Cloud Security: How It Works + 5 Essential Strategies to Safeguard Your Business

Moving to the cloud has completely transformed how companies operate and become the core of our interactions. However, this shift also brings significant cloud security challenges. As more organizations transition to cloud environments, cybercriminals continually find new vulnerabilities to exploit, putting our data, operational continuity, and company reputation at risk.  

Is your business really protected in the cloud? Security breaches have become more sophisticated and diverse, often managing to evade organizations’ protection efforts. In this blog, we’ll explore how cloud security works, the top risks, and the most effective strategies to protect your business. 

What is cloud security? 

82% of data breaches involve information stored in the cloud. (IBM)

Cloud security is a set of practices and technologies designed to protect digital assets stored on cloud computing platforms. This includes the protection of data, applications, infrastructure, and access. 

Today, with the rise of cloud services, businesses have found new ways to work, store information, and connect with their customers. But this advancement has also led to more concerns and doubts about cloud security, as the lack of adequate measures can translate into data breaches, operational disruptions, and financial risks.  

Having a clear understanding of your operations in the digital world and how to apply appropriate cybersecurity measures will allow you to protect your company in a better way, grow without worries, advance to advanced digital solutions and protect the integrity of your customers. 

How does cybersecurity work in the cloud? 

Cloud security operates under a shared responsibility model. This means that both the cloud service provider and your company are responsible for ensuring the security of the cloud infrastructure, including data protection, access control, and the correct configuration of services. 

Did you know that, according to Gartner studies, 99% of cloud security failures are caused by user errors, not vendor errors? Therefore, understanding cybersecurity compliance is crucial to avoid surprises related to shared responsibility. According to Microsoft, this responsibility varies depending on the cloud service model: 

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 

The provider manages the servers, storage, and networking, but the customer must protect the operating systems, applications, and data. 

• Platform as a Service (PaaS) 

The vendor also protects the middleware and development environments, while the customer must take care of the security of their applications and data. 

• Software as a Service (SaaS) 

The provider manages almost all of the infrastructure and software, but the customer must protect their data, access, and devices. 

In short, the role of the supplier and the client’s internal management is important. Depending on the model, you will be able to better understand what role you play in cybersecurity responsibility. 

Cloud Security Challenges 

• Lack of visibility and control 

Lack of cloud visibility refers to an organization’s difficulty in effectively monitoring and managing its resources, activities, and data in cloud computing environments. “It’s easy to lose track of how your data is accessed and who is using it, as many cloud services are accessed outside of corporate networks and through third parties.” IBM 

Since many interactions occur outside of corporate networks and through third parties, the trail of who is accessing the data is lost. Larger companies operating in multiple geographies, face this challenge even more. Without the right tools to audit and track these environments, it’s difficult to have a complete, real-time view of the resources used. 

• Compliance 

Companies implementing multicloud strategies or using public and private clouds may face challenges in complying with various regulations. Both the provider and the company must establish legal regulations for the handling of sensitive data and privacy protection, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001, which require strict security controls. 

• Shadow IT 

According to IBM, “Shadow IT is any software, hardware, or information technology (IT) resource employed on an enterprise network without the approval, knowledge, or oversight of the IT department.” 

This problem has increased with the ease of access to solutions on the internet, as employees can turn to unapproved tools such as video conferencing apps or file storage, thus exposing the security of sensitive data. 

• Configuration errors 

Many cloud data breaches stem from fundamental errors, such as misconfigurations that occur during deployment or resource management. These issues include poorly defined permissions, unauthorized access, and insufficient monitoring. Establishing a secure environment is crucial to preventing unauthorized access and safeguarding sensitive data. 

• Complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments 

The use of hybrid and multi-cloud environments offers flexibility by combining public, private, and on-premises cloud resources, allowing enterprises to avoid vendor lock-in and comply with local regulations by managing certain data internally. 

However, this diversity makes it difficult to maintain a uniform security policy, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities and making it difficult to transfer data securely between different environments. 

Cloud Security Strategies to Protect Your Business in the Cloud 

Cloud security is an ongoing effort that requires constant attention and adaptation to evolving threats. By implementing robust strategies and fostering a culture of security across the organization, you can protect your assets and reduce the risks associated with using cloud computing technologies.  

In general, it is essential to first establish a secure environment for your operations, educate and raise awareness among staff about the importance of cybersecurity, and maintain clear policies that are shared with all stakeholders. However, operating in the cloud introduces new challenges and can create complex environments, which is why here are 5 strategies to strengthen your company’s cybersecurity in cloud environments: 

• Perform encrypted and out-of-cloud backups 

Studies indicate that 45% of data breaches occur in the cloud, and 82% of those incidents compromise information stored in the cloud. To ensure the protection of your data, it is essential to have external and encrypted backups, which prevents critical losses. This strategy is highly effective in ensuring recovery from unexpected attacks or failures, as no business is safe from cyberattacks or natural disasters. Therefore, having secure backups is positioned as an essential measure. 

• Encrypt your data  

Encryption is a highly effective method of safeguarding information against unauthorized access. Encryption both in transit and at rest ensures that data remains unintelligible to third parties in the event of interception or leakage.  

End-to-end encryption safeguards information both during transmission and while it is stored, effectively blocking unauthorized access. By using securely managed encryption keys, the data remains unreadable even if a breach occurs. Implementing end-to-end encryption solutions enhances information security by providing an extra layer of protection against potential vulnerabilities 

• Implement identity and access management (IAM) 

Identity and Access Management (IAM) is key to controlling who can access which cloud resources. Implementing an IAM solution allows you to set role-based access policies, ensuring that only authorized employees can access sensitive data, information, or applications. 

•  Compliance and governance 

Regulatory compliance and proper governance are essential in any cybersecurity strategy. Make sure your security policies and practices align with relevant regulations based on the nature of your business. It is important to constantly evaluate cloud service providers to confirm that they meet the required standards and define clear policies that guide information protection. 

• Conduct regular security audits 

Regular security audits and penetration tests help identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in your technology infrastructure, improving your preparedness for actual threats. These practices not only uncover critical weaknesses but also highlight blind spots in your cybersecurity systems before they lead to risk scenarios. In fact, according to a recent study, 90% of organizations experience irreversible damage before containing an incident. 

The implementation of penetration tests and attack simulations not only strengthens the defensive posture, but also provides useful information to adjust protocols, strategies or tactics.  

Conclusion

Cloud security is essential for business continuity and success. As organizations adopt new technologies, their security strategies must evolve to stay ahead of emerging threats.  

Although talking about cybersecurity in the cloud does not mean that this is an insecure space, companies must assume responsibility for their operations in this digital environment. By implementing measures such as data encryption, offsite backups, access protection, and proactive monitoring, the cloud becomes a strategic ally rather than a source of concern.  

Investing in solid protection not only safeguards data and operations but also enhances customer trust, improves your company’s reputation, and enables you to scale more securely with new digital tools and solutions.