Cloud security

Cloud security is essential for companies using cloud technology such as Azure and Microsoft 365. It provides far-reaching protection against the growing threats of cyberattacks and data breaches, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. Therefore, the question is not whether your company will fall victim to a hack or breach, for example, but when.

 

At a time when data and technology play a crucial role in business operations, a strong cloud security strategy ensures that your systems and data remain as secure as possible, regardless of where they are stored or processed.

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Challenges around IT security and cloud

Cloud has transformed the way organizations work, but it also brings unique challenges. The increased accessibility of data across multiple devices and locations increases the attack surface. In addition, managing security in hybrid cloud environments requires specialized knowledge and constant monitoring. In addition, companies must increasingly meet stringent regulatory and compliance requirements, which can be complex in a cloud environment.

The benefits of managed cloud security

Outsourcing the complexity of cloud security to an external, specialized party(Managed Services Provider) has several key advantages over managing the security of your cloud environment in-house.

  • Expertise from specialists: By outsourcing cloud security to a specialized partner, you have immediate access to in-depth cloud security knowledge and experience. Experts who are up-to-date on the latest threats and security solutions.
  • Access to advanced technology: Managed Cloud Security providers have access to the latest security technologies and tools that may be too expensive or complex to implement on their own.
  • Continuous monitoring and rapid response: A specialized partner provides 24/7 monitoring of your cloud environment, ensuring that threats are quickly detected and addressed. This minimizes the risk of security incidents and you can move quickly when needed.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Outsourcing cloud security can be cost-effective, as it avoids having to invest in expensive infrastructure and specialized personnel. You pay a fixed, monthly fee for the service.

Our managed cloud security support

At Valid, we take a comprehensive, integrated approach to Cloud Security as standard, starting with a detailed risk analysis and benchmarking based on proven standards (based on Center for Internet Security - CIS). We implement both basic and advanced security measures to suit your organization's needs.

In addition to technical measures, we also provide training and awareness for employees so that they are as aware as possible of the main risks and how to deal with them in the best possible way. Because as many as 82% of security incidents involve a human factor.

A strategic approach to IT security for cloud

Our integrated and proven effective approach to security for your Azure and Microsoft 365 environment consists of the following steps:

1. Benchmarks for Azure and Microsoft 365 environments.

Azure benchmarks

  • Account Management: Configure Azure AD to enforce strong password policies and set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users.
  • Network Configuration: Set up network security groups (NSGs) to filter traffic and restrict access to critical resources by allowing only necessary ports and IP addresses.
  • Logging and Monitoring: Activate Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to keep detailed logs and set alerts for suspicious activity.
  • Encryption: We ensure that data is encrypted at rest and in transit. We set up Azure Key Vault for managing encryption keys.
  • Security Policy: Using Azure Policy to enforce security standards and detect and correct policy deviations automatically.
Microsoft 365 benchmarks
  • Security Settings: Configure security settings for Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business and Teams according to CIS recommendations.
  • Data protection: We use Office 365 Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to prevent sensitive information from being sent to unauthorized individuals.
  • Access Management: Implement Conditional Access Policies to restrict access to Microsoft 365 services based on location, device and risk level.
  • Audit Logs: We use Unified Audit Logging in to record and monitor all activity within Microsoft 365.
  • Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): activate Microsoft Defender for Office 365 for protection against phishing, malware and other advanced threats
2. Regular evaluation and audits.
  • Periodic reviews: Cloud Security is an iterative and ongoing process. We conduct regular reviews and audits of your Azure and Microsoft 365 environments based on CIS benchmarks to ensure all recommendations are properly implemented and maintained.
  • Vulnerability assessments: We use tools such as Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management to identify and address vulnerabilities in your cloud environments.
3. Training and awareness
  • User Training: We ensure that all users receive regular training on security awareness, phishing attacks and password management best practices.
  • Team Training: We provide specialized training to IT and security teams on implementing and maintaining CIS benchmarks in Azure and Microsoft 365.
4. Automation and orchestration
  • Automate security tasks: We use Azure Automation and PowerShell scripts to automate routine security tasks, such as applying security patches and configuration management.
  • Orchestration: We implement Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) solutions to quickly detect, investigate, and respond to security incidents.
5. Use of Azure Security Center and Microsoft Secure Score.
  • Azure Security Center: We deploy Azure Security Center to provide a centralized view of the security status of your Azure resources. This provides recommendations and automatic corrective actions based on best practices.
  • Microsoft Secure Score: We implement Microsoft Secure Score to evaluate and improve the security status of your Microsoft 365 environment. In addition, we follow up on recommendations provided by Secure Score to address weaknesses.
6. Incident response planning
  • Incident response plan: We jointly develop and maintain an incident response plan specifically for cloud-based systems. We ensure that your plan includes procedures for detection, notification, investigation and remediation of security incidents.
  • Simulation Exercises: We regularly conduct simulation exercises (e.g., MAST) to test and improve your incident response plan.

Cloud Security Benchmark

The cloud offers many advantages such as scalability, flexibility and mobility. At the same time, cloud computing makes organizations vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which are therefore increasingly common and successful. High time to increase your resilience and turn threat into opportunity. Do you know the status of your cloud security? Where do you score well, where is there room for improvement?

The Cloud Security Benchmark is a cost-effective way to find the answers to these questions. The benchmark helps identify vulnerabilities and provides insights to fix them.

So it is an objective method of assessing your security status, mitigating risk and laying a solid foundation for an effective security strategy. You get a grip on security and that gives peace of mind because you can trust your IT systems.

Vault security

Sound complex? Leave cloud security to a specialist!

Cloud Security is a complex issue, and as threats increase and dependence on technology grows, it will only become more complex. It is therefore advisable to outsource Cloud Security to an experienced specialist, such as your Managed Services provider. Engage extensively to discuss risks and measures so that you can best prepare and arm your organization against threats.

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