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As companies grow, so do their needs for increased storage and computing power, which is why many organizations turn to cloud services for housing and powering their business’s infrastructure. In 2022, it was projected that 57% of businesses would migrate their work to the cloud to take advantage of the many benefits cloud computing offers.
Cloud computing allows businesses to store and process large amounts of data without the need for a costly internal setup, and businesses only have to pay for the space and CPU that they need. This makes cloud computing a more affordable and practical solution for scaling operations as a business grows.
However, when organizations expand their physical and virtual IT infrastructure for processing and storing their data, they will inevitably have a greater need for heightened security measures to protect their digital assets.
Although cloud computing offers many advantages over traditional means of scaling a business’s computational power, there are some extra considerations that must be taken into account. Since cloud environments are shared with other individuals and organizations, they come with an increased need for additional security precautions.
So how do businesses address their needs for increased security while also fully leveraging the benefits of cloud computing? This is where cloud security managed services come into play.
Cloud security managed services allow businesses to create customized security protocols that are tailored to fit their organization’s specific needs by taking several factors into account. These can include what kinds of devices are connected to the organization’s network and cloud environment, user access and privileges, virtual applications, and industry-specific regulatory compliance, among many others.
In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at cloud computing – what it is, how it works, what its advantages are, and how you can make sure your organization’s digital assets are protected with cloud security managed services.
In the past, when businesses wanted to store large amounts of information while making it available to their employees and/or customers, they had to acquire, configure, and maintain an in-house server. A server is essentially a computer that can be accessed by other devices in order to interact with the server’s data and make use of its processing resources.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the term host in reference to websites, and in this instance, the host is a server where the website lives. Anyone who wants to access the website would need to type the site’s URL in their device’s browser, which then sends a request to the server where the website is stored. Any time you share information with a website, even if all you are doing is viewing a page, you are establishing a connection with the site’s server.
All of the information that is processed on the website uses the server’s resources to complete the request and send the information to the appropriate devices through a series of digital protocols.
When we use cloud computing, we are establishing a similar connection to the cloud service; all of the information we access and process through cloud computing is stored on a remote server that will generally have much higher processing speed and storage capacity than a traditional computer.
Cloud computing services, such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, keep and maintain large server farms that can be accessed by millions of users around the world at any given time. These two examples in particular wield the lion’s share of the internet’s servership, and they have service models that range from providing basic access to storage and processing to furnishing complex business applications for managing and analyzing data.
Cloud security managed services refers to the outsourcing of security solutions to protect an organization’s cloud-based assets. These services are designed to remove the burden of developing and maintaining the organization’s security approach by entrusting this process to third-party security experts.
Cloud security managed services ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s data by protecting essential and sensitive information from existing and emerging cyber threats, while also adhering to industry standards and regulations.
These services enhance the organization’s overall security approach to its cloud environment by offering a range of security services, such as risk assessment, access control, data protection, threat detection, security incident response, and liability management. Cloud security managed services are able to accomplish this because they employ a variety of software to continuously monitor the organization’s cloud infrastructure, which allows them to identify and mitigate security risks.
In addition to providing the necessary software to make this comprehensive security approach possible, cloud security managed services also bring their expertise and insights to the table, which can greatly enhance the capabilities of a business’s existing IT personnel.
Cloud security managed services play a vital role in protecting cloud-based asset because they:
When you work with a cloud security managed services provider, you are getting the best of what the cybersecurity industry has to offer for a fraction of the cost of keeping your security efforts in-house. This allows your organization to focus on what it does best, while leaving its security to trusted experts with decades of experience.
There are many advantages to outsourcing your cloud security efforts to a cloud security managed services provider that you should be aware of when approaching the complex task of fortifying your organization’s cloud environment.
Because cloud security managed services providers base their entire business model on cyber security, they have access to information and resources that their clients may not be aware of. When new threats are detected, this information is often shared with a number of organizations throughout the cybersecurity industry.
New cybersecurity threats are constantly being developed by malicious actors, as well as by “whitehat” hackers (security experts who attempt to exploit potential vulnerabilities in order to create new means of protection). In addition to new threats, there are innumerable iterations of existing threats that are developed to hide the threat’s signature and prevent it from being detected by established security measures.
By sharing this information with government bodies and other organizations, security experts are able to collaboratively develop new security strategies and share this information with one another. Additionally, they can integrate information about how these threats behave into their software in order to ensure earlier detection and response.
Cloud security managed services providers possess a much greater degree of security insight than individual security experts. Because these providers are entrusted with protecting a large number of organizations against security threats, they are able to aggregate threat information from a wide variety of platforms and incorporate this data into their security approach.
When working with a cloud security managed services provider, you are benefitting from the experience they have gained by working with dozens or even hundreds of other clients – not just with your own.
Cloud security managed services providers are also led by numerous security experts who combine their expertise to create a more comprehensive approach to the cybersecurity landscape. When you work with such an organization, you are getting a proven security solution that has been developed over years by building on industry standards with the latest security information available.
Although their security solutions are made to work across a wide range of IT infrastructures, cloud security managed solutions providers are able to customize a unique approach that fits your individual needs.
Your cloud security solution will take into account every aspect of how you do business, including the number of employees you have, their individual permissions and roles, the kinds of devices you use, how many locations you work from, whether you have remote employees, and everything in between.
You will also be able to dictate what types of data you wish to monitor, how you will respond to certain kinds of threats, and who will be notified when a security incident takes place. If you already have an IT department responsible for your security, they will be able to work closely with your cloud security managed services provider to continuously ensure your organization’s ongoing digital safety.
Also, if you’re not sure how to go about setting up a security approach to your organization’s cloud environment, your cloud security managed services provider will be able to guide you through the process and help you determine what your needs are.
Many industries, such as healthcare, banking, and the legal sector, are highly regulated, and they must meet certain criteria to remain in compliance with regulatory bodies.
Your cloud security managed services provider will not only be aware of these requirements, but they will also have security solutions in place to address the special needs of businesses within these sectors.
Navigating the security requirements for these kinds of businesses can be challenging and confusing, but having an experienced cloud security managed services specialist will greatly simplify the process of developing security measures within these industries.
You might think that such a robust and comprehensive security solution could only come with a huge premium, but when you compare a cloud security managed services provider to the cost of an in-house solution, outsourcing your cloud security is the clear winner in terms of cost.
Developing a cloud security strategy from the ground up is a process that will take months to deploy and years to perfect. You will likely need to contract multiple security consultants and employ several IT professionals in order to identify all of your vulnerabilities and create the means to mitigate the risks that are implied.
Furthermore, if you were to opt for an in-house security solution, you will still need to acquire some form of third-party software to monitor and manage all of your data. This will require you to hire a team of IT security experts who are trained and experienced in managing this type of software.
Rather than paying multiple salaries plus benefits to keep your security solution up and running, you could opt to pay for a subscription model that will give you access to an entire team of security experts who are well-versed in operating a proven security solution.
In addition to its exorbitant cost, an in-house cloud security solution requires an excessive amount of effort and time to develop and deploy. On average, organizations should prepare for dedicating several months or more to getting their in-house cloud security approach up and running.
The amount of time this will take depends on several factors, such as the size of the organization, the organization’s industry, the complexity of its existing infrastructure, and its financial resources.
Opting for cloud security managed services will ensure that your setup is streamlined, straightforward, and ready to go from the first time it is deployed. Throughout the setup process, you will be able to count on your managed services provider to walk you through the process, identify the most critical types of data that will need to be monitored, and provide realistic expectations for when you can expect the security solution to be operational.
If you are considering outsourcing your cloud security needs to a third-party cloud security managed services provider, then you need to know what to look for in this kind of security organization. Here are a few of the hallmarks of a reliable and trustworthy cloud security provider.
We’ve already gone over the benefits of working with an experienced cloud security managed services provider, but this is of the utmost importance, which is why we are going to quickly reiterate this point here.
When considering a cloud security managed services provider, take some time to investigate their background and skills. It is important to ensure that your cloud security managed services provider has members with a diverse set of backgrounds, coming from cybersecurity, cloud management, software development, and business administration.
When entrusting your data to a third party, you need to be sure that they are up to the task of helping you manage and secure your data for the long term. This will be evidenced by their reputation and success stories.
Before contracting with a cloud security managed services provider, be sure to ask them for references from past clients, certifications and licensing, and documentation on how their platform can provide results.
Another important feature you will find in a competent and trusted provider is an exhaustive list of products and services. As we mentioned before, the approach to cloud security will differ from one organization to another, so having a comprehensive catalog of security offerings is the only way to ensure that a cloud security managed services provider will be able to deliver adequate security coverage for any type of client.
These services might include identity management and access control, vulnerability scanning, compliance management, threat detection and response, and data encryption.
Flexibility is a must-have when hiring a cloud security managed services provider. As your business grows and evolves, so will your needs for security. What works for you now may not work for you a few years from now, but you don’t want to pay for what you might need in the future.
This is why it’s important that your cloud security solution is both flexible and scalable, allowing you to only pay for what you need when you need it. Take some time to address this concern with a potential cloud security managed services provider before deciding whether you should work with them. Let them know what your security concerns are, and ask them what they would recommend based on your specific needs. Also, you should use this opportunity to share your business goals with them and find out how their product can help you reach them.
When you are considering working with a third party to address your security needs, you want someone who communicates with you thoroughly and in a timely manner from the outset of your business relationship.
If you choose to work with them, their ability to get back to you quickly while fully addressing your questions and concerns may affect your timeline for making critical changes to your daily operations. For example, if you promote an employee and would like to enhance their permissions and access so they can carry out their new position, you may need to contact your cloud security managed services provider to ask them to make the necessary changes.
It’s always a good idea to read over the service provider’s service agreements to understand what their contractual obligations are in terms of response times and procedures, especially when it comes to security incidents. In the case of a security breach, you will want to be kept up-to-date at all times on the integrity of your data.
It’s best to go over these points carefully to let them know what your expectations are and ask if they will be able to meet them satisfactorily.
If you have made it this far into the article, you might still be wondering how exactly Blueshift provides such a comprehensive approach to cloud security. The short answer is with Blueshift’s managed XDR suite. The XDR (Extended Detection and Response) suite is an all-encompassing approach to security that is capable of monitoring every device, user, and environment within your network.
Blueshift’s XDR suite combines several individual security applications to create a single system that provides total security for your organization.
Blueshift’s SOC located in the United States is a 24-hour operation that is online 365 days a year. Our SOC is solely dedicated to monitoring and securing your business’s activities, ranging from the endpoint device to the cloud in which your business operates.
At our SOC, we employ seasoned security professionals who use a combination of hands-on expertise and advanced automation to continuously detect and respond to threats. Because our SOC is fully equipped with experienced personnel and cutting edge technology, organizations often find that they have little or no need for additional in-house security.
These elements of Blueshift’s XDR suite are the gears that make the entire security engine run. By combining AI and machine learning, Blueshift is able to monitor every piece of data that is logged throughout your entire network and cloud environment.
Whenever an action takes place on a device, whether it’s a computer, a virtual machine, an IoT device, a router, or any other device, the device’s system creates a data log to keep records of everything that is taking place. As these logs are created, Blueshift’s proprietary AI and machine learning algorithms analyze the data within the logs to detect anomalous activities and identify potential threats.
In addition to log monitoring, the AI and ML algorithms also analyze data packets that are being sent from one device to another. This means that they do not only detect threats within a device’s internal activity, but also within any form of incoming data.
This process takes place in real time, thanks to the advanced hardware in our security operations center. Our powerful computers are able to process millions of lines of data simultaneously and pick up on anything that deviates from the system’s normal baseline behavior model.
When a threat is detected, the AI system is then able to deploy an automated response to the perceived threat. The response can be customized according to the level of the detected threat, which allows security staff to prioritize more serious threats that require manual intervention.
Threat intelligence can be gathered from a variety of internal and external sources, such as log data, security industry forums, and government agencies.
Threat intelligence refers to the data and insights regarding historical cyber attacks and intrusions that can be used to identify and proactively defend against future threats. This intelligence consists of the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to networks, systems, and devices.
By gathering and understanding this data, security teams are better equipped to anticipate and mitigate potential threats. This threat intelligence data can also be incorporated into AI and machine learning algorithms to improve their performance.
When AI and ML algorithms have access to extensive data, they are able to compare new data against an enriched body of information, resulting in more accurate threat detection capabilities.
Whitelisting is a proactive approach to network access. Blacklisting, the counterpart to whitelisting, is the process of curating a list of blocked access sources that are not allowed to interact with a network.
On the other hand, managed whitelisting refers to the process of creating and maintaining a list of approved access points for a network and cloud environment. These access points can include IP addresses, domain names, email addresses, usernames and passwords, etc.
Whitelisting is a more restrictive security practice, controlling who and what has access to your data and network. If an entity is not on the whitelist, it is not granted access. Whitelisting can be implemented at various levels as well, rather than being deployed in a single format across the entire system.
For example, if you have certain files, devices, and system processes that should only be accessed by specific users, you can create individual whitelists for each of these elements. Furthermore, any time that a device or user attempts to access an application without the proper credentials or permissions, a security event will be created and sent to the SOC for review.
Security information and event management is the process through which data logs and packets are recorded and analyzed by AI and ML algorithms for threat detection. When AI and ML are deployed within the SIEM platform, these algorithms are fed data to establish a baseline for what is considered normal user behavior and network activity. This data can come from various sources of threat intelligence to provide an enriched body of data for contextual correlation.
The managed SIEM can be implemented on any device, user account, or virtual environment. The platform is generally implemented prior to full deployment for a predetermined amount of time so it can record and analyze data created by the application it is being used for. Once it has been allowed enough time to create the baseline behavior model, it will be activated to continuously record and monitor data as it is being created and received.
Vulnerability detection makes use of specialized techniques and tools to continuously scan devices and networks to identify vulnerabilities, security gaps, and misconfigurations. This proactive approach is used to create detailed reports that are reviewed by the SOC and addressed according to the severity of their potential impact.
By identifying vulnerabilities and staying informed on emerging security threats, security professionals are able to address security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
Self-defending storage is the practice of incorporating security measures directly into the storage infrastructure to prevent unauthorized access and attacks. These measures can include encryption, auditing, intrusion detection, and automated responses.
Through the use of self-defending storage, the SOC is able to protect organizations against liabilities associated with corrupted or manipulated data, as well as data breaches and ransomware.
Detection and response is a broad term that incorporates everything we have mentioned in this list and more. In addition to threat prevention, detection and response is the foundation of every security approach.
No matter how advanced and thorough a security system’s preventive measures might be, it’s impossible to prevent every type of intrusion or attack that might occur. The tactics used to gain unauthorized access into a system are continuously changing, and new malicious software is being rolled out every day, which means that it is a matter of when an intrusion will occur. Not if.
This is why detection and response capabilities are essential to any cybersecurity approach. In order to effectively prevent an intrusion that could result in data being corrupted or leaked, detection and response must occur in real time. As we mentioned before, this is where AI and ML are heavily relied upon to stop attacks before they are successful.
Because machine learning is so proficient in recognizing patterns, as well as detecting anomalies and deviations within those patterns, an intrusion will often be detected immediately upon gaining access to the system.
From there, the AI algorithm will analyze the intrusion, determine the severity of the attack, and respond according to its programmed security protocols.
This automated process contains the threat and prevents it from spreading, which gives the SOC time to safely investigate and address the attack.
In conclusion, cloud security managed services provide organizations with a robust approach to address their security needs, while reaping the benefits of scalability and cost-effectiveness. When organizations outsource their security needs to Blueshift, they can rest assured that their digital assets will remain confidential and secure at all times.
One of the key benefits of cloud security managed services by Blueshift is that our clients gain access to the expertise and insights provided by our experienced security professionals. Because of our extensive collective background, we possess a wealth of security information that we have gained from years of hands-on experience and collaboration with other organizations within the cybersecurity industry.
Moreover, we offer customized security solutions that can be tailored to your organization’s specific needs. Our personalized approach will improve your overall security posture, while ensuring the integrity of your data and daily operations.
When you partner with Blueshift for your organization’s security, you can focus on what you do best and leave your cloud security to our team of trusted professionals. Contact Blueshift today to request more information about our advanced cloud security platform!