Cloud computing eventually enables independent software vendors (ISVs) to scale their services and resources as needed with the help of the pay-as-you-go pricing model. Moreover, it increases agility and enriches their software solution. Overall, this allows ISVs to deliver their software solutions to customers faster, more efficiently, and more cost-effectively.

However, with this shift comes an increased risk of cyber threats. According to Check Point’s 2022 Cloud Security Report, 27% of organizations have experienced a security incident in their public cloud infrastructure within the last 12 months.

Therefore, ISVs must prioritize the security of their cloud-based applications and data to protect their customers and their own reputation.

As a leading cloud solution service provider, we will share the top cloud security practices that ISVs must implement to ensure the safety of their cloud environments. This will help ISVs safeguard cloud environments and provide the best software services.

1. Secure Access to Cloud

Although most cloud service providers like Microsoft have their own ways of safeguarding the infrastructure, you are still responsible for protecting the cloud user accounts and access to sensitive data for your company.

1. Improve password management or implement a centralized password management solution in your organization to lower the risk of account compromise and credential theft.
2. Regularly update and patch all systems, including cloud infrastructure and connected devices.
3. Implement multifactor authentication to ensure it is much harder for unauthorized users to gain access.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to secure communications between users and the cloud.

2. Meet IT Compliance Requirements

Being an ISV, you need to safeguard consumer data and improve the security of sensitive data. Therefore, you must focus on meeting cybersecurity compliances with standards, laws, and regulations. Without the appropriate security controls and IT compliance tools in your cloud infrastructure, your company could lose millions of dollars in fines in case of a data breach.

Most of the time, the compliance requirements are aligned with the prominent cloud providers. So, you just need to ensure that your own data security and processing procedures are compliant. To make this compliance audit process easier, consider hiring a data protection officer (DPO) or contacting a cloud solution provider like G7 CR Technologies.

We, being specialized and experienced in cybersecurity and IT compliance, can help you meet the requirements of standards, rules, and regulations.

3. Respond to Security Breaches Efficiently

You can indeed reduce the losses from a data breach if you quickly identify, contain, and eliminate cybersecurity risks. The longer a threat survives in your cloud environment, the more data an attacker can destroy.

Hence, consider creating an incident response plan in order to guarantee that your cybersecurity team can respond effectively to a crisis. Roles and processes must be clearly defined in this strategy to handle various unlikely scenarios.

You can also choose to use Microsoft Defender for cloud to effectively identify and respond to cybersecurity concerns in your cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Defender helps you with the following:

1. Real-time protection by scanning and monitoring devices against malware, ransomware, and other threats.
2. Automatic updates ensure that devices are always protected against the latest threats.
3. MFA in Microsoft Defender helps prevent unauthorized access to devices and accounts by requiring additional authentication beyond a simple username and password.
4. Security for multiple devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.

4. Implement Intrusion Detection and Prevention Technology

One of the best cloud security tools available today is intrusion prevention and detection systems (IDPS). Analyzing network data for telltale signals of a sophisticated attack is practically impossible without IDPS. Real-time notifications and round-the-clock monitoring depend on these tools.

Their network traffic monitoring, analysis, and response capabilities cover both on-premises and public cloud settings. IDPS systems add threats to a log, notify administrators of unexpected activity, and block threats when they come across anomaly-based, protocol-based, or signature-based threats so that admins have time to take appropriate action.

5. Choose a Trusted Cloud Solution Provider

People often do not think much before finalizing a cloud solution provider. However, it is essential for ISVs to work with a reputable cloud provider that continuously provides the greatest built-in security mechanisms and complies with regulatory requirements. Choosing a trusted cloud solution provider will help you with the following:

1. Security measures to protect your data, such as encryption and regular security updates
2. Compliances and regulations to help your organization meet its compliance requirements
3. Necessary infrastructure to ensure your data remains within the geographical boundaries and is not subject to other countries’ laws
4. Scalability, reliability, support, integration, and certifications

As ISVs move their applications and data to the cloud, it is essential to implement robust security measures to protect against cyber threats. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that security is an ongoing process, and it is crucial to regularly review and update security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats.

This is where you need to work with a trusted cloud solution provider like G7 CR Technologies. In this endeavour, G7 CR is partnered with Microsoft to enable ISVs to confidently serve their customers and protect their businesses by taking the necessary steps to secure their cloud environments.