Cloud Service Provider Security: Evaluating Vendor Capabilities
Navigating the complexities of cloud security is crucial for any company looking to partner with a service provider. We’ve gathered insights from top industry experts, including an Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer and CEOs, to share their singular best practices. From assessing risk and establishing a vendor process to utilizing NIST security frameworks and guidance, discover the seven key strategies these professionals recommend for evaluating cloud service providers’ security capabilities.
- Assess Risk and Establish Vendor Process
- Focus on Compliance Credentials and Transparency
- Require Third-Party Audits
- Consider Business Priorities and Team Skills
- Ensure Enforcement of Robust Login Security
- Evaluate Physical Security Measures
- Verify Provider’s CSA Membership
- Utilize NIST Security Frameworks and Guidance
Assess Risk and Establish Vendor Process
The level of security assessment performed with a new cloud service provider should be based on the amount of risk your company will be exposed to through the partnership (and what you consider to be acceptable) and should consider a number of factors, including:
– What type of data will that vendor be storing or processing?
– What are our obligations as an organization to how we disclose, share, or use that data?
– Who is responsible for what protections and controls between the service provider and my company as the client?
– How is your environment and your data separated from other clients of the same vendor?
If you don’t already have a specific process for evaluating vendors and measuring risk consistently across your partners, you should consider putting one in place. It helps to ensure that you are asking the same questions every time and are evaluating existing and prospective vendors equally.
Also, be sure to understand what your overall risk tolerance is for working with partners who will be storing or processing your data, as this will also help to inform the decision of whether or not the function may best be developed in-house instead.
Sam Masiello
Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer, The Anschutz Corporation
Focus on Compliance Credentials and Transparency
One of the most important things to look for when evaluating the security of a cloud service provider is their compliance credentials. A good provider will adhere to industry standards like ISO 27001 or SOC 2, showing they are committed to strong security measures. These certifications show the provider has passed rigorous assessments and meets high standards for protecting sensitive data.
In addition, don’t be afraid to ask questions about their security processes. Ask about encryption policies, data backup protocols, incident response plans, and more. An open provider will happily share these details, building trust and reassuring you of their dedication to protecting your data.
It’s important to remember that protecting your company’s sensitive information is a top priority, and working with a cloud provider necessitates an in-depth analysis of their security strategy. By focusing on compliance certification and engaging in transparent discussions about security procedures, you can build a relationship based on trust and protect your precious digital assets.
Max Maybury
Co-Owner and Developer, Ai-Product Reviews
Require Third-Party Audits
I understand the critical importance of security in cloud-service partnerships. One key best practice for assessing the security capabilities of cloud service providers is to conduct a comprehensive review of their compliance certifications and standards.
In the FinTech industry, where handling sensitive financial data is commonplace, ensuring that your cloud service provider adheres to globally recognized security standards is crucial. Look for certifications like ISO 27001, which indicates a robust approach to information security management, or specific industry-related compliances such as PCI DSS for payment security. These certifications are not just badges; they signify a provider’s commitment to maintaining high-security protocols.
Additionally, inquire about their audit processes. Regular third-party audits are a good indicator that the provider is continuously maintaining and updating their security measures. This is especially important in a rapidly evolving tech landscape where new threats emerge constantly. By choosing a provider that prioritizes and demonstrates a strong commitment to security through recognized standards and regular audits, you can ensure a more secure and reliable cloud-service partnership.
Artūras Asakavičius
CEO, Co-Founder, Breezit
Consider Business Priorities and Team Skills
All leading cloud service providers are pretty good and offer comparable services, and I think it comes down to business priorities and preferences, and, based on the workload we are trying to move, the skill set the IT organization has for a particular use case.
If I have to provide one tip or best practice, it would be to review your team’s skill sets and relationship with the CSP, and their case studies/success stories with other organizations with successful migration of their similar workload to the specific cloud service provided.
Gaurav Singh
Cyber Security Leader, Under Armour
Ensure Enforcement of Robust Login Security
Before partnering with or using any cloud service provider, you should assess the level of their login security. Generally, you should ensure that enforcement policies such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords are enforced as default settings on these platforms or are, at a minimum, available for setup.
Furthermore, you should ensure that the cloud service provider adheres to recognized industry standards and has obtained relevant certifications that align with your specific security and regulatory requirements.
Assuring your cloud service provider adheres to recognized standards can be done by looking for certifications such as ISO 27001 for information security management systems, SOC 2 for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, or other industry-specific certifications depending on your business sector.
By prioritizing cloud service providers with reputable certifications and compliance measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities and ensure that your organization’s data is handled with the highest standards of security and integrity.
Jordan Bridge
Digital Marketing Executive and Cyber Security Officer, Growthlabs
Evaluate Physical Security Measures
Do not, under any circumstances, fail to get a good handle on their physical security capabilities. This is something that I see many organizations overlook when choosing a CSP, and I think that this is a fairly major misstep, given that breakdowns in physical security are going to be far more common than those in digital if you’re looking at the numbers.
Even if you can’t do an independent assessment, I’d still recommend at least confirming with the CSP what kind of precautions they are taking to physically safeguard their facilities.
Kate Kandefer
CEO, SEOwind
Verify Provider’s CSA Membership
Verifying the certification of a cloud service provider should be one of the first things that a company does before partnering with them. This can be done by checking the company’s website or by contacting their customer service department.
Ask the provider to provide a copy of their ISO 27001 certification, which is a widely-recognized standard for information security management systems. This will help you determine if the provider is capable of handling your company’s sensitive data.
In addition, you can also check if the provider is a member of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting best practices in cloud security.
Matthew Ramirez
Founder, Rephrase AI
Utilize NIST Security Frameworks and Guidance
NIST 800-210 security questionnaire. Its focus is on cloud guidance. If you need something more robust, add NIST CSF (Cybersecurity Framework) questions to validate the operations of the cloud organization as well.
Ali Allage
CEO, BlueSteel Cybersecurity
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “How should a company assess the security capabilities of cloud service providers before partnering with them? Give one tip/best practice.”
Leave a Reply