-
1. insufficient identity and authorisation management
- One of the core components of a functional cloud computing platform is identity and authorisation management, as this is essential for all access to services, applications and information. The main pillars of this system are authentication, authorisation of identities and the publication of attributes such as access rights. If misconfigurations or anomalies occur, there is a risk that identities could gain access to unauthorised information and, in the worst case, exfiltrate data. This also poses a significant risk if external parties gain access to the identities and can thus move freely through corporate resources and cloud infrastructure.
- The visibility, scope and management of identity-related information, data and authorisations in such an environment requires a comprehensive, flexible and secure Identity and Access Management (IDA). This should be secured by several protective measures in order to be able to check access effectively. There are various aids in the form of technologies such as multi-factor authentication, conditional access or behaviour-based user analyses. Here, all user behaviour is proactively monitored and automated messages are generated in the event of anomalies.
- With our Bechtle iam amira solution, we guarantee a rule-compliant and seamless linking of people and their accounts, mailboxes, resources, and access rights - throughout the entire life cycle of the objects.
Organisations are increasingly relying on cloud platforms such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud to run their business-critical applications and for their data and file management, as they advertise high security standards and various data centre certifications based on international standards. This gives the customer the impression that security is in good hands here. However, one must still be aware that the security of the company data as well as configurations of the services are still in the hands of the customer.
Although cloud service providers take on some security responsibilities, their customers still bear the responsibility for the security of end-user data, applications, operating systems, endpoints and network traffic. And just like on-premise applications, you need to monitor user and system activity to detect attacks. In addition, cloud platforms bring new security complications such as:
- Complex and often erroneous configuration of cloud-based security tools.
- DevOps processes that deploy application code daily or even hourly
- Attacks specifically targeted against cloud platforms
- Complex compliance requirements
-
3. lack of cloud security architecture and strategy
- The cloud, whether private cloud, public cloud or hybrid cloud, promises agility, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These are transformative attributes for any business: They make it possible to adapt to market changes through rapid service delivery and to make data-driven decisions. However, businesses can be prevented from using cloud resources without exposing themselves and their data to risk. With a cloud security architecture, businesses can take advantage of all the benefits that cloud products offer, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), while minimising risks and security vulnerabilities. Without cloud security architecture, the risks of cloud use can outweigh its potential benefits.
Cloud architecture describes the combination of technology components to build a cloud in which resources are bundled through virtualisation technology and shared in a network. Consistent application of cloud security measures can significantly reduce the risk of failures, data loss, DDoS attacks or unauthorised access. The concrete measures in each case consist of a combination of rules, processes and technical specifications to secure the entire cloud infrastructure and its applications.
Cloud computing service providers that ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability are prerequisites for the secure use of cloud resources. Companies need a cloud infrastructure that is characterised by high performance. At the same time, this infrastructure must be reliable and trustworthy. An effective cloud security architecture relies on cloud architects who know that a trustworthy foundation must be a top priority in the initial planning stages and cannot simply be added later. Security is not a commodity, but an essential component.
As a multi-cloud service provider, Bechtle also offers a variety of public cloud solutions in addition to its own-produced cloud services. This results from the close cooperation with leading cloud providers, which thus enables customers to choose from an even wider range of high-performance solutions. The use of Bechtle's cloud services is completely uncomplicated for customers thanks to fully automated procurement, provisioning and billing.