In a Nutshell

Cloud security includes measures to protect cloud-based infrastructures, programs and data.
Companies are increasingly relying on cloud computing, which brings with it new security requirements, including data loss and security breaches.
Different types of cloud services such as public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud solutions offer different models for companies.
Benefits of cloud security include protection of sensitive data, compliance, scalability and business continuity.
Challenges such as the scale and complexity of the cloud, insider risks and attacks require best practices such as native encryption and regular backups.

What is Cloud Security?

The term cloud security covers all measures aimed at protecting infrastructures, programs and data based on cloud solutions. These protective measures include technical solutions as well as general guidelines and specifications that regulate the use and handling of cloud computing applications.

The principle here is that both the cloud providers and the users or their customers are jointly responsible for taking suitable cloud security measures and thus averting common risk scenarios from cloud environments. To successfully implement a holistic cloud security strategy, providers and users must work together to cover all areas.

Why is Cloud Security Important?

The majority of companies today already rely on cloud computing solutions in one form or another. However, as soon as companies start using the benefits of the cloud, they also need to consider the potential risks. Because as intuitive, flexible and easily scalable as cloud solutions are, the quality of any cloud environment depends on how well it can guarantee the protection of data.

Data loss, data theft or general security breaches represent significant risks and cost factors for companies. If business-critical data is lost or unauthorized third parties gain access to user data, this can have expensive consequences. These range from time-consuming problem solving to fines for violating the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

For this reason, the professional integration of a cloud security concept must be consistently considered from the outset when using cloud solutions. This gives companies the chance to really exploit the full potential of cloud computing and know that their data is safe.

Cloud Computing - Important Types of Cloud Services

In order to understand how the principle of cloud security is applied in practice, it is important to first gain an overview of the types of cloud computing solutions used by companies today.

Public Cloud
A cloud solution from a third-party provider that companies can use on a non-exclusive basis for a fee. Well-known examples include the common Microsoft services.
Private Cloud
A company's own cloud solution that is used exclusively. Often used in conjunction with a company's own server infrastructure. Offers companies the benefits of the cloud combined with complete control over the systems.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud solutions are a combination of public and private clouds. They are particularly interesting for companies with a high need for fast scalability that do not want to compromise on data security.
Multi-Cloud
A cloud solution in which several cloud infrastructures are used at the same time. These can be pure third-party products or a combination of public and private clouds.

In addition to the above types of cloud solutions, companies can use the following services from specialized providers:

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
The provider makes a virtualized infrastructure available. This can be used by companies to outsource the management of the actual IT infrastructure (servers/hardware etc.) to third-party providers. This virtualized and externally managed infrastructure makes it possible to work with locally managed operating systems, applications and other data.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Providers set up their own virtual environment for companies in the style of a “sandbox”. At this point, the management of runtime, middleware & co. are also part of the cloud service. Companies can use this framework to provide their own applications and develop them further as required in an easily scalable environment.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Providers of software-as-a-service services make these available in the form of a cloud solution. As a rule, these are hosted and managed purely on the server side. Companies usually use the software as a subscription or, depending on the application, also as freeware and run it on the client side. The applications are thus used as and when required.

All of these cloud computing scenarios are in use across all industries today. Different approaches necessarily require individual solutions to ensure a consistently high level of cloud security. We are happy to offer our customers appropriate advice on all aspects of their IT, from needs-based software-as-a-service solutions to professional virtualization of the entire IT infrastructure. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Advantages of Cloud Security

If key aspects of cloud security are already considered when setting up a cloud environment, this usually brings a wealth of benefits for companies. These include the following points:

Protection of Sensitive Data
A cloud security solution that is tailored to the requirements and systems of customers can help to detect and prevent attacks on their own cloud infrastructure at an early stage and thus prevent damage. Ideally, company-critical data in particular is so well protected that it is not exposed to any risk in the event of a “simple” attack on IT.
Meeting Compliance Requirements
Strict specifications for access, the restrictive allocation of access authorizations (zero trust) and the consistent encryption of data are important components within a holistic strategy for securing a cloud. At the same time, they provide an ideal basis for implementing even the highest data protection requirements without major effort.
High Scalability & Fast Updates
Successfully integrated cloud security solutions can generally be retained and expanded without difficulty. The basic framework remains in place and may need to be adapted at a detailed level. However, these adaptations can be made available to all relevant users via the cloud with virtually no delay.
Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery
In the event of serious security incidents (natural disasters / coordinated hacker attacks), redundant cloud environments allow business operations to continue (almost) without interruption and without significant restrictions.

The strengths of modern cloud security concepts lie primarily in prevention. The aim is to anticipate and avoid risks, minimize potential damage and ensure the functionality of business-critical systems / applications. With our GFOS knownCloud, customers can directly access a flexible and secure cloud solution and benefit from these advantages - we would be happy to advise you individually.

Security Risks for Cloud Computing Systems - Key Challenges

When integrating cloud solutions - no matter to what extent - companies have to deal with a variety of possible risk scenarios. These can be caused both negligently and deliberately. However, they always represent key challenges when it comes to cloud security:

Scope & Complexity of the Cloud
A cloud solution offers completely new opportunities for employees and authorized third parties to interact with applications, data and other internal company resources. At the same time, this means that companies are confronted with a constantly growing number of accesses and traffic. Large cloud structures are potentially interesting targets for criminals. This is especially true where cloud structures may overlap (hybrid clouds).
Hardware & Software
If employees access the company's internal cloud via non-company clients, this can pose a significant risk to the data and applications in the environment. If “shadow IT” is used on a large scale without clear standards and guidelines being set by the company, this can have expensive consequences. The protection of access points must be given high priority in the interests of cloud security.
Insider Risks
Employees who have access to a large number of areas and data within a cloud environment always represent a potential risk. Users can deliberately steal data or inadvertently corrupt it. If access authorizations are assigned very freely, this can entail considerable risks in the long term. Similar problems arise if, for example, standard password configurations are retained.
Attacks on IT
Targeted attacks on the cloud, for example in the form of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, have the potential to significantly impair the functions of cloud environments or temporarily paralyze them completely. This restriction of use can result in considerable costs for companies. This risk scenario also includes similar attacks via malware or phishing attempts.
Compliance & Data Protection
Incorrect system configurations or inconsistent encryption of user data can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive company and/or customer data. In the worst case scenario, this not only leads to a loss of trust on the part of customers and business partners, but can also have legal consequences in addition to negative press. This applies, for example, to breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation.

How does Cloud Security Work - Best Practices for more Security

Companies can make an important contribution to securing the cloud against internal and external risks. The following best practices must be observed:

Native Encryption
Business-critical data in particular should not only be encrypted during transmission from or to the cloud, but also during storage. This represents a further security measure in the event that cyber criminals gain access to the cloud. This means that sensitive data records cannot be viewed immediately.
Zero Trust / IAM
The zero trust approach is based on the idea that all access (to the cloud, for example) is initially considered untrustworthy until the user or client has proven otherwise. In conjunction with granular identity and access management solutions (IAM) and suitable concepts for multi-factor authentication (MFA), access to applications and data within the cloud is restricted to a sensible minimum.
Regular Backups
Creating regular backups ensures that lost data can be restored quickly. This applies both to accidental / targeted deletions and to the organized theft of data records. Backups are stored away from the cloud.
Training to Raise Awareness
Incorrect or improper interactions with the cloud or company IT can lead to significant security gaps. By addressing the most common scenarios and risks as part of training, the likelihood of security breaches or data leaks resulting from pure negligence is reduced.

Cloud Security & GFOS – How We Support Customers

With our GFOS knownCloud, we offer a highly available, ISO-certified and secure cloud solution that is specifically tailored to the requirements of companies. With a clear focus on fast provisioning, simple scalability and cloud security, we offer customers a simple and convenient way to take advantage of the opportunities offered by cloud computing for their company.

We would be happy to advise you on individual solutions in the area of cloud hosting, IT infrastructure and beyond - just get in touch!