Modern businesses must deploy applications and services across a broad number of locations to make them accessible to employees and consumers alike. Without strong cloud security, however, stretching your network thin can invite dangerous threats.
Cloud web security, in particular, is a definite necessity for safeguarding cloud processes that may have exposure to the internet as a whole.
Key Takeaways:
- Implementing web security in the cloud is a process that entails assessment, configuration, and constant encryption.
- Optimizing a security strategy starts with taking a centralized approach and includes enforcing zero trust measures in every interaction.
- Building a cloud security framework can be difficult or impossible without the help of a specialized and supportive provider.
Discover what goes into a comprehensive security strategy so you can understand more about the benefits of a secured cloud environment.
What is cloud web security?
Cloud ecosystems are host to constant streams of communication between people and applications, which present many potential points of vulnerability that malicious parties can attempt to exploit. Cloud web security is a broad umbrella that covers all concepts about the protection of your cloud infrastructure from all such cyberattacks over the internet.
A full web security plan for your cloud environment provides several invaluable benefits:
- Increased visibility of vulnerabilities
- Secure remote access for employees anywhere
- Detailed reports that aid in monitoring and analytics
Without capable security practices in place, your organization can easily fall victim to hostile attackers who are constantly on the lookout for targets. A successful cyberattack can result in data loss, data leaks, or even system outages that can be extremely costly and might lead to a loss in customer faith.
Gartner projects that several key factors in the modern IT landscape will bring about a push in global security spending that will exceed $188.3 billion in 2023. This reflects the need all companies have to implement strong industry-standard security measures as a way to keep pace with the market and overall technology advancements.
Implementing cloud web security in your organization
Effective implementation of cloud web security requires an understanding of the key components that go into a security strategy:
- Backup procedures that ensure quick and efficient disaster recovery
- Firewalls at the perimeter and interior of your network that inspect incoming data
- Logs that record intrusion detection events and other abnormalities
- Encryption protocols that apply to data in transit and data at rest
- Traffic forwarding policies that direct all data through a uniform checkpoint
The first step in the actual implementation process is assessment. It is important to understand the current state of your security, all existing vulnerabilities, and the specific needs you must address. Consider what you can do to facilitate stronger business continuity.
The assessment phase informs which tools and solutions to implement, which then must undergo configuration. It is important to carefully configure your tools and your environment according to your unique circumstances. Be sure to work with software providers and cloud platform providers willing to assist with configuration.
The final step in cloud web security implementation is encryption, an ongoing process that you should maintain for the duration of your time in the cloud platform. It is important to encrypt all communications and data packets that you send over the web or into the cloud, as determined hackers can easily intercept this data and exploit it if left unprotected.
Check out this IDC whitepaper, to see the business value of the Nutanix Cloud Platform and the hybrid multicloud.
Making the most of cloud web security
Extracting the maximum value from your security plan starts with realizing that strong security ultimately serves to protect an organization’s finances by preventing costly attacks. Centralizing applications and data is one way to reduce costs by lowering resource demands and reducing the need for administration while also increasing reliability.
There are also certain challenges you must overcome if you expect to make the most of the security tools at your disposal. These challenges may come in the form of gaps in your security coverage, misconfigurations born from human error, or contractual breaches from trusted parties.
Another consideration to keep in mind is that your security plan is only future-proof if it is capable of scaling up with the rest of your infrastructure. As you expand or improve your operations, security practices must grow to match.
A particularly effective tactic for maximizing the value of your cloud web security and overcoming many of its inherent challenges along the way is to adopt a zero trust security philosophy. Under a zero trust model, data remains safe behind layers of authorization, authentication, and verification that all users must pass through to gain access.
Finding the right cloud web security solution
In a time when cloud computing is more of a necessity than a luxury, you need a suite of cloud-hosted solutions that guarantee security without inhibiting productivity.
The right security partner acknowledges the impact of cyberthreats on your business and is willing to work closely with you to put the best protections in place. From initial implementation to optimization and beyond, your cloud provider should be there every step of the way.
Nutanix security solutions address rapidly growing cyber threats through native platform hardening and strict adherence to zero trust methodologies. Nutanix achieves comprehensiveness in security and simplicity for the user by capitalizing on a hyperconverged infrastructure foundation.
With strong cloud web security in place and the support of a capable cloud provider at your back, you can proceed with confidence as you deploy data and apps anywhere and in any cloud.
Learn more about the potential cost savings of deploying security practices on hyperconverged infrastructure.
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