Cloud Risk Assessment Checklist

Cloud platforms have paved new ways for businesses to secure their data and access information without any hassle. However, you can’t overlook the risks and threats associated with the cloud. Despite being a robust service, risk assessment for cloud computing has become essential for organizations to remain secure at all times. We have devised a cloud assessment checklist for companies to evaluate the potential risks of moving your data to the cloud. Also, we have curated a list of reasons why you must conduct a cloud risk assessment for your business. Continue reading till the end to find out!

Reasons Why You Need Cloud Infrastructure Security Assessment

A cloud security assessment holds significant importance due to the following reasons:

Enhancing Overall Security

A cloud security assessment helps organizations recognize areas that require improvements in their cloud security. By addressing these areas, organizations can enhance their overall security posture, reducing the likelihood of security breaches and data loss.

Identifying Security Risks and Vulnerabilities

The dynamic and intricate nature of cloud computing environments makes it crucial to promptly pinpoint potential risks and vulnerabilities. Conducting a cloud security assessment allows for identifying these risks, enabling organizations to take appropriate measures to mitigate them effectively.

Gaining Comprehensive Cloud Environment Insights

A cloud security assessment provides valuable insights into the cloud environment, encompassing crucial aspects such as utilized data and applications, existing access controls, and associated security risks. These insights play a pivotal role in developing a more comprehensive and robust cloud security strategy.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance

Numerous organizations must adhere to specific regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR, which impose stringent guidelines for cloud security. By conducting a cloud security assessment, organizations can verify their compliance with these requirements and take corrective actions if necessary.

The 7-Step Cloud Risk Assessment Checklist

Here is our 7-step cloud compliance checklist:

Step 1: Cloud Policies and Procedures

• Develop comprehensive cloud security policies and guidelines to ensure secure operations in the cloud.
• Consider various scenarios, such as private, public, and hybrid clouds, when creating and evaluating security policies.
• The cloud provider and the customer are responsible for maintaining a secure system.
• Implement and monitor policies and procedures to address potential security threats.

Step 2: Cloud Access Management

• Efficiently manage user identities and access to control permissions and ensure proper authentication and authorization.
• Conduct thorough reviews and authorizations for access to cloud systems.
• Provide security awareness training for employees and implement multi-factor authentication.
• Control and restrict guest access to minimize security vulnerabilities.

Step 3: Cloud Networking

• Add extra layers of network security to enhance cloud security, as public cloud security often lacks built-in protection.
• Implement measures to protect against malware injection and network-based attacks.
• Ensure sensitive data is appropriately encrypted when transmitted over less reliable networks.

Step 4: Cloud Backup and Data Recovery

• Establish a robust data recovery plan to prevent data loss due to hardware failure, natural disasters, or malicious actions.
• Regularly back up and store data and applications from servers on remote servers.
• Test the restoration process to ensure a successful recovery and have a contingency plan for physical storage locations and disaster recovery.

Step 5: Security Patches and Updates

• Keep cloud systems up to date with the latest security patches to maintain a secure environment.
• Centrally manage the application of patches to address vulnerabilities.
• Test security patches in a development environment before deploying them to live servers.
• Regularly assess the system for vulnerabilities and apply patches accordingly.

Step 6: Logging and Monitoring in the Cloud

• Log and monitor system activities to detect security compromises on time.
• Utilize cloud-based log centralization solutions to streamline the management and analysis of log data.
• Retain log data for an appropriate period and proactively monitor the system for suspected security breaches.

Step 7: Cloud Data Encryption

• Encrypt sensitive information stored in the cloud to render it unreadable and useless to unauthorized individuals.
• Implement measures to protect private keys and certificates.
• Ensure data is encrypted at rest and in transit to maintain security.

Manage Cloud Computing Risk Assessment with Mobiz

Since the cloud security assessment checklist comprises seven steps, the process can be time-consuming. To make it easier, cloud service provider Mobiz safeguards organizations from risks associated with the cloud by offering cloud assessment services.

At Mobiz, we have a team of well-trained cloud operations experts with proficiency in various domains. Our checklist to cloud readiness assessment combined with the threat risk assessment checklist will help you navigate challenges and prevent future cloud security issues. Partnering with Mobiz for your cloud security assessment needs will give you peace of mind, knowing that your cloud environment is thoroughly evaluated, risks are mitigated, and you are well-prepared to secure your valuable data and assets in the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cloud risk assessment?

A cloud security risk assessment is an essential evaluation of the potential risks and vulnerabilities that come with utilizing a cloud-based system. It is a crucial process that businesses should conduct to ensure the proper protection of their data while stored on remote servers. Companies can proactively identify and address potential security gaps by conducting a comprehensive cloud security risk assessment, minimizing the risks of data breaches and unauthorized access.

What is the NIST checklist for cloud security?

The NIST Cloud Computing Security Reference Architecture (NCC-SRA) checklist is a comprehensive framework provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for assessing and implementing security measures in cloud environments. It covers the following key components:

• Compliance and Audit
• Cloud Consumer Perspective
• Security and Privacy Capabilities
• Security Assessment and Authorization
• Security Governance
• Trusted Cloud Infrastructure
• Cloud Provider Perspective

What is the key risk of cloud computing?

A significant risk in cloud security is the potential for inadequate security measures, which can result in data breaches. Businesses must ensure that their chosen online storage provider offers comprehensive protection against data leakage and unauthorized access to sensitive and personal information.

For more insights on how Mobiz IT can support your cybersecurity needs, contact us today!

Explore our Cloud Assessment Services to learn more.