Originally, when cloud-based systems began to appear, the group discussed how companies would tend to avoid using them because of what a borderless system may entail. But now that frame of mind has shifted as modern technology has evolved, and security teams are now almost required to adopt cloud systems into their infrastructure as a necessity. These systems can help in maintaining business continuity, and can be the best strategy depending on what your industry or company requires as far as communication and data sharing.
The group agrees that those who work in the security industry are “control freaks,” because the job requires it. Team members need to know who is accessing what information, where it is being accessed, and where data and information are going. If attacks or breaches were to happen, security teams need to always be alert and know where their flaws may be so they can prevent them. That makes adopting to a cloud system a bit of a challenge, as the “borderless” environment can hinder that visibility surrounding sensitive data. That can be further complicated in international enterprises where data is flowing through a cloud across the world and the probability for a data breach is much higher. ¬Another challenge is handing the control of your cloud system over to the vendor in control of the software. Not only does feeding your information through another company create more potential for data leaks and breaches, but there are more practical issues to consider as well. For example, if the vendor closes up shop and shuts down the cloud system, where does your data go? Can you retrieve all of it in a timely manner before the system is closed?
Cloud structures provide a lot of benefits to security teams in modern enterprises, but there are a variety of challenges involved. Utilizing cloud-based systems that remove the secure “borders” around an enterprise is tough to overcome, but the important part is that companies are discussing the challenges and working together to find solutions.