In this article, we turn to Mark Allen, head of cyber security at UK-based technology firm CloudCoCo, to gain insights into the most pressing priorities for SMEs.
Cloud adoption has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, and for good reason.
With more data storage, networking components, and virtualized resources in the cloud, the potential for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities increases.
SMEs must carefully weigh the advantages against potential security and privacy risks.
An excessive focus on cyber security might impede the seamless support that cloud adoption can offer.
Cyber security should serve as a foundational consideration that informs cloud strategy, rather than act as an afterthought.
Just as every organization has unique needs, the extent of security measures required varies.
A financial services firm handling sensitive customer data will likely need more robust security than a creative agency.
Growth aspirations also play a pivotal role; as a business expands,so does the blast radius of potential cyber attacks.
Cyber security can be a significant but necessary investment, but it's about focusing on smart strategies that provide robust protection during the transition to the cloud.
Conducting an in-depth analysis of an SME's existing tech infrastructure - including legacy on-premises systems and elements already in the cloud - can reveal vulnerabilities that are compromising your firm's security posture and uncover redundant systems that may be inflating budgets.
This analysis ensures that systems are truly optimized before proceeding with the cloud transition, as integrating security mid-migration poses greater risks.
While hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google offer valuable services, organisations' cyber security responsibilities do not vanish when migrating to the public cloud.
As the migration progresses, cyber security should no longer be viewed in isolation but as an integral part of the broader cloud adoption project.
Cyber threats evolve constantly, rendering today's measures potentially inadequate for tomorrow.
Seeking the assistance of a cloud-agnostic security expert for a comprehensive review can significantly enhance proactive measures, whilst keeping costs from spiraling.
Cyber risk assessments, often incorporating AI and automation alongside human expertise, provide a holistic view of an SME's security posture.
This analysis yields a general security score that guides further development to mature the cloud roadmap.
In the world of cyber security, just as in academics, it's wise not to grade your own homework.
He is the latest addition to the Cloud CoCo senior team, bringing with him 18 years of technical and commercial industry experience.
This Cyber News was published on www.cyberdefensemagazine.com. Publication date: Sun, 04 Feb 2024 07:13:05 +0000