Cloud storage refers to a model of computer data storage in which the information is stored remotely, on logical pools (a storage resource that is managed and presented as a single system) and is only accessible to users via the Internet. The physical storage part includes several different servers, often situated in different locations, with the environment belonging to and being managed by a cloud computing provider. The storage providers are responsible for keeping the data both accessible and readily available, creating an environment that is secure, fully protected, and that runs in an adequate manner.
The architecture of a reliable business cloud network is incredibly complex, being well-equipped to defend your data against any kind of hacker attack. The use of end-to-end encryption guarantees that only the people who are given access can get on the network, so that not even the service providers themselves can view your files and documents. Solutions such as Proton Drive are ISO 27001 certified, meaning they meet global standards and are compliant with key regulations. Your private information, draft contracts, and critical documents will be in order and guarded by the highest confidentiality levels.
When talking about cybersecurity, most people focus on antivirus solutions and being aware of the dangers of phishing. Not many are aware of the potential cloud computing has for cybersecurity.
The benefits
Cloud storage’s most noteworthy advantage is that it fosters data encryption both before and after you send it, providing extra protection. There are many cloud storage security options out there, including multi-factor authentication and single sign-on. This means that confidential information stays that way and can only be accessed by the people who received the authorization to do so. Even if a device is stolen, the files will remain perfectly safe, and you won’t have to worry about the information being sold off.
Storing everything on a single server is also a very risky endeavor, so even if you don’t use cloud storage as a main system, you should still consider having it as a secondary space where you keep copies of the most important files at least. Having backup is essential in today’s business environment, since data breaches are so common and their effects can be so unbelievably destructive. If you have a copy of your documents stored on the cloud, you will no longer be at the whim of file servers, hardware failures, and technical glitches, all of which are entirely unpredictable and will leave you highly vulnerable.
Storing data on the cloud protects you from the influence of hackers and malware as well, being particularly important if you’re running a small or medium-sized enterprise. The tinier establishments are much more likely to be targeted by hackers, who view them as inadequately protected and, therefore, an easy target. Lastly, cloud storage is cost-effective, well-organized, and easily accessible for everyone to operate, features that make it a favorite among businesses from all over the world.
Identity as a perimeter
This feature is something that is unfortunately lacking from most data center environments. Firewalls and the classic moat and castle security models are still in place. The former refers to the barrier used to control and manage both outgoing and incoming network traffic based on predetermined security rules. The castle-and-moat is a zero-trust framework that eliminates implicit trust as it assumes that security hazards come from both inside and outside the network. The strong perimeter defenses are the eponymous moat, security measures operating at the boundaries of the network, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and stringent access controls.
Once inside the network (aka the castle), the number of security checkpoints is far reduced, though. All users still require the appropriate permissions, but the architecture is definitely much different. However, as cyberthreats become increasingly complex, bypassing these methods has become easier as well, which is why many business owners and IT specialists currently regard them as outdated and entirely obsolete. This has fueled the shift towards identity as the new perimeter.
When used to access corporate resources, only a specific user or device can gain entry. The way in which this works can be quite complex, as everything has to be taken care of through permissions, but it can also lead to much tighter security environments that won’t be so easy to exploit.
Going native
Many people expect to be able to use a technology without learning anything about it beforehand. That is, however, not realistic. You don’t need to be aware of the tooling, architecture, and the intricacies of the platform as well as a software engineer would be, but having a reasonably good grasp will help tremendously. This way, you can become aware of some blind spots that are actually very important for your business and which could cause a lot of trouble in the long term. You can’t customize things and come up with the best solutions for your company unless you’re aware of all the ways in which the system actually works.
In cloud-native ecosystems, the apps are deployed in infrastructure that abstracts the underlying storage, networking primitives, and compute.
Microservices and containers
Containers isolate an app and its dependencies into self-contained units that can be deployed anywhere. Hardware and operating systems are virtualized when they’re part of this environment, meaning that the same network can be shared with several other hosted applications. Microservices are a kind of architecture in which the applications are modularized and split between lightweight, independent services built for a single functionality case, then launched and upgraded independently. This means that all the other services in the application won’t be affected.
The microservices communicate and share information via a service mesh, which abstracts messaging between separate microservices in a specially designated architecture.
To summarize, cloud functionality has become increasingly important for the business ecosystem. If you learn how to use it to its fullest potential, you will see that it can operate as a cybersecurity feature as well, not just a storage one. To achieve this, you will have to become familiar with the features the cloud has to offer and figure out what the best solutions are for your company.
