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Within the cloud environment, there is a double-edged sword that many organizations face today. As companies race towards digital transformations to increase their productivity, it is becoming more popular to adopt cloud technology. However, the endeavor of the digital transformation does have stumbling blocks that many organizations fail to anticipate. This often results in taking one step forward, two steps back.
As companies evaluate the cost effectiveness that the cloud represents, they face many hidden risks that cannot be ignored. Before these organizations step forward and take on the cloud environment, they should have a robust strategy in place that will evaluate the pros and cons of the risk involved. The cloud’s technology is fast-paced and ever changing.
As hackers develop new code in their methods for developing, the attack evolves. Organizations and the cloud environment must stay one step ahead by constantly evaluating their security measures. True, the cloud environment has become more cost-effective for organizations to operate within, but this subsequently creates security threats.
The cloud environment is not always a one size fits all for every business. Not all organizations are on the same level as far as having cyber-security expertise personnel to evaluate the cloud environment as it relates to their goals. Some of the problems that can be created by the cloud environment produce the following security questions:
Has the organization ascertained the System Security Plan (SSP) detailing the security measures being taken by that cloud vendor to protect the organization’s data?
How often does the cloud provider apply patches and remediation's to outstanding vulnerabilities; and how old are those vulnerabilities that still exist in the network?
Does the organization have the specific knowledge set, within the company, to evaluate the security within that cloud provider, or do they need to go to a third-party vendor?
If an organization has obtained the SSP, do applicable personnel within know how to determine which weaknesses of the cloud provider are in planned status or have been remediated?
Has the organization reviewed the risk assessment plan and identified all known vulnerabilities within that cloud environment?
The organization needs to ensure that the cloud provider has adequate continuous monitoring capabilities.
Does the organization have cyber security insurance that would assist in recovering the cost should their data be breached within the cloud environment?
For those organizations that lack cyber security expertise to evaluate the circumstances adequately, it plays to their advantage to organize with sub-contracted vendors. Because of the rise of cyber-attacks, the risks these organizations inherit ever increases. The organization’s reputation is only as good as the means they use to protect the data.