While Cloud Computing continues to establish itself at the core of companies’ operations, it is still subject to a variety of requirements on the web, particularly in terms of security. To this end, many providers and other related services have developed their own infrastructures with standards and technologies adapted to the practice.
Read on for a full review of Cloud Computing security: from innovation to global issues and the implications for the quality of service among SMEs.
Cloud Computing Definition
Today, Cloud Computing has become a cornerstone of business service. Offering an arsenal of resources along with software or hardware infrastructure, it plays an essential role in enabling economies of scale on the web.
In other words, Cloud Computing allows companies to benefit from remote access to reliable infrastructure in exchange for a monthly subscription. This remote access encompasses solutions like servers, web hosting, ERP, data storage, and other services habitually made possible through a material infrastructure.
Cloud Computing thus allows both users and companies to get rid of the costs associated with hardware equipment (servers, memory, processing power, global infrastructure, etc.), maintenance, or installation. In this case, all of the aforementioned services are directly accessible from the client’s computer online.
One of its primary uses is SaaS (Software as a Service), though it is also found in IaaS (Infrastructure as a service) or PaaS (Platform as a service) forms. Furthermore, it also offers a variety of ways to outsource services, provide only infrastructure, or both services and infrastructure alike.
All in all, Cloud Computing gives companies the power to make substantial economies of scale through outsourcing, which makes it an essential solution for businesses in the modern-day and age.
The importance of Cloud security
In the context of modern technology, the Cloud has established itself at the center of the conversation on global security. While the provider of the outsourced platform, service or leased equipment will usually take charge of the Cloud’s security – it is nonetheless a problem to be considered. When security becomes a shared responsibility between the client and the provider, both the company and the chosen service must safeguard the Cloud from end to end.
As such, many standards have emerged in order to ensure the optimal Cloud security. While the IT side of the Cloud obeys traditional security regulations, data confidentiality isn’t as set in stone and remains open for debate.
Therefore, many Cloud services (e.g. VPNs) have also started to tackle global security by proposing new privacy policies, as well as a tunneling system for data encryption.
Since then, various major companies have joined the movement and upgraded their Cloud services to become a stronghold of web security in comparison to traditional IT solutions:
- The Cloud maintains its data centers as third-party services, which considerably lowers their vulnerability, compared to the classic infrastructures used by companies in the past that have proven to be much easier to breach on many levels.
- Lower costs, thanks to outsourcing, also provide an advantage for companies, seeing as they only have to guarantee their personal security without dealing with data centers.
- Resource usage is another benefit of the Cloud. Companies will enjoy increased efficiency thanks to an improved distribution of the workload and, above all, custom provisioning. The systems in place remain always operational, which guarantees permanent security with real-time updates.
- Of course, the time it takes to make a Cloud service available is minimal, therefore its security updates are always at the forefront of innovation, unlike the physical infrastructure used as a company’s private servers.
- Cloud pricing is considerably lower, because it is directly linked to its usage. Naturally, security is also less expensive and therefore more effective; for instance, the company will no longer have the inherent costs of updating their antivirus every year.
In short, through its business model and lower costs, Cloud Computing allows companies to benefit from affordable, cutting-edge security in real time. In contrast, traditional services would be lagging behind in the matter, due to priorities, elevated costs and a variety of other reasons.
What is Microsoft Azure and how secure is it ?
As mentioned before, major companies and even multinationals have joined the effort to guarantee data security. This is true for Amazon and Microsoft, both of whom are now essential players in Cloud security services.
Recently, Microsoft has entered the field of Cloud Computing and security with its Azure service. Microsoft Azure’s Cloud solution allows companies to respond to various market demands of today. From application development, to management and data analysis, Azure is now at the heart of various sectors such as healthcare, the public sector, distribution and even financial services.
Offering a wide range of applications, Azure provides companies with all the necessary solutions for their development, whether they are start-ups, SMEs or even multinationals.
How secure is the Microsoft Azure Cloud ?
Reinforced with persistent, all-around security, Azure offers companies a complete protection of their data, supported by the latest privacy policies, as well as full compliance with international standards and all the regulations related to the Cloud.
With a focus on Open Source, it benefits companies in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Security for SMEs
Naturally, Azure provides companies with the most advanced security. Long sought after by SMEs, this security is among the main advantages of the solution. The Microsoft Cloud service offers SMEs an integrated, multilayered protection against DDoS attacks, supervised by a team of more than 3,500 cybersecurity experts.
Featuring integrated controls and rapid threat detection thanks to Azure Security Center, it constitutes the perfect security solution for SMEs that must protect their data, particularly in very competitive sectors where each patent and product is essential to the company’s success.
Securing the data
As mentioned above, Azure allows you to secure your data in the best way there is. As such, data theft – notably, as it happened with Desjardins – will be rendered almost impossible.
It is essential to understand how data travels between devices, and how the nature of data itself can result in millions of collateral victims. The Desjardins leak, for example, had endangered more than 4.6 million individuals. The accounts of clients and businesses alike fell victim to the malice of an employee.
Such an incident would be easy to avoid thanks to an outsourced Cloud solution, as the provider manages access to various data with unrivaled diligence. In this regard, it would become impossible for unauthorized individuals to have access to sensitive data.
A high quality Cloud service
In line with Microsoft’s services, Azure is among the safest solutions on the market. Built by cybersecurity experts with the input of thousands of web professionals, the infrastructure behind this software solution is one of the most secure in the world.
Thanks to its low costs, its leading security systems and the expert teams behind it, Microsoft has made Azure one of the world’s most advantageous Cloud Computing systems for companies. Thus Asos, Daimler and even Mc Kesson have opted for Bill Gates’ company and solution. There isn’t a shortage of big names in the industry that put their trust into the services of Microsoft Azure.
These are all points that make this solution a world leader in terms of security, as well as cybersecurity research, particularly in the field of Cloud SaaS.
Cloud security: of utmost importance
As you have witnessed, in particular with the above example of the data leak, Cloud security has become a fundamental issue in recent years. The advancement of IT solutions goes hand-in-hand with an ever increasing number of attacks, especially when it comes to sharing sensitive data.
For this reason, more and more VSBs are turning to big budget Cloud solutions in cybersecurity like Microsoft Azure. Similarly, the demand for Cloud Computing has continued to spread and grow on the web, so much so that a majority of users and companies have since shifted to this type of service.
In the context of a health crisis like in 2020, when an increase in working from home greatly contributes to the flow of sensitive data, it is important to choose high-level Cloud solutions equipped with latest generation security systems.
Naturally, Microsoft Azure will be among Gestisoft’s offered products. These two services come together as a perfect match to provide you with a cutting-edge Cloud experience, combining Microsoft’s power as an international corporation with the innovation of a known and recognized ERP provider – Gestisoft.
There is no shortage of advantages when choosing a CRM or ERP Cloud software, while limiting as many errors as possible along the way.
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July 05, 2022 by Frédéric Charest by Frédéric Charest VP of Marketing
Data-driven Growth Marketer with a Passion for SEO - Driving Results through Analytics and Optimization