Cloud services have become new normal since that are being leveraged by a large majority of businesses. The increasing dependence of enterprises on cloud has also resulted in growing need to secure data from possibility of intrusion by hackers. It has become necessary to implement multiple security measures to protect mission critical data from intruders. 

Security as a roadblock in cloud adoption

Security is a significant hurdle for enterprise cloud adoption. In terms of percentage almost thirty percent entrepreneurs are skeptical about security of cloud adoption. Many companies are reluctant to move their business critical workloads to cloud and it is observed that IT departments exercise utmost caution in this regard while non-IT departments are not concerned about security risks of cloud solutions. 

This calls for a robust security policy by involving heads from all departments. This policy must not be a roadblock in cloud adoption. In fact the security policy must facilitate secure adoption of cloud solutions as per requirement of various departments. 

Many businesses are skeptical about cloud’s ability to manage operations without compromising data security. It takes a long time to develop confidence in every type of service that is associated with cloud. This is largely due to lack of control as well as transparency of cloud solutions. 

It is therefore hardy surprising that organizations try to adopt private cloud in order to gain better control and protection. However, private cloud adoption is not a highly appealing proposition due to the expensive nature of such solutions apart from complexities of operations. 

Established cloud service providers have understood gravity of this issue and tried to provide topmost security by combining multiple levels of protection and clarity of operations in order to maintain optimum visibility. 

Enterprises must be critical in their approach to select a right cloud provider because every cloud service differs in terms of security quotient. Service providers need to ensure seamless controls on cloud operations for enhanced security. 

Since no security arrangement can be full proof, clients should confirm presence of security arrangements throughout the entire cloud structure including baseline infrastructure, physical standards of security and provisions of control and access. 

Protecting the baseline infrastructure

It is important to note that a cloud infrastructure needs to be designed on the lines of conventional data center design that focuses on high availability, high performance, and seamless security. One should begin the process of ensuring security of cloud system by understanding how the baseline infrastructure is designed. Infrastructural security of cloud is achieved by allowing a robust database for every customer instance. 

It is also essential that vital components of cloud infrastructure such as load balancers, firewalls, switches, and routers are redundant for assured availability of their operations. Security of baseline infrastructures can be enhanced with help Intrusion Detection Systems and other reliable solutions that protect from DDoS. Such protection must be implemented at every location so that you are able to rapidly detect and deal with any suspicious activity. 

Ground level security

Although, the cloud services are offered via internet, these are essentially being operated from underlying network of servers and data centers. It is imperative to implement multiple security measures for protection of physical infrastructure of data centers. 

The security parameters of data centers must ensure round the clock security guards at purpose built buildings with seamless CCTV monitoring and stringent measures of access control including biometric scanners and so forth. 

Restricted entry

Entry into datacenter facility must be allowed to personnel with proper approval and authority. Access to network and server infrastructure must be monitored stringently via a protected Virtual Private Network. It must be noted that such access must be governed by multi factor authentication and use of onetime passwords. 

Access and authority to read and write must be granted to select few individuals as far as infrastructure devices are concerned. Operational security demands maintenance of audit logs associated with all login attempts into system as well as physical infrastructure. 

Optimizing enterprise cloud security

In spite of taking all necessary precautions, it is practically difficult to gain seamless protection in enterprise cloud. Standard operating procedures will be required to be put in place for dealing with security related issues. 

It is expected that a reliable cloud provider would be equipped with a well designed process for handling security related issues. These processes need to be tested frequently in order to make sure that t enterprise is well prepared to handle untoward incidents. These processes must not be carried out during processes that are mission critical. 

Protection of enterprise cloud can only be guaranteed with help of multi layered security arrangements. These include stringent operational controls, well protected physical infrastructure, and a secure cloud environment. 

Security must be a priority for everyone who is associated with cloud adoption including developers, system admins, network administrators and so forth. Enterprises can also fix accountability for every person.