VORCIS Blog

The Cloud has emerged as a go-to infrastructure for businesses seeking to streamline their IT operations, reduce costs, and gain greater agility over the way they operate. With the emergence of the cloud, companies across industries have started to embrace cloud data migration and application modernisation journeys.

The movement toward cloud computing has many benefits, such as creating a more collaborative and efficient work environment. However, it does not come without its set of risks. Today’s organisations need to ensure that their data remains secure and confidential and that they can manage the proliferation of cloud-based services effectively. In this article, Vorcis Cybersecurity Director Wissam Hassan explores the risks and recommends the appropriate steps to mitigate them.

Challenges in Securing Cloud Data

We find that clients face several challenges when securing their data in the cloud. Firstly, it’s challenging to maintain visibility and control over data as it’s stored in third-party cloud environments. Secondly, clients must ensure that their data is secure throughout its lifecycle and meets regulatory compliance requirements for data security and privacy. Ensuring the safety of sensitive data stored in the cloud while making it accessible for authorised users is critical.

Main Cybersecurity Risks That Accompany Cloud Data Migration Journeys

Cloud data migration journeys also come with several cybersecurity risks. The main cybersecurity risks include unauthorised data access, data loss or theft, and data breaches. With more businesses relying on cloud-based applications, it can be challenging to identify and secure personal data from cyber attacks. Malware attacks, phishing scams, and other cyber threats are also prevalent in cloud environments.

Reducing Risk in Cloud Transformation

Cloud transformation can present a significant business value, it can enable an organisation to increase productivity, agility, and innovation. However, it can also introduce risks into an organisation. Organisations must balance the potential benefits with the risks of cloud adoption to achieve business growth. Reducing risk in cloud transformation is an ongoing process as the threats and challenges continue to evolve with the cloud technologies.

We have identified the 5 central ways to reduce the risks in cloud transformation:

1. Develop a comprehensive cloud governance framework:A comprehensive cloud governance framework should be in place to ensure that all parties involved in the cloud transformation understand their roles, responsibilities and expectations. It should include factors such as data protection regulations, risk management, data privacy policies and cloud architecture standards.

2. Adopt a cloud security strategy:Security should be a critical focus area from the outset of cloud adoption. A robust cloud security strategy should help the organisation to identify, assess, and manage risk in real-time.

3. Conduct a thorough risk assessment:A thorough risk assessment will identify potential cloud adoption risks and provide recommendations to mitigate them. This should be used in conjunction with an organisation’s risk management framework to create a risk mitigation plan to prioritise risk response planning and show how each risk will be lowered.

4. Choose the right cloud provider:When selecting a cloud provider, it’s essential to thoroughly evaluate their capabilities, including areas such as platform security, continuity planning, and compliance status. Additionally, it is crucial to verify if the region you intend to deploy in offers the necessary features required for your specific needs, particularly considering the challenges often faced in the Middle East. Take into account the provider’s roadmap to assess their future development plans and ensure their alignment with your long-term goals. Furthermore, consider the costs associated with running third-party security solutions, such as the option to Bring Your Own License (BYOL), as part of your decision-making process. It is imperative to choose a provider that can offer the required level of access and control over your data to effectively address your unique challenges and provide suitable solutions.

5. Train employees in cloud security:One of the greatest vulnerabilities of cloud security is human error. To reduce the chances of human error, it’s essential to ensure that employees receive proper training and education on data security, cyber threats, and their role in cloud service management.

How Can We Help?

At Vorcis, our team of cloud security experts has extensive experience securing cloud-based infrastructure and services. Our cloud data security consultancy services provide our clients with a range of solutions to help mitigate risks and protect their data in a cloud-based environment. Our tailored services and solutions include, but are not limited to:

1. Cloud Security Assessments:We offer a comprehensive assessment of our client’s cloud infrastructure. Our cloud security experts identify potential vulnerabilities, security gaps and other risks to the cloud infrastructure. Based on the assessment, we provide recommendations to improve cloud security, reduce risks, and address compliance requirements.

2. Cloud Security Strategy:We help our clients develop a cloud security strategy that best suits their business needs. Our cloud security experts work with clients to define security policies, governance frameworks, and risk management strategies to protect data in the cloud.

3. Cloud Security Architecture:We assist clients in designing a secure cloud architecture that aligns with their business objectives. Our cloud security experts identify the optimal cloud deployment model and design security controls to ensure that the environment is secure and compliant with regulations.

With the increasing role of cloud technology in businesses, it has become crucial for companies to manage and mitigate cloud-related risks to ensure long-lasting success and competitiveness. Contact Vorcis today to handle cloud risks and realize the full potential of cloud technology for your organisation. Don’t let the risks hold you back from achieving business growth and agility with cloud transformation. Take action now and reap the benefits of cloud technology.

This article was authored by Wissam Hassan, Vorcis Cybersecurity Director. Contact Wissam at [email protected]