Is the Cloud Secure
In recent years many businesses have moved their IT infrastructure to the Cloud. This trend is likely to continue in the future as the Cloud offers many benefits such as scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency.
Cloud providers like AWS, Azure and GCP incorporate security features into their standard offerings but those are limited and may not meet the Cyber Security requirements of your business. The standard Cloud architecture offered by the main providers is primarily focused on the configuration and optimization of Cloud resources to achieve business objectives efficiently. Security features are often offered as add-ons or options which may not really meet your particular security requirements.
So the answer to the question is “Yes, the Cloud is secure - but it may not be secure enough for your business.”
How can we help?
We can assess your Cloud security as part of our Cyber Security Assessment and advise on its adequacy for your particular business needs and if necessary, suggest ways to improve it.
Using Security Architecture we offer a defence in depth strategy, employing multiple layers of security controls to protect your business. Our solution can be customized to fit your risk profile, compliance obligations and industry standards.
What is Security Architecture?
Security Architecture refers to the systematic and strategic approach taken to design and implement security measures across an organisations’ IT infrastructure. The primary goal is to safeguard data, applications, and systems from potential threats, vulnerabilities, and unauthorised access. Security Architecture encompasses various layers of Defence, including preventive, detective, and corrective measures, with an emphasis on risk assessment, compliance, and incident response.
Distinction from Standard Cloud Architecture
Standard Cloud Architecture, on the other hand, focuses on the design and deployment of cloud-based services and resources. It aims to ensure high availability, scalability, and performance, catering to the needs of modern businesses. While cloud providers like GCP, Azure, and AWS incorporate security features into their standard offerings, it is crucial to recognise the limitations of these out-of-the-box solutions and the necessity of a more comprehensive approach with Security Architecture.
Key Differences:
- Scope and Focus:
- Standard Cloud Architecture: Primarily emphasises on the configuration and optimisation of cloud resources to achieve business objectives efficiently. Security features are often offered as add-ons or optional configurations.
- Security Architecture: Focuses on identifying and mitigating risks through a dedicated, multi-layered security framework tailored to the organisations’ specific needs. It includes the integration of security measures into every aspect of the cloud infrastructure.
- Customisation:
- Standard Cloud Architecture: Cloud providers offer a predefined set of security tools and configurations, which may not align perfectly with each organisations’ unique security requirements.
- Security Architecture: Offers a higher degree of customisation, allowing organisations to implement tailored security solutions that fit their risk profiles, compliance obligations, and industry standards.
- Compliance and Governance:
- Standard Cloud Architecture: Provides basic compliance and governance capabilities to meet standard industry regulations. However, it may lack the depth required for specific industries or organisations’ with stringent compliance requirements.
- Security Architecture: Places strong emphasis on compliance and governance by designing security controls that align with industry standards, regional regulations, and internal policies.
- Defence-in-Depth Strategy:
- Standard Cloud Architecture: Often follows a single-layered security approach, assuming the cloud provider will manage most security concerns.
- Security Architecture: Adopts a comprehensive Defence-in-depth strategy, employing multiple layers of security controls to protect against various attack vectors and potential breaches.
- Incident Response and Monitoring:
- Standard Cloud Architecture: Provides basic logging and monitoring features, leaving incident response responsibilities mostly to the organisation.
- Security Architecture: Incorporates advanced monitoring, logging, and threat detection mechanisms, coupled with a robust incident response plan to detect, respond to, and mitigate security incidents effectively.
Conclusion
Security Architecture is a fundamental aspect of modern cloud computing, extending beyond the basic security offerings provided by cloud providers like GCP, Azure, and AWS. While standard cloud architecture focuses on resource provisioning and performance optimisation, Security Architecture emphasises the implementation of tailored security measures to protect an organisation's data, applications, and systems from evolving cyber threats. By incorporating a multi-layered Defence approach, stringent compliance measures, and a robust incident response plan, businesses can build a more secure and resilient cloud infrastructure to safeguard their digital assets and reputation in the ever-evolving threat landscape.
Talk to us About secure Architecture
With a long history of building secure architecture for Banking, Finance and Government, we are in the perfect place to help you design and build a secure architecture.
Either on Premise, Cloud or Hybrid.
