In order to successfully build or migrate to cloud technologies, incorporating security into the process early on is essential. Whether you are just starting to move key services to the cloud or launching a new cloud-native project, involving security specialists with a deep understanding of cloud security is crucial for a secure and robust system.
Understanding the cloud shared responsibility model is important for technology leaders, as different cloud service providers have elements of services that they are responsible for monitoring and protecting. It is recommended to move away from bare metal and utilize highly virtualized and containerized services like AWS’s Fargate and Lambda, Google’s Cloud Run and Cloud Functions, or Microsoft’s Azure Containers and Azure Functions.
Investing in a code pipeline using a Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) model can help ensure service, security, and code quality standards are met. Managed cloud services like Lambdas and container systems can offload some of the security monitoring and management responsibilities to the CSP, reducing the need for internal resources.
Performing a security risk assessment of your cloud infrastructure is crucial for organizations heavily invested in cloud environments. Focus areas include Identity and Access Management, Virtual Machines and Endpoints, Internet-Accessible Security Posture, Logging, and Backup and Restoration. Monitoring and reporting on these key areas at the executive level can help mitigate cyber security risks within the organization.
Elliott Wilkes, CTO at Advanced Cyber Defence Systems, emphasizes the importance of incorporating cyber security risk management into the overall strategy of the organization, involving both the technical team and the board of directors. Wilkes brings over a decade of experience in digital transformation and cyber security consulting to his role.