The growing adoption of cloud services has heightened the level of security threats.

Security challenges inherent to cloud technology are nothing new. Many companies are in the process of enforcing cloud-based protection but have now been compelled to speed up their plans. 

Neither traditional security methods, nor the existing tools are equipped to meet the needs of the API-centric, infrastructure agnostic, and borderless nature of the cloud architecture. Cloud security and cloud-native security services have, thus, become the need of the hour.

Cloud security refers to the procedures, technologies, processes, policies, controls, and services that protect the cloud-native architecture against external and internal/insider threats. Given its criticality, several cloud security services exist in the market. However, not all of them offer robust protection. In this article, we help you understand the 10 important considerations you should examine while choosing your cloud security provider/platform.

Top 10 Considerations to Choose a Cloud Security Service

1. Comprehensive and Multi-layered Security

The comprehensiveness of the cloud security platform directly impacts the effectiveness of security. The solution must be able to secure your entire cloud infrastructure (including third-party services used), applications, data, and entitlements through one unified platform across the entire lifecycle.

The cloud architecture has multiple layers, which necessitate multi-layered security, starting from cloud network security at the foundational level to web application security, API security, and threat intelligence at advanced levels.

2. Advanced Threat Prevention and Deep Cloud-Based Protection

The cloud security service you choose must be equipped to identify and prevent more than just the known threats. It must provide deep, real-time, multi-layered, intelligent cloud-based protection against known and emerging threats, including zero-days. It must be equipped with Global Threat Intelligence to remain aware of the fast-changing threat landscape and effectively protect the cloud architecture against them.

3. Granular Traffic Inspection and Control

The solution must be capable of continuous, granular traffic inspection and control in the era of borderless networks and environments. Ensure that a next-gen, intuitive application firewall is part of the solution as it can monitor the traffic and block bad requests from reaching the application.

4. Use of Futuristic Technology including Intelligent Automation

To keep up with the pace, scale, and agility of DevOps, the cloud security platform must leverage futuristic technologies, including automation, AI, deep learning, security analytics, and so on. This way, you can minimize human intervention and automatically detect vulnerabilities, and mitigate a large range of threats.

5. Full Visibility into the Cloud

The solution must provide end-to-end visibility into the dynamic cloud environment through its dashboard, actionable insights, security analytics, and reports. With real-time visibility, you can continuously monitor your assets, traffic movements, and the overall security posture. So, you can take timely action, when necessary.

6. Context-Aware and Scalable Security

The solution must continuously monitor and aggregate information from across the complex cloud environment. This intelligence must be used to tailor the security policies and controls in tune with the changing contexts.

Further, the cloud security solution must be scalable. It must enable you to secure your growing assets and cloud environment, even in the face of sudden disruptions like the global pandemic when the increased remote access eroded the security posture.

7. Cloud Security as a Managed Service

While advanced technology such as automation is necessary, human intervention cannot be completely done away with. From custom-building security policies for preventing zero-days and helping with remediation, certified security experts are necessary. That is why you must choose a managed security service like Indusface.

8. Ease of Installation, Integration, and Use

There are no two ways about this. The solution must be hassle-free to install and use while integrating seamlessly with your organization’s infrastructure and tech stack.

9. The Reputation of the Cloud Security Provider

You must choose a trustworthy and reputed cloud security service provider as their capabilities and service quality directly impact you. For instance, the security platform may promise all the above features, but what if they do not have a track record of service quality? Or what if they are not compliant? You will face the consequences of associating with such a vendor.

10. Total Cost of Ownership

The cost of ownership of cloud security managed service is not just about the subscription or license fee. You must consider the following while evaluating your costs.

• • Flexibility of the licensing model
• • Costs of installation and integration
• • Personnel required to administer the system
• • Training costs
• • Infrastructural and system requirements
• • Support offered and extra charges to be paid
• • Maintenance costs and so on

By accounting all these costs, you will know your total cost of ownership and ensure you avoid any hidden costs.

The Bottomline

Given its criticality, you must go beyond cost considerations in choosing your cloud security platform to harden your security posture. Ensure your cloud security provider offers coverage in above-mentioned areas to drive your business further.