Article What every MSP should know about cloud security
By Insight UK / 16 Nov 2021 / Topics: Cloud
By Insight UK / 16 Nov 2021 / Topics: Cloud
IT security is a very complex topic we all have to deal with it. Cybercrime is big business. Hacker groups are constantly knocking at doors looking for a way to sneak in. As an MSP, it is your job to keep them out, but that is easier said than done.
Modern IT infrastructure consists of different layers that need to be secured: servers, network, devices, data, user accounts. Each layer is exposed to specific risks. There are all kinds of security solutions on the market to address these, but where do you start?
Moving your business to the cloud might be a good idea. At least you don’t have to worry about securing the physical servers and part of the network. But securing your environment and that of your customers remains a top priority.
In the cloud, risk responsibilities are shared. The cloud provider handles the security of the servers in the data centre and the network traffic. The rest is up to you. For instance, if you are setting up a VM in the cloud, it is not secure by default. You have to take measures to make it secure. That also applies to end-user devices and business data.
There are different preventive measures you can take to keep cybercriminals out of the door. Some examples:
The locks on the door of your virtual environment should be as solid as possible, but there is always a chance a hacker breaks through. The most tricky and dangerous security breaches leave no traces. They are hard to detect and can cause a lot of damage. The question is not if there will be an incident that gets unnoticed, but when it happens, so be prepared.
To keep your environment safe, you have to know what is going on: which connections are being made, which users are active, what are they doing, which data is going out, etc. Monitoring is far more complicated in a local environment than in the cloud since you need to use separate monitoring tools for different parts of your local infrastructure. These tools are not integrated, so it is very hard to detect patterns and security risks, let alone to act upon them.
The cloud offers centralized tools to monitor and manage different components in your cloud environment. This gives you more ammunition against intruders. If suspicious activity gets noticed in the network, the system can trace it back and take measures to minimize damage effectively.
As more MSPs enter the market, you will have to find ways to ensure maximum security for you and your customers. We at Insight have been working with partners like you across Europe for many years, providing valuable time, knowledge and support in many (hybrid) cloud scenarios.
Contact one of our cloud specialists to find out how we can support you in optimizing your cloud costs in line with your business goals, whether you are designing your first workloads in the cloud or work entirely cloud-based.
This article is part of a series of articles based on Microsoft’s WAF (Well-Architected Framework), where you find much more helpful guidance. WAF improves the quality of workloads operating in the cloud by focusing on a set of common architecture principles, including cost optimization, operational excellence, performance efficiency, reliability and security.
As a multi-vendor software licensing, workload and platform specialist, we can guide you through all stages of your strategic cloud journey with a series of workshops, assessments, services and best practices. From the first exploration of cloud or hybrid opportunities and benefits to support and optimization after migration. No matter where you are in your journey, we help you to find new ways forward and accelerate your business.
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