According to recent research by IBM, 40% of data breaches now occur in cloud environments. As more organizations embrace the cloud to achieve their digital transformation goals, this statistic is a stark reminder of the critical importance of cloud security. Akamai Connected Cloud, a highly distributed edge and cloud platform, offers a solution by bringing applications and experiences closer to users while keeping threats at bay. This powerful platform enables you to build, deliver, and secure your digital experiences with confidence.
In this blog, we will talk about how you can enhance cloud security with Akamai. Before that, let us just briefly understand what cloud security is all about.
What is Cloud Security?
Cloud security is a subset of the cybersecurity domain, and specifically refers to the discipline of securing cloud computing systems. The scope of this discipline includes keeping data safe and private across the extensive cloud infrastructure, and this would encompass applications and platforms of the client company.
Cloud security is something of a “mandatory protocol” offered by all major Cloud Service Provider (CSPs) to their clients regardless of the size of the business. It “majorly” helps build trust while making sure all critical company data is kept private and secure. When it comes to Akamai Connected Cloud, it uses the “power” of both cloud computing, and edge-based computing to give the customer a seamless, powerful, and secure user experience.
Most Obvious Security Threats to Cloud-based IT Infrastructure
As mentioned earlier, Cloud-based IT assets and associated infrastructure are always under high-levels of risk from hackers and cyber-criminals who are always on the “look-out” for loopholes within the existing cloud-based IT system which can be exploited to their advantage. Cloud security is all about preventing such scenarios from precipitating.
Some of the main security threats are as follows:
- Full-Fledged Cyber Attacks: The landscape of cyberthreats is constantly evolving, and with every passing day, cyber-criminals are coming up with more and more ingenious and sophisticated ways to breach existing cloud-networks and systems.
- Configuration Errors: All cloud applications and the associated security infrastructure can be configured in a manner to enhance security. But in many cases, it has been observed that security settings are mismanaged by “untrained hands” or not configured at all, making the cloud-based system more vulnerable.
- Account Takeover: By stealing credentials and impersonating existing users – cyber criminals can take over an account and steal both money and sensitive data. The stolen data are then sold over the “dark web” over lucrative amounts.
- Data Leaks: There are even cases wherein an in-house actor can accidentally or purposefully leak sensitive data or private customer information, in the latter cases – it is done with ulterior motives.
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: These are specifically carried out to bring down or crash systems, this is done by overloading or “flooding” the website or network with “artificially manufactured” user requests. This completely overwhelms the network, rendering it incapable of to respond to legitimate user requests. In certain cases, DoS attacks are used as “cover-fire” to distract the in-house cybersecurity teams from pursuing more deadly attacks to the website, system, or network.
- Application Program Interface (APIs): With the proliferation of APIs, it has become the new “breeding ground” for cyber-criminals to launch well planned and co-ordinated attacks on websites or networks. When left unprotected, APIs can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to a system or network.
Advantages of Cloud-based Security offered by Akamai Connected Cloud
Here are the distinct advantages that make Akamai Connected Cloud stand out:
- Identity and Access Management: Akamai has designed systems in a manner that leaves “little room” for unauthorized access to sensitive data. This is done with the help of strong identity and access controls; this is especially true with “multi-factor” authentication which makes it harder for nefarious elements from stealing credentials to access cloud assets.
- Continuous Monitoring: All Akamai client networks are continuously monitored; this is done to quickly identify any emerging security threats and to deploy remedial solutions.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP solutions are designed in a manner to inspect outgoing traffic from a network or website, so that inadvertent or malicious leaks of sensitive data can be prevented. For example: credit card information, financial data, and even intellectual property (IP).
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): This technology requires users and applications to authenticate each and every access to cloud assets, helping prevent data breaches at all times. Akamai Connected Cloud is equipped to offer this technology to offer this technology to all its customers.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM offers real-time monitoring and analysis of security events, these results can be in-turn used for security audits and to coordinate established compliance protocols.
- Firewall as Service (FWaaS): This is an on-demand service offered by Akamai Connected Cloud which replaces physical firewall appliances with cloud-based solutions that offer advanced firewall capabilities including DNS security, URL filtering, advanced threat prevention, intrusion prevention, and enhanced access controls.
- Threat Intelligence: Akamai due to its domain expertise in cloud-based cybersecurity has access to the latest in threat intelligence, this knowledge can help organizations to identify and defend against emerging security threats.
Akamai arguably offers the best cloud security among all the major CSPs in the world currently. Save up to 70% on your cloud bill with Akamai Connected Cloud from ZNetLive and unlock next-level efficiency and cloud security.
