Cloud frameworks are transforming how we conduct business—with efficient communications, improved collaboration, streamlined operations, cutting-edge software and countless more benefits.
However, the increasing dependence on cloud services provides new opportunities for cybercriminals to infiltrate business networks. In response, most industries have adopted stringent cloud security compliance standards to ensure safety for businesses and their customers.
Understanding how to meet cloud security standards is vital for every business. Failure to comply can pave the way for cyberattacks and data breaches and result in fines, lawsuits and reputational damage. Let’s explore common cloud security regulations and what to consider when assessing your business’s compliance
Understand Cloud Security Standards & Regulations
Myriad industry regulations comprise cloud security compliance. Any or many of the following could apply to your business:
- Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires U.S. healthcare institutions to secure sensitive patient health information.
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) requires U.S. financial institutions to secure consumer privacy.
- Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) directs organizations on how to handle and secure E.U. consumer data.
- System & Organization Controls (SOC) 2 is a voluntary compliance standard that specifies how service organizations should manage customer data, including security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) directs organizations that process payment card information on how to secure cardholder data.
- Federal Risk & Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) standardizes guidelines for securing cloud products and services.
- Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) 18 audits service organizations for controls and internal processes.
Consider Cloud Security Compliance Factors
Every business has unique characteristics, processes, workflows and systems. Consider the following factors when evaluating cloud security compliance for third-party service providers:
- Data Storage—Will your business data be stored in the cloud or on-premises?
- Data Location—Where is the specific location of physical data storage devices?
- Infrastructure—What business data must be stored in private environments, and what can be stored in public ones?
- Asset Management—What is your plan for managing cloud assets?
- Data Protection—What data security services does your service provider offer?
- Role-based Security—Does your service provider offer role-based cybersecurity tools like Identity as a Service (IDaaS)?
- Data Encryption—Does your service provider leverage data encryption technology included in solutions such as Security as a Service (SECaaS)?
- Incident Response—Does your service provider offer business continuity solutions such as Backup as a Service (BaaS) and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)?
- Service Level Agreement (SLA)—What services is your business prevented from using to maintain provider SLAs?
- Cloud Compliance Certifications—Does your service provider offer certified cloud services?
- Audits—What audits must your business and service provider undergo?
- Compliance Reports—How do you access your service provider’s cloud compliance reports?
Simplify Cloud Security Compliance With Cox Business
Cox Business has a variety of compliant cloud solutions, like Infrastructure as a Service, Security as a Service, Backup as a Service, Disaster Recovery as a Service and Desktop as a Service, that we can tailor to your specific industry needs. We leverage secured, certified Tier 3 data centers that are powered by RapidScale and designed to help meet regulations for healthcare, finance, government, energy and other highly regulated industries. Plus, we can help simplify the auditing process, reduce time-consuming reporting and enhance cost efficiency.
