanted intrusions or access to cloud networks. Cloud firewall security drives organizations with next-gen intrusion prevention, deep packet inspection, and application control policies. Seeking the aid of a consultant organization in cloud firewall assessment and security could leverage your cloud security protection with an accurate finding report of vulnerabilities and suggested recommendations.