How to Keep Your Cloud Technologies Secure
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Set Loss Prevention Protocols
Monitor and manage third-party relationships with specific loss prevention protocols.
Like most organizations, you are probably reliant on third-party vendors and business partners, who help to supply a service or product offering, or simply take on a process that your organization benefits from outsourcing. Since the core principle is that the originating organization is responsible for all data collected, you must follow specific safety protocols when working with other partners. It's vital that your business partners understand your expectations in regards to data protection, security operations and protocols.
Begin by vetting and selecting your partners and vendors carefully – it's tempting to partner with the vendor who comes in at the lowest bid, but you'll want to consider track records and expertise just as much as cost. Take additional steps to ensure you're managing risk that's naturally prone to occur as you expand your circle of operations – and CIOs, take note! Two-thirds of information loss occurs through third-party channels, so limit access to your network to only those entities who require it, and don't stop there. Identify and put parameters in place to safeguard your network and assets.
The jury is no longer out about the cloud. What was once regarded as a misunderstood buzzword about our increased reliance on the Internet, is now a critical puzzle piece for any successful and innovative 2015 enterprise business strategy. According to a recent survey, software-as-a-service adoption in organizations has more than quintupled, moving from just 13 percent to an astounding 72 percent in 2014 alone. While adoption and implementation is rapidly increasing, there are important practices and truths every organization should keep in mind in order to make the most out of their cloud strategy and, most importantly, keep their cloud technologies secure.
Before we begin, it's essential to remember a core governing principle; despite what many may believe, your data always remains your data. Sure, another organization may be tapped to host your data, but regulatory guidance regarding data ownership and protection is increasingly clear across the board: the roles and responsibilities for protecting and managing your data remain with the originating enterprise, regardless of other entities, which may be contracted into a business partnership. Therefore, it's important to assess the risks to your data, including the probability of a breach or the impact of a loss. Just because a loss event hasn't happened yet doesn't mean you have immunity; no organization does.
Based on his experience and conversations with industry peers and experts, MetricStream's David Williamson has identified five tips that can help you keep your organizations' cloud technologies secure.
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