The cloud offers many advantages for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): cost savings, flexibility, and scalability. However, these benefits come with the responsibility of making sure your data is secure.
If your SMB is relying on cloud services (or are considering a move), you need to implement strong cloud security practices. This is crucial considering that cybercriminals love to target SMBs, many of which lack heavy-duty defenses. The following best practices can help you stay protected while making the most of the cloud.
Know your role in cloud security
When engaging a cloud provider for their services, SMBs make the common mistake of assuming that the provider is solely responsible for data security. Both parties are responsible for cloud security. Your provider secures the cloud infrastructure, while you secure your data, user access, and internal systems.
Implement multifactor authentication (MFA)
Strong passwords are still necessary, but you must have additional layers of protection. With MFA, users verify their identity with something they know (like a password) and something they have (like a smartphone or a token). This ensures that should your password be compromised, there’s another layer preventing unauthorized access.
Enforce the principle of least privilege
Your applications and files shouldn’t be accessible to all your employees. Limit employees’ access by applying the principle of least privilege: users should only be able to access the apps and files they need for their roles. Should an employee’s account be compromised, your whole system isn’t exposed. It also helps you maintain overall control of your data.
Encrypt data both in transit and at rest
Encryption is a highly effective way to keep your sensitive data safe. If someone gets access to your information, it’s useless to them without the encryption key. Keep your data encrypted both while it’s stored (at rest) and while it’s being transmitted across networks (in transit). Most cloud providers offer built-in encryption features; just make sure to enable and properly configure them.
Regularly back up your data
Your system can still be compromised through attacks, disasters, or accidents. So, it’s important to regularly back up your data. Better yet, automate the process so there’s no fear of forgetting to do so. Make sure to store backups in secure locations, whether off site or in the cloud.
Keep software and systems updated
Outdated software has vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to gain access to networks. Always update your cloud applications, operating systems, and antivirus programs. Enable automatic updates so you don’t have to worry about missing one.
Train your employees in cloud security awareness
Sadly, even the most advanced security measures cannot protect your system from human error. That’s why it’s essential to train your employees to recognize social engineering tactics, including phishing emails. Teach them to avoid unsafe behaviors such as clicking on suspicious links, using weak or reused passwords, downloading unapproved software, or sharing sensitive information over unsecured channels. And given how cyberthreats rapidly evolve, your staff needs regular training to stay alert and prepared.
Monitor and audit activity regularly
You need logging and monitoring tools to track who accesses what data and when. Aside from monitoring, you also need to conduct regular audits to detect unusual behavior (for example, a user downloading a large volume of data at an odd hour). Scrutinizing your system activities allows you to prevent potential breaches before they escalate.
Have a clear incident response plan
Even with comprehensive safeguards in place, your business can still experience a breach. How you respond can make a lot of difference in how you recover from it. A well-made incident response plan outlines the steps you need to contain the breach, notify the relevant stakeholders, conduct a thorough investigation, and recover from the incident. What’s more, you need to review and update the plan regularly to keep it effective.
Partner with a managed IT services provider (MSP)
For many SMBs, managing cloud security is a demanding additional task beyond running the business. That’s why it’s a smart move to partner with a local MSP like NetQuest. Our IT experts have extensive experience providing custom cloud solutions and cybersecurity services. Contact us today, so we can help you keep your business safe, compliant, and connected with a secure cloud environment.
