Dark Clouds on the Horizon: Gaps in Cloud Security

Today, cloud security is more trusted than ever. According to a recent Google-commissioned study by IDG, in a survey of 2,000 IT leaders from around the globe, nearly 85 percent of respondents said that they trust cloud security practices as much as, or more than, those associated with their on-premises data infrastructures.¹

Counterintuitive though it may seem, the reality is that in most cases, data is actually more secure when it is maintained offsite. Cloud computing eliminates the dangers associated with on-site threats (disgruntled employees, break-ins, disasters and regional emergencies, and so on). At the same time, cloud vendors tend to take a more proactive approach to keeping security measures fully patched and up to date, often well beyond standards maintained by individual organizations.

As such, cloud computing is currently enjoying a golden age of trust and capability. Which is why it’s all the more important to recognize that cloud security isn’t infallible. There are still a number of gaps in cloud security, and the first step in closing those gaps is identifying them.

What Are the Major Problems of Cloud Security?

A solid cloud infrastructure brings with it a number of advantages. In addition to the obvious benefits associated with unrestricted availability (authorized users can access their cloud solutions at any time, from anywhere in the world) and improved collaboration (having a single, centralized set of cloud-based tools empowers team members to easily connect and share information), cloud computing is also capable of improving data capture and analysis, reporting, business continuity and resilience, and scalability. And given the current business environment, these are essential factors in retaining a competitive edge.

But we’re not here to discuss the strengths of the cloud; today, we want to focus on some of its potential weaknesses. Modern problems in cloud security, though not as obvious as those we feared back when the cloud first began to gain prominence, can still represent a clear danger to businesses and their customers.

Here, we take a closer look at several gaps in cloud security and how these dark clouds may be casting a shadow on your organization.

Inability to Replicate On-Prem Security and Compliance Models

When you operate within the cloud, you’re playing on someone else’s field and have to abide by their rules. And while cloud vendors implement effective security solutions, these solutions are seldom the same as those that you’ve already invested significant time and energy into creating. So what happens to those security investments when you make the switch to the cloud? In many cases, they risk being lost, along with essential data visibility.

This issue also extends to concerns related to compliance models. Data compliance is a major issue, with new and upcoming legislation taking an ever-more-aggressive approach to ensuring safe and ethical data practices. Noncompliance with regulatory measures may result in serious consequences, including fines, jail time for company executives, or even the forced dissolution of the offending company. Unfortunately, issues related to data compliance in the cloud can be difficult to fully define, but even when your data is completely managed by cloud vendors, you’re the one who assumes at least a portion of the liability. And when you have almost no say in what compliance models are being implemented, you also have little control over the outcome.

Difficulty Modifying Cloud Apps to Meet Security Controls

The gaps in cloud security extend into cloud applications. Cloud apps may not be designed to meet the security standards of the organizations that depend on them. While it may be possible to modify or extend some applications for improved security, doing so is generally a time-consuming, expensive, and extremely complex task. If you don’t have access to the available resources, expertise, or funding to modify cloud apps to meet your security controls, then you may find yourself looking for other options.

Stalled or Slowed Cloud Adoption

All of the previous points come together to create this final gap in cloud security. Because many organizations recognize the aforementioned issues, full cloud adoption may be slowed, lessened, or even completely halted. This can result in a less effective cloud security posture.

Gigamon Security and Compliance Solutions

In many (or possibly most) cases, your data and your reputation are still safer in the cloud than they would be if they were confined strictly to on-premises solutions. That said, these gaps in cloud security should not be overlooked. To help ensure optimal data protection in the cloud, you need optimal cloud visibility, from Gigamon.

GigaVUE^® Cloud Suite, an integral part of the Gigamon Hawk architecture, provides unfiltered visibility into any private or hybrid cloud infrastructure, giving you more control over everything that happens to your assets in the cloud. With Cloud Suite, you can eliminate many of the blind spots that stand in the way of optimal cloud security and experience. See exactly how your data is being handled; with Gigamon visibility-as-code, essential monitoring can be embedded directly into cloud automation, easily scaling up or down to match your needs.

With improved visibility comes increased control. Migrate your entire existing security posture directly to the cloud and ensure that your investment in on-premises solutions and essential compliance frameworks becomes part of your complete cloud security plan. Visibility also extends to cloud applications, giving you a reliable, easy, and inexpensive way to connect cloud apps with your proven security controls.

In other words, Gigamon Cloud Suite is closing the most prominent cloud security gaps. Blow away the dark clouds that are blocking your view of your data. Learn more about how clear cloud visibility can improve your security posture in the cloud, and enjoy cloud computing that’s a match for your business.

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References

1. “New research: Enterprises more confident than ever in cloud security.” Google, July 21, 2021. https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/enterprises-trust-cloud-security.