Page 14 - Security Today, August 2017

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to store long-term evidence, instead of on local servers or on external storage devic- es which can end up in the wrong hands. Cloud services can also play a critical role in disaster recovery.
In case servers are damaged by a fire or natural disaster, a full system back-up can be restored using cloud services so operations can continue without delay. Organizations can connect on-premises systems to cloud services to strengthen se- curity and minimize internal and external threats. Here is how.
Automating Updates to Avoid Known Vulnerabilities Many vulnerabilities that hackers prey on are quickly identified and fixed by vendors in software version updates. Even when an IT team sets scheduled updates in a closed environment, it might not happen fast enough to prevent a breach. The perk of deploying cloud services is that system updates are facilitated by the vendor. As soon as the latest versions and fixes are available, the client will have access to them. This helps to ensure that their sys- tems are always protected against known vulnerabilities.
In connected environment, the vendor also knows what software versions are running at customer sites, and what fixes they might need. This helps the vendor personalize its services and make sure each client is getting the security updates and mechanisms that they need to bolster their environment.
Monitoring System Availability and Health
IT and security departments have many priorities. When they are busy, it’s not al- ways possible to keep an eye out for po- tential system failures. However, knowing when a camera goes offline or when there is a server failure can help organizations avoid potential threats. Cloud services can automate this task by immediately sending email or text alerts to directors and man- agers if a system vulnerability is identified.
Then, they can securely log into the system to investigate the issue and take corrective measures. This solution helps organizations keep their on-premises sys- tems secure and working at peak efficiency.
Considering Security
in the Selection of Your Cloud Service Provider
All cloud solutions are not created equal-
ly. To identity the most secure cloud ser- vices, it’s important for organizations to take a closer look at the vendor’s security policies and built-in security mechanisms. This should include encrypted communi- cations, data protection capabilities, and strong user authentication and password protection.
These mechanisms help protect orga- nizations against hackers and other inter- net-based attacks. From an internal stand- point, they also ensure only those with defined privileges will be able to access or use resources, data and applications.
Organizations should also look at the back-end cloud platform on which the services are built. Tier-one cloud provid- ers such as Microsoft have a global inci- dent response team that works around the clock to mitigate attacks. The company also builds security into its cloud platform from the ground up, embedding mandato- ry security requirements into every phase of the development process. Top cloud providers also go out of their way to com- ply with international and industry-specif- ic compliance standards, and participate in rigorous third-party audits which test and verify security controls.
Opening Up to Greater Connectivity and Security Connecting an on-premises system to ex- ternal applications does not invite threats. Instead, with the right vendor, organiza- tions can use cloud services to strengthen and enhance the security of their on- premises systems.
These services provide the necessary updates, notifications and security mech- anisms that keep on-premises systems free from common vulnerabilities that lead to more serious threats. They also help IT and security teams remain effi- cient and proactive in ensuring their sys- tems are secure, and functioning at peak performance.
Here’s the truth—as adoption for the cloud increases, these cloud services will help organizations keep their on-premises system more secure than ever before.
Francis Lachance is the director of the video and appliances product group at Genetec Inc.
1. https://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/ rp-data-exfiltration.pdf
2. http://info.identityfinder.com/rs/369-OZQ-876/ images/Understand_The_State_Of_Data_Secu- rity_And_Privacy_2015_To_2016.pdf
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