Cloud Security: Protecting Your Cloud from Attack
Cloud security is not a one-time setup. It is a continuous effort that spans people, processes, and technology. In the cloud, security is a shared responsibility between you and your cloud provider. The provider guards the infrastructure, but you own access control, data protection, and incident response. A clear plan helps reduce risk and speeds response when threats appear.
Begin with identity and access management. Enforce MFA, grant least privilege, and prefer roles over long-term keys. Rotate credentials regularly, use short-lived tokens, and review access on a schedule. Create separate admin and automation accounts, and document a secure “break-glass” procedure for emergencies.
Protect data at rest and in transit. Use encryption by default, strong keys, and automatic rotation. Manage keys with a dedicated service, avoiding hard-coded secrets. Ensure backups are encrypted and tested for restores. Apply data loss prevention where possible, and label sensitive data.
Secure network design is essential. Use private subnets, limit exposure, and drive traffic through controlled security groups or firewalls. Enable segmentation to limit blast radius. Require VPN or Bastion access for admin work, and review rules periodically.
Monitoring and logging are critical. Centralize logs from all services and set meaningful alerts. Use threat detection and automated scans to find vulnerabilities early. Maintain runbooks for common incidents and rehearse them with regular drills.
Compliance and risk management help you stay steady. Align with standards such as CIS, NIST, or ISO. Keep an asset inventory, perform periodic risk assessments, and patch promptly. Document policies and keep evidence ready for audits.
People and processes matter as much as tools. Train teams, assign clear ownership, and update security settings after incidents. A simple, repeatable process often beats a flashy toolkit.
Key Takeaways
- Cloud security is a shared responsibility with ongoing governance and testing.
- Focus on IAM, encryption, network controls, and monitoring to reduce risk.
- Prepare runbooks, regular drills, and compliant practices to shorten incident response.