Cloud Compliance Strategy is Crucial for Cloud Adoption
Posted by AdamChriss on July 15th, 2014
Historically, cloud computing and storage has been approached with cautionary hesitance, mainly due to the fact information is not actually stored within and not outside the company’s borders, as it is hosted off premise. Thus to many, it seems as if the information could be easily accessed by threats. Furthermore, forward thinking technology adopters have also been redirected due to complicated regulation issues, where compliance is a critical must. However, nowadays, opinions on cloud computing and storage have changed drastically. Cloud services and storage providers have come to adopt security and cloud compliance measures in order to attract customers and strengthen their value proposition.
According to Paolo Brown, a senior research analyst at Greensborough Partners, “When dealing with topics related to data protection, cloud service provider security isn’t enough. There’s a high chance there are still hidden threats and vulnerabilities in your cloud. So, its very important to consider data privacy and protection services, to ensure optimum peace of mind”.
Laura Cloro, a junior analyst, at the Beale Group, states that, “Its important to bolster one’s cloud via a multitude of security layers, such as data encryption, access management controls, and data loss prevention.”Cloro also states “nowadays, cloud service and storage providers have improved catering to customer concerns and priorities, but you still have to find those few, complete solutions. Industry-wide, it’s not a majority-adopted trend. Cloro says, “Beyond security service adoption, companies will need to convey the additional value proposition of security to their target market customers”. While early adopters will test and try new services, its found that most companies don’t take the extra steps to adopt a new technology until it has been certified significantly useful by social proof and testimonials.
Ed Anderson, research vice president at Garter, states that while the most prevalent regulations, such as PCI and HIPAA, are indeed the most well-sustained in the cloud, this might be true for some enterprises and industries. “HIPAA is one that’s mainstream now, but if you worked in a smaller industry, you may have trouble finding that similar sort of support for your compliance requirements,” he says.
Some common trends found in modern cloud compliance regulations include the following: Firstly, assuring that customer and client information is sufficiently secured, as so to block off any form of outside unauthorized accessibility. Secondly, customers and clients should be notified regarding the utilization of cloud storage to handle their data, and should be appropriately and swiftly notified if their data has been tampered with. Thirdly, all enterprises should maintain responsibility for their clients’ highly sensitive information, and make sure to thoroughly scrutinize security procedures and cloud compliance of all their cloud service providers before purchasing services.
In summary, if your company is looking to embrace the cloud, your priority should be cloud compliance. Cloud compliance in tandem with security precautions is an absolute must for companies in this era. As cloud services and cloud computing continue to advance integration with modern organizations and enterprises, security regulations and procedures will have to push forward as well.
Author :
Adam Chriss, a proud contributing author and a freelance writer with interests in various subjects and writes articles on several subjects including Cloud Technology, Cloud Security, Cloud Data Security, Cloud Compliance etc,.
