Cloud Security Management

Evolving Cloud Adoption and Security Challenges

With the growing shift to the Cloud and the rapid advancement of services, organizations have unprecedented opportunities to innovate and scale. However, this evolution also brings new security challenges that are often overlooked. One of the most significant threats comes from social engineering tactics, like phishing attacks, where malicious actors exploit human vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data, credentials, or access to critical systems.

Intrada stands out by driving innovation and maximizing returns while working to address critical security concerns head-on. By understanding each organization’s unique needs, Intrada works to implement the right licensing to establish a strong foundation of protection. This tailored approach sets up safeguards while equipping teams with training and awareness programs designed to combat threats like phishing and social engineering effectively.

An example of this process: Research shows many phishing scams gain access to email accounts through Outlook Web App (OWA), with approximately 36% of data breaches involving phishing—often targeting web-based platforms like OWA. To mitigate this risk, Intrada advises disabling OWA unless necessary, restricting its use to specific roles, and avoiding it for high-risk users.

The Cloud is often promoted as a simple and cost-effective solution, but its true value depends on a client’s risk assessment and the sophistication of its intended use. For organizations requiring enhanced monitoring and detection—such as identifying unusual access attempts—it may be worth exploring third-party services or investing in an E3 license subscription. In some cases, businesses may need advanced features or stricter controls, which can add both complexity and cost. Intrada specializes in helping organizations navigate these challenges, ensuring their infrastructure is tailored to meet both security requirements and operational goals.

In reality, even with top-tier security services and the best vendors, a company is ultimately held accountable in the event of a breach. That’s why Intrada prioritizes building strong partnerships with clients, helping them understand the balance between value and risk. Together, we work to implement the most robust and effective network resource configurations to safeguard their operations.

Key Focus Points in Cloud Security Management

Cloud Security Management addresses various items including identity and access management, data encryption, threat detection and response, compliance, and disaster recovery. These components work together to provide a comprehensive security posture, protecting against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats.

• Access Control
  Implementing strict access controls to limit who can access sensitive data and Cloud services.
• Compliance
  Adhering to industry standards and regulations to protect sensitive information and privacy.
• Compliance Monitoring
  Keeping up to date with compliance standards and making certain that Cloud practices meet required regulations.
• Data Encryption
  The process of converting plaintext data into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access.
• Data Protection
  Safeguarding that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit and enforcing data retention and deletion policies.
• Employee Training
  Providing ongoing education for employees on best practices in Cloud security to mitigate human error and insider threats.
• Firewalls
  Network security devices that monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and determine whether to allow or block specific traffic based on predetermined security rules.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM)
  A framework for determining that the right individuals have the appropriate access to technology resources.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  A security system that requires more than one method of authentication from independent categories of credentials to verify the user’s identity.
• Risk Assessment
  Regularly evaluating vulnerabilities and risks to prioritize security efforts effectively.
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
  A solution that provides real-time analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware.
• Threat Detection and Response
  Continuously monitoring for unusual activities and responding promptly to potential security incidents.

By focusing on these critical aspects, organizations can build a Cloud security framework that mitigates risks and protects their Cloud environments from potential threats.