Cloud Security: Guarding Data Across Environments Data moves between clouds, SaaS apps, and on‑prem systems. To keep it safe, security teams must protect data at rest, in transit, and during access. A practical approach uses encryption, strong access control, and continuous monitoring. Zero trust—verify every request and minimize privileges—works well across environments.
Securing data in different states Data at rest: encryption keys should be rotated regularly and stored in a centralized key manager. Use separate keys for each environment and, if possible, hardware security modules (HSM) for added protection. Data in transit: require TLS for all connections and, for service-to-service calls, mutual TLS where feasible. Use private networks or endpoints to limit exposure. Access control: apply least privilege, enforce MFA for sensitive actions, and review access rights on a regular cadence. Visibility: enable comprehensive logging and set up alerts for unusual activity. Automation can flag misconfigurations before they become incidents. Practical steps for teams Map data flows and classify data so you know what needs the strongest protection. Pick encryption and key management solutions that fit each environment, and plan key rotation. Harden identities: use defined roles, short-lived credentials, and strong authentication. Tighten networks: deploy private endpoints, segregate networks, and restrict public access where possible. Test and audit: run tabletop exercises, automated checks, and periodic penetration tests. Example: A company stores customer records in a SaaS database, backs up copies to cloud storage, and runs analytics in a separate environment. It uses envelope encryption, rotates keys quarterly, and keeps keys in a dedicated HSM. Access is gated by MFA and RBAC, and all actions are logged to a central SIEM.
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