Select the Right Cloud Provider for Your Business
Most businesses today are adopting to the latest technology of cloud computing and are switching to third-party cloud providers. These companies have realized the benefits of the cloud and how it far reduces their infrastructure costs and also provides them security and flexibility in the long run. Yet, many businesses are still in the dark in regard to issues relating to ownership of data, security in the cloud and cloud management in general. The cloud is yet looked upon with a certain level of distrust and companies are not very clear on how to choose the right cloud provider for their needs.
Below is a list of things you should think of, before selecting a third-party cloud provider for your business….
In order to be assured of security and quality control, you need to conduct an audit on your potential third-party cloud provider. It is very vital to ensure that your cloud provider guarantees a completely secure environment and functions within its own network, having its own independent infrastructure. Only such providers can ensure that no user can gain unauthorized access to another user’s data, without the latter’s explicit permission.
Also ensure that your service provider offers you the convenience of encrypting all your data that is stored in the cloud. This will help keep all your data extra secure while it is transmitted though the Internet.
Third-party cloud auditors perform controlled audits of cloud provider environments, testing them for security in the cloud environment, also reporting back to you about the status of the particular provider. Query your potential provider on the regularity of the penetration tests they undertake on their network and select one which gives the maximum importance to security.
Storing and maintaining data in the cloud is a rather complex process, involving several regulatory restrictions. The burden of maintaining and testing controls for each of these regulations can come on your IT department.
In order to avoid this situation, you need to choose a provider who understands the different regulatory requirements, privacy acts for each regulation and so on. Always ensure that your provider can meet the highest regulatory standards, so that your data can always be secure and safe with them.
It is also important that you understand the level of security responsibility that your provider is willing to take for your data. Those providers who offer the complete range of cloud services; including Iaas, SaaS and PaaS; would be willing to take on full responsibility for physical data, maintenance of processes and infrastructure, applications and technology, and security of data that your business stores in the cloud.
Certain other providers take only responsibility only up to the level of maintaining physical and environmental security. With such providers, your company would have to accept the rest of the responsibility. You will need to discuss this aspect, both with them and with your IT department. You can then make your final decision based on how much responsibility your IT department is willing to and capable of taking on.
Company data is always enormous in volume and hence, it is very important for you to know the exact location of your data in the cloud. Some providers do not offer a particular location to store your data in the cloud. While a few companies agree to this policy, it could become an issue if you need to urgently recover lost data.
Not storing data in a fixed location in the cloud can also pose a problem while trying to pass more severe security audits. In such cases, it would be necessary to know the exact location of data and the processes involved therein.
It is critical for your company that you assess your cloud provider on all of the above-mentioned aspects, before deciding on a provider of your choice. Perform a detailed background check on your potential provider and review the company for maintenance of security standards, compliance, technology, risk management, emergency response handling and so on. Rate your provider on each of these aspects, before making a final decision.
Conduct this evaluation process every once in a while. Remember, the ideal cloud provider is the one which keeps up with its own growth and constantly strives to improve and offer better services to its clients.
Make sure to understand all the above-mentioned aspects and choose your cloud provider with care, in order to maintain the highest security standards while in the cloud.
Below is a list of things you should think of, before selecting a third-party cloud provider for your business….
1. Cloud Provider Audit
In order to be assured of security and quality control, you need to conduct an audit on your potential third-party cloud provider. It is very vital to ensure that your cloud provider guarantees a completely secure environment and functions within its own network, having its own independent infrastructure. Only such providers can ensure that no user can gain unauthorized access to another user’s data, without the latter’s explicit permission.
Also ensure that your service provider offers you the convenience of encrypting all your data that is stored in the cloud. This will help keep all your data extra secure while it is transmitted though the Internet.
Third-party cloud auditors perform controlled audits of cloud provider environments, testing them for security in the cloud environment, also reporting back to you about the status of the particular provider. Query your potential provider on the regularity of the penetration tests they undertake on their network and select one which gives the maximum importance to security.
2. Regulatory Requirements
Storing and maintaining data in the cloud is a rather complex process, involving several regulatory restrictions. The burden of maintaining and testing controls for each of these regulations can come on your IT department.
In order to avoid this situation, you need to choose a provider who understands the different regulatory requirements, privacy acts for each regulation and so on. Always ensure that your provider can meet the highest regulatory standards, so that your data can always be secure and safe with them.
3. Security Responsibility
It is also important that you understand the level of security responsibility that your provider is willing to take for your data. Those providers who offer the complete range of cloud services; including Iaas, SaaS and PaaS; would be willing to take on full responsibility for physical data, maintenance of processes and infrastructure, applications and technology, and security of data that your business stores in the cloud.
Certain other providers take only responsibility only up to the level of maintaining physical and environmental security. With such providers, your company would have to accept the rest of the responsibility. You will need to discuss this aspect, both with them and with your IT department. You can then make your final decision based on how much responsibility your IT department is willing to and capable of taking on.
4. Location of Data in the Cloud
Company data is always enormous in volume and hence, it is very important for you to know the exact location of your data in the cloud. Some providers do not offer a particular location to store your data in the cloud. While a few companies agree to this policy, it could become an issue if you need to urgently recover lost data.
Not storing data in a fixed location in the cloud can also pose a problem while trying to pass more severe security audits. In such cases, it would be necessary to know the exact location of data and the processes involved therein.
5. Assessing Your Cloud Provider
It is critical for your company that you assess your cloud provider on all of the above-mentioned aspects, before deciding on a provider of your choice. Perform a detailed background check on your potential provider and review the company for maintenance of security standards, compliance, technology, risk management, emergency response handling and so on. Rate your provider on each of these aspects, before making a final decision.
Conduct this evaluation process every once in a while. Remember, the ideal cloud provider is the one which keeps up with its own growth and constantly strives to improve and offer better services to its clients.
Make sure to understand all the above-mentioned aspects and choose your cloud provider with care, in order to maintain the highest security standards while in the cloud.
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