Cloud computing is now central to company operations, but it can also be an opportunity for hackers. As of late last year, 80% of organizations experienced more frequent cloud attacks.[1] Strengthening security is essential. Clear, actionable cloud security tips help protect digital assets with minimal complexity.
As companies migrate more services and data to cloud environments, risks grow and become harder to detect. Understanding these risks and implementing proactive security strategies is crucial for adapting to the evolving threat landscape. That’s why adopting cloud computing security best practices not only helps prevent incidents but also strengthens internal and external trust in your digital infrastructure.
What Is Cloud Security?
Cloud computing adoption significantly grew during the rise of remote work in the pandemic. With storing confidential data in the cloud and more employees relying on personal and commercial devices to work remotely, organizations became more vulnerable, and the risk of cyberattacks increased.
Cloud security refers to a broad set of strategies and technologies designed to protect data, applications, and infrastructure hosted in the cloud. This system includes various tools, policies, and controls that safeguard cloud systems against unauthorized access, data leaks, and constantly evolving cyber threats.
How does cloud computing work? Essentially, it involves delivering IT services such as software over the internet. This allows companies to scale quickly and reduce IT costs. However, because these platforms are accessible online, cloud services are also susceptible to security risks.
To address these challenges, many organizations turn to specialized consultants to help design effective security strategies tailored to their cloud environments. Their role is to implement solutions that cover data protection, access management, and comprehensive security.
Key Objectives of Cloud IT Security Include:
- Protecting Data Privacy: Ensuring confidential information remains secure at all times.
- Managing Multicloud Security: Addressing the unique challenges of working with multiple cloud service providers (CSPs).
- Access Control: Restricting access and ensuring only authorized users, devices, and applications can interact with the cloud.
By implementing strong cloud security measures, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to threats and maintain operational continuity. To achieve this, it’s important to identify and deploy the right security tools that address cloud-specific risks.
Secure Cloud Application: 5 Key Tools
Access credentials to cloud services are the first control point. They’re the gateway to all your information. That’s why implementing tools for a secure cloud application is essential. These solutions help manage access, prevent leaks, and ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your data. Following cloud security best practices will help you strengthen your cloud protection.
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Hackers have many ways to access data and applications, but one of the most common is through stolen credentials. That’s why usernames and passwords alone are often insufficient to protect accounts from cyberattacks. This is where multi-factor authentication (MFA) comes in.
MFA is one of the most cost-effective and efficient security controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can log in. By requiring two or more verification methods, such as a password and a code sent to a mobile device, the risk of unauthorized access is drastically reduced. It’s also easy to implement and compatible with most current cloud services.
2. Manage User Access
Most employees don’t need access to all applications, information, or files within the cloud infrastructure. Setting appropriate authorization levels ensures that each employee can only view or access the data necessary for their role. Assigning access control not only prevents accidental data edits but also protects against hackers who may steal an employee’s credentials and gain access to sensitive areas of the system.
3. Provide Anti-Phishing Training to Teams
Hackers can steal credentials using social engineering techniques such as phishing, spoofing, and social media spying. Offering regular training on these scams is the best way to prevent employees from unintentionally compromising confidential data. Phishing remains one of the most effective methods for illegally accessing sensitive information. Implementing email security identifies phishing attempts before they cause harm. Training is essential, but combining it with specialized technology further reduces human risk in cloud environments.
4. Protect Hybrid Cloud Environments With CASB
With many companies using a combination of public and private clouds, as well as on-premises infrastructure to maximize efficiency, hackers are on the lookout for security blind spots and systems that aren’t integrated or tightly managed.
A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a network security tool that provides many benefits. It can increase visibility across both managed and unmanaged cloud servers, safeguard against costly data breaches, identify malicious activity before it escalates, and enables scanning to remediate threats across internal and external networks if an employee tries to share or upload an infected file.
5. Conduct Regular Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a key tool for evaluating cloud security. It involves simulating controlled attacks to identify vulnerabilities, assess their impact, and verify the effectiveness of existing defenses. This type of analysis helps anticipate potential breaches and adjust strategies before real incidents occur.
Tests can be conducted by internal teams or outsourced to trusted providers, and costs vary depending on the type of test, duration, and size of the infrastructure. Including this exercise regularly in your security strategy helps maintain a proactive posture, adapted to technological changes and emerging attack methods.
Cloud Security: A Smart Investment With Expert Support
Cloud computing has become a scalable, cost-effective, and secure option for businesses of all sizes. However, its success depends on responsible implementation and a well-defined security strategy. Adopting best practices from the start allows you to enjoy its benefits without exposing sensitive data or compromising business continuity. But doing it alone can be complex.
Having the support of cybersecurity experts can make all the difference. Designing a secure multicloud architecture, budgeting for appropriate solutions, and providing ongoing management to protect your digital infrastructure are essential pieces if you want your investment to be worthwhile. At LevelBlue, we offer services designed to ease this transition, with solutions tailored to each environment and threat.
References
1. SentinelOne. (Nov 19, 2024). 50+ Cloud Security Statistics in 2025. SentinelOne
