What is cloud security architecture?

Cloud security architecture is the umbrella term used to describe all hardware, software and infrastructure that protects the cloud environment and its components, such as data, workloads, containers, virtual machines and APIs.

The cloud security architecture is a core component of every cloud security strategy, which protects everything within a cloud environment, including the cloud infrastructure, cloud data, and cloud applications.

Why is Enterprise cloud security architecture important?

When migrating to the cloud, security can be an afterthought for many organizations. This leaves the organization open to risks and threats specific to the cloud environment that are not protected by traditional on-premise security measures and tools.

While many organizations have deployed a series of point solutions to improve security in the cloud, this patchwork approach can significantly limit visibility, which makes it difficult to achieve a strong security posture.

Organizations that have migrated to the cloud or are in the process of doing so must develop a comprehensive security strategy custom built for the cloud that integrates with the overarching enterprise security strategy and solutions.

4 key elements of cloud security architecture

1. Cloud security posture management (CSPM): Focuses on security of cloud APIs, preventing misconfigurations and integrations into the CI/CD pipeline.

2. Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP): Oversees runtime protection and continuous vulnerability management of cloud containers.

3. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Works to improve visibility across endpoints that includes who is accessing data and how it is being used.

4. Cloud application security: Application-level policies, tools, technologies, and rules to maintain visibility into all cloud computing activity and protect cloud-based applications throughout the development lifecycle.

3 security principles for a cloud architecture

Maintaining a secure cloud architecture is based on three security principles: accessibility, integrity and availability.

• Accessibility: Ensuring cloud-based services, data and other assets are accessible only to authorized, authenticated users and devices
• Integrity: Ensuring the system and applications function consistently and efficiently
• Availability: Ensuring the system is available to users, including employees and customers, and protected from service-related attacks, such as Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks

Cloud security architectures by service models

There are three main cloud service models, all of which are subject to the shared responsibility model.

Software as a service (SaaS): SaaS is a software delivery model wherein the vendor centrally hosts an application in the cloud that can be used by a subscriber.

Platform as a service (PaaS): PaaS is a platform delivery model that can be purchased and used to develop, run and manage applications. In the cloud platform model, the vendor provides both the hardware and software generally used by application developers; the service provider is also responsible for security of the platform and its infrastructure.

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): IaaS is an infrastructure delivery model wherein a vendor provides a wide range of compute resources such as virtualized servers, storage and network equipment over the internet. In this model, the business is responsible for maintaining security of anything they own or install on the infrastructure, such as the operating systems, applications, and middleware.

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