What are the minimum security measures provided by a cloud service?
Cloud services, whatever their form (public, private or hybrid), provide a set of essential minimum security measures to protect their customers’ data, applications and infrastructures. These measures are designed to protect against threats and ensure compliance and effective information and risk management. Cloud service providers deploy these measures to guarantee security in cloud environments, taking into account both IT resources and the specific requirements of user companies. Here are the basic security measures typically put in place by cloud providers.
# Access control and identity management:
To control access to services and data in the cloud, providers implement access control and identity management mechanisms. These controls ensure that only authorised users can access resources, by applying strict security policies and using tools such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and rights and permissions management.
# Data encryption:
Data encryption, both at rest and in transit, is a fundamental security measure provided by cloud services. Encryption ensures the protection of sensitive company and user data, preventing unauthorised access and guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of information.
# Network security:
Cloud providers offer a variety of network security solutions to protect systems from external and internal threats. These solutions include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network segmentation to monitor and control network traffic, thereby securing the cloud environment.
# Threat monitoring and management:
Cloud service providers implement security monitoring tools and practices to quickly detect and respond to suspicious or malicious activity. Continuous monitoring and security analyses help to identify potential threats and ensure an appropriate response to incidents.
# Compliance and security standards:
Cloud services are committed to various security standards and regulations to ensure data protection. They are certified to recognised industry standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR, providing customers with a foundation of confidence in security and compliance.
# Secure infrastructure:
The infrastructure on which cloud services run is designed with security in mind. This includes the physical protection of data centres, the securing of servers and storage systems, and the application of security measures for the underlying hardware and software.
# Shared responsibility:
It is crucial to understand that security in the cloud operates on a shared responsibility model. The cloud provider is responsible for security “in” the cloud (infrastructure, computing, storage, network), while the customer is responsible for security “in” the cloud (data, applications, access).
These minimum security measures provided by a cloud service form the basis on which businesses can build and customise their own security according to their specific needs, adding additional controls and adapting the configuration to optimise the protection of their cloud resources.
Take cloud security a step further:
To go further in securing your personal data in the cloud, it is crucial to understand and implement a series of best practices and security measures. These actions aim to strengthen the protection of your information and IT resources in the cloud environment, taking into account the shared responsibilities between the cloud service provider and the enterprise customer. Here are the key points to consider when improving the security of your data in the cloud:
# Knowledge of Shared Responsibility Models:
– Shared Responsibility: Understand the shared responsibility model between your business and the cloud provider. While the provider is responsible for security “in” the cloud (infrastructure, computing, network), the enterprise is responsible for security “in” the cloud (data, applications).
# Data Encryption:
– Encryption: Use encryption to protect your data in transit and at rest. Ensure that only authorised people can access encrypted information using secure encryption keys.
# Identity and Access Management:
– Access controls: Implement strict identity and access management policies, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure access to cloud services and data. – Least Privilege Principles: Limit access rights to users according to their specific needs to reduce security risks.
# Network security:
– Network security: Implement firewalls, intrusion prevention systems and virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect your cloud environment from unauthorised access.
# Threat Monitoring and Management:
– Security Monitoring: Use threat monitoring and management tools to detect suspicious activity and respond quickly to security incidents.
# Backup and Recovery:
– Backup solutions: Make sure you have backup and recovery policies in place to quickly restore your data in the event of loss or attack.
# Security Policies and Compliance:
– Compliance: Ensure that your cloud security practices comply with applicable standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. – Security Policies: Develop and maintain clear IT security policies to manage the use and protection of data and cloud resources.
# Vendor Evaluation and Secure Configuration:
– Choice of provider: Select cloud providers that offer high levels of security and are transparent about their practices. – Secure Configuration: Configure cloud services according to security best practice, disabling unnecessary services and restricting access to resources.
# Training and awareness: – Security training: Regularly train users and administrators about security risks in the cloud and the practices they should adopt to mitigate them.
By following these guidelines, businesses can significantly improve the security of their data in the cloud, reducing risk and protecting their resources from threats in an ever-changing cyber security landscape.
What Murena has to offer:
Murena.io, Murena’s cloud-based digital workspace solution, is designed to provide users with privacy-focused cloud storage, as part of the wider ecosystem of Murena services and devices, which focus on privacy and independence from Google services. Here are some key points about Murena’s cloud services:
– Suite of Online Tools: Murena.io includes a powerful suite of online tools for creating, editing and sharing documents, spreadsheets and even presentation slides. These tools are compatible with MS Office formats, making it an attractive alternative to Google Docs or Office 365. The suite is powered by OnlyOffice, ensuring good compatibility and a viable alternative to traditional office suites.
– Cloud storage: Murena’s Cloud service offers 1GB of free storage to its users, with additional storage plans available at affordable rates, starting at €20 per year for 20GB of storage. This allows users to sync all their photos and videos from their device, as well as edit documents securely.
– Privacy and de-googling: Murena, known for its ‘de-googling’ efforts, offers an online ecosystem entirely free of Google services. This is particularly relevant for users concerned about the protection of their personal data and looking for more privacy-friendly alternatives.
– Accessibility and simplicity: Murena.io is designed to be easy to use, combining a personal email account, calendar, contacts, cloud storage, and an online office suite, all integrated into a single service. This integrated approach makes it easy to manage your data and online activities in a privacy-friendly environment.
In summary, Murena’s Cloud service is distinguished by its commitment to the privacy and security of its users’ data, offering a suite of productive online tools and cloud storage options in an ecosystem free from Google tracking. This solution is ideal for privacy-conscious individuals and businesses looking to minimise their reliance on traditional cloud services while benefiting from comprehensive, integrated functionality.