Cloud environments represent new and expanded attack surfaces, and the sensitive data and high-value assets within cloud environments are highly attractive to cybercriminals. As a result, security teams are tasked with implementing multiple layers of security controls, technologies, and protocols to ensure the safety, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and infrastructure in the cloud. Initially, these technologies were implemented as on-premises hardware and software solutions in data centers, which required significant capital investments and ongoing costs related to monitoring, maintaining, and upgrading these technologies.

In recent years, cloud computing security services have emerged as a new model for implementing security controls, solving the security challenges of cloud by leveraging the cloud’s capacity for delivering on-demand technology. Cloud computing security services enable IT teams to quickly implement cloud security solutions while avoiding upfront investments, long lead times, and ongoing maintenance/upgrade responsibilities.

Cloud-based security services are available in three different deployment models.

• Cloud security services: The most straightforward of options, cloud security services are tools and technologies hosted in the cloud and offered as a service to users. These services are usually self-managed, meaning organizations are responsible for configuring, monitoring, and maintaining them. Typical cloud security services include data loss prevention (DLP) solutions, web application firewalls, encryption services, and IDS/IPS technology.
• Security as a service (SECaaS): In this model, security solutions are delivered as a cloud service and offered as a subscription. SECaaS providers are responsible for deploying, maintaining, and updating the technology. Common SECaaS offerings include antivirus/anti-malware, email security, identity and access management (IAM), web security, and SIEM.
• Managed cloud security services: This approach to cloud security involves comprehensive security solutions that are provided and managed by third-party vendors. In addition to providing tools and technologies, providers are responsible for ongoing management, monitoring, and support, relieving IT and security teams of operational burden. Common solutions include managed SIEM, managed endpoint protection, and comprehensive managed security.

Cloud security services include a complete range of security capabilities.

• Data encryption: Encrypts data at rest, in transit, and in cloud storage to protect sensitive information like customer data from unauthorized access, managed by third-party providers.
• Identity and access management (IAM): Controls user access to cloud resources using authentication and role-based access control, ensuring secure identity management.
• Firewall: Provides network security by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent unauthorized access, available as managed firewall services.
• Network segmentation: Divides the network into segments to limit the impact of security breaches and improve traffic control, offered as a managed service.
• Threat detection and response: Continuously monitors for security threats and provides rapid response to incidents, often utilizing advanced analytics and machine learning.
• Compliance management: Ensures adherence to industry regulations and standards like HIPAA and GDPR, offering tools and services to manage compliance requirements.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity: Provides backup and recovery solutions to ensure data and service availability during disruptions or cyberattacks.
• Continuous monitoring: Implements real-time monitoring and logging to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.
• Automated security assessment: Conducts regular automated scans and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security policies.
• Integration with DevOps processes for secure cloud deployments: Integrates security into the DevOps lifecycle to ensure secure application development and deployment.
• Intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS): Monitors network traffic for suspicious activities and provides automated responses to prevent intrusions.
• Security information and event management (SIEM): Collects, analyzes, and correlates security event data from various sources to detect and respond to threats.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification for access to cloud resources.
• Access control: Manages permissions and access to cloud resources based on user roles and policies, ensuring only authorized access.
• Cloud access security broker (CASB): Provides visibility and control over data and security policies across cloud services, acting as an intermediary between users and cloud providers.
• Cloud workload protection platform (CWPP): Offers comprehensive security for workloads running in the cloud, including vulnerability management and runtime protection.
• Cloud security posture management (CSPM): Continuously monitors cloud environments to ensure security configurations align with best practices and compliance standards.
• Encryption and key management services: Manages encryption keys and secures data through encryption services, ensuring data confidentiality.
• Vulnerability assessment and management: Identifies, prioritizes, and mitigates vulnerabilities in cloud environments through regular assessments and remediation actions.

Cloud computing security services can help organizations ‌mitigate the many cyberthreats, risks, and vulnerabilities related to cloud environments.

• Data breaches: Data breaches occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive data within a cloud environment. The consequences of a data breach can include the exposure, theft, or manipulation of confidential information, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences for organizations.
• Misconfigurations: Misconfigurations are incorrect or incomplete configurations of cloud resources, such as storage buckets or security groups. They can create vulnerabilities in a system and expose sensitive data to unauthorized access, due to unintentional errors or a lack of expertise, oversight, or inadequate security controls.
• Insider threats: Insider threats involve malicious actions or unintentional errors committed by individuals within an organization who have authorized access to cloud resources. These individuals, who may be employees, contractors, or partners, may misuse their privileges, leak confidential information, or sabotage systems.
• DDoS attacks: Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are malicious attempts to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic. These attacks can cause service outages, data loss, and financial damage to organizations.
• Phishing: Phishing attacks are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by disguising as a trustworthy entity. These attacks often target cloud users, tricking them into revealing their credentials or clicking on malicious links.
• Malware: Malware is malicious software designed to gain unauthorized access to or cause damage to a computer system. It can infiltrate cloud environments through various channels, such as infected files, compromised applications, or vulnerable infrastructure, leading to data theft, system disruption, and financial losses.
• Account hijacking: Account hijacking occurs when an attacker gains unauthorized access to and control of a user’s cloud account. This can be achieved through various methods, such as phishing, credential stuffing, or exploiting vulnerabilities. Once an attacker gains control, they can access sensitive data, manipulate settings, or launch further attacks.
• Insecure APIs: Insecure APIs are application programming interfaces (APIs) that are poorly designed, implemented, or secured, exposing cloud services and data to unauthorized access or manipulation. These APIs can be exploited by attackers to bypass security controls, steal data, or disrupt operations.
• Shadow IT: Shadow IT refers to the use of IT systems, devices, software, applications, and services without explicit organizational approval. This practice can introduce security risks to cloud environments, as unapproved resources may not adhere to security policies, lack proper monitoring, or contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Cloud computing security services offer many benefits that enable more effective security strategies and enhance the overall security posture of an organization.

• Scalability: Cloud security services can easily scale up or down based on the organization’s needs, accommodating growth and changes in demand without the need for significant capital investment in hardware and infrastructure.
• Cost-effectiveness: Cloud security services often operate on a subscription or pay-as-you-go model, reducing the upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses associated with on-premises solutions.
• Ease of management: Cloud security services are managed by third-party providers, relieving organizations of the burden of maintaining and updating security infrastructure across public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud deployments. Cloud security services also ensure access to the latest security features and updates.
• Rapid deployment: Implementing cloud security services can be faster than installing on-premises solutions, enabling organizations to quickly enhance their security posture without lengthy setup times.
• Advanced capabilities: Cloud security providers often offer cutting-edge technologies and expertise, including AI, machine learning, and automation for threat detection, which might be challenging and costly to replicate in-house.
• Global accessibility: Cloud security services provide consistent protection across all locations, enabling secure access and monitoring from anywhere in the world, which is particularly beneficial for distributed and remote workforces.
• Compliance and certifications: Many cloud security providers maintain compliance with specific industry standards and regulations, offering organizations a simpler path to meeting their own compliance requirements.
• Improved security posture: Continuous monitoring and threat detection enhance overall security, providing organizations with a stronger defense against potential threats.
• Enhanced data protection: Robust security measures protect sensitive data and cloud infrastructure, ensuring that critical information remains secure.
• Visibility: Improved visibility and control over cloud environments enable organizations to detect and respond to security incidents more effectively.
• Consistent security across multicloud and hybrid environments: Cloud security services ensure uniform protection and policies across various cloud and hybrid environments, reducing complexity and potential security gaps.
• Integration with DevOps practices for secure cloud deployments: Integrating security with DevOps practices ensures that security is embedded throughout the development and deployment process, resulting in more secure applications and systems.

Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence.