Six ways cloud security can protect your organization while simplifying operations

It’s no secret that modern enterprises are shifting their mission-critical applications from the corporate data center to cloud and SaaS providers. In fact, nearly three-quarters of companies surveyed by KPMG in 2022 said they were migrating strategic workloads to the cloud. The shift away from centralized networks and private data centers shows no signs of slowing in 2023. 

But if this shift in data comes as no surprise to legitimate businesspeople, you can be sure that cybercriminals have also taken note of it. You can also be sure they are actively exploiting any security vulnerabilities such a move might present. While the migration to the cloud delivers overwhelming benefits to the enterprise, it also most certainly broadens the attack surface for cybercriminals.

Take heart. Cloud security solutions exist today that can secure critical business assets and greatly simplify protecting applications and users from escalating cybercrime. What follows are the top six use cases for cloud security solutions, and tips to help IT leaders select the right ones. 

1. Securing the hybrid and remote workforce: Cloud security solutions can support mobile and remote users by granting secure access to internal corporate and cloud applications, regardless of location or device. With the proper solution, users working remotely can access a controlled selection of internal and cloud applications through multifactor authentication (MFA) or zero trust network access (ZTNA).  Some solutions can provide both security options; enterprises considering security partners should demand solutions that can deliver both options simply and swiftly.  
2. Protect against growing cybersecurity threats: Anyone with access to the internet can buy ransomware kits. In 2022, researchers found 475 pages of ransomware code for sale. Look for solutions that include a cloud access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway (SWG), and a ZTNA to help the modern enterprise to ward off ransomware attacks. 
3. Allow users to directly access cloud applications: Check with prospective vendors to see if their solutions can safely enable direct-to-cloud and internet access, regardless of the user or device location. The right solution will enable organizations to move away from reliance on physical infrastructure and corporate data centers.
4. Improve application performance: A CASB can enforce IT policies when employees use cloud services and will ensure connections are authorized and secure. Secure web gateways provide additional protection by monitoring web requests and preventing access to potentially harmful websites and applications. In turn, these elements will provide security while supporting lower-latency branch access to applications. IT leaders should query solutions providers to find out if their offering allows users at a branch site to safely access SaaS applications and the Internet without backhauling traffic through a corporate data center or hub network to apply security policies.
   
5. Enhance VPNs: While standard VPNs connect a user to one specific local network, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) cloud security creates a secure network perimeter throughout the enterprise. The right solutions allow remote access to an organization’s network and applications regardless of geographical barriers.
6. Enables a controlled migration to the cloud: Many applications have migrated from corporate data centers to cloud and SaaS vendors. Yet, a considerable amount of sensitive data and mission-critical applications remain in on-site data centers, consuming OpEx and resources to manage. The correct solution can give the enterprise more control over its network as data is migrated to the cloud. One centralized cloud-based management portal, delivered by a single partner, means that the enterprise has a simpler, more controllable path to the cloud. 

How Spectrum Enterprise can help

Layered, cloud-based security services coupled with SD-WAN can protect the entirety of an IT footprint across clouds and locations. This framework can be difficult for organizations to adopt using multiple vendors and legacy networks. A trusted solutions partner like Spectrum Enterprise can tailor a wide range of complementary services that span security, networking and connectivity to meet your exact requirements.

As an extension of your team, we have the expertise to manage (or co-manage) your network so your team can focus on strategic priorities. Spectrum Enterprise provides Cloud Security, and this solution provides CASB, zero trust network access, firewall-as-a-service functionality, and more to effectively extend corporate security practices to the cloud.

Over 80% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Spectrum Enterprise for technology solutions. See how we can help you with your cloud security concerns.