Assured Compliance in Cloud Security?
Does Your Cloud Strategy Leave Room for Compliance?
If you’re wondering whether your current cloud strategy is leaving room for compliance, it’s a good sign that you’re not alone. Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and Secrets Security Management has emerged as a critically important strategy. NHIs, the machine identities that are integral to cybersecurity, work in concert with ‘Secrets,’ which may be encrypted passwords, tokens, or keys. Coordinating these components is a complex task, but it’s one that could mean the difference between a secure network and a security breach waiting to happen.
Why is NHI Management a Cornerstone for Assured Security?
Much of the value proposition around NHIs lies within their lifecycle. By tackling the nuances of NHI management – from identification and classification to threat detection and remediation – businesses can preemptively address potential vulnerabilities, allowing for context-aware security. Unlike secret scanners, which only offer basic protection, NHI management takes a comprehensive approach by providing insights into ownership, permissions, usage patterns and potential vulnerabilities.
For organizations operating in the cloud, this importance cannot be overstated. According to a study by data management company Rubrik, lack of visibility and control over data was a significant concern for businesses. An astounding 57% of organizations reported that they had been hit by ransomware in the previous 12 months, and a lack of comprehensive NHI management was a significant factor.
Are There Tangible Benefits to Effective NHI Management?
The short answer is yes, and the benefits are multifold. First and foremost, effective NHI management mitigates security risks, thereby minimizing the likelihood of data leaks and breaches. In turn, this helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, as policy enforcement and audit trails become simpler to manage. Recent studies have shown that regulatory compliance is one of the top challenges for organizations, and effective NHI management can be a game-changer.
Operational efficiency also benefits from this strategy, as automation in NHI and secrets management frees up resources for strategic initiatives. A centralized view of access management and governance eases the burden on security teams, while cost savings are realized through automated secret rotations and NHI decommissioning.
Adjusting Your Cybersecurity Strategy for NHIs
So how can you adjust your current cybersecurity strategy to incorporate NHIs? The first step is to acknowledge NHIs and secrets as critical components of cybersecurity. It’s surprising how many organizations overlook this, and recent data from Google Cloud Platform indicates that as much as 20% of businesses may be putting themselves at risk by not properly managing their NHIs.
Next, remember that point solutions like secret scanners are no substitute for proper NHI management. They might offer temporary relief, but they lack the comprehensive oversight that NHI management platforms provide. By incorporating a holistic approach to your cybersecurity strategy, you can be proactive in identifying and mitigating threats, rather than being reactive when a security event occurs.
Furthermore, proper NHI management is not a one-and-done deal. It requires ongoing monitoring to ensure that your policies and procedures remain up-to-date and effective. In this ever-evolving landscape of cloud compliance, continuous improvement is key.
Whether your organization is in financial services, healthcare, travel, DevOps, or SOC teams, if you’re working in the cloud, integrating NHIs and Secrets Security Management into your cybersecurity strategy can significantly enhance system security. It’s not just about filling the gaps; it’s about creating a strong foundation on which your organization can securely operate and grow.
How to Start Immediate NHI Management
Before delving into the specifics of NHI management, it’s critical to understand the landscape of your organization’s existing machine identities and secrets. This information will provide a clear view of the current state of affairs, risks involved, and potential compliance requirements. Consider using a comprehensive platform that can illuminate the usage patterns, permissions, and vulnerabilities associated with each machine identity.
Another crucial step is prioritizing NHIs based on their risk levels. A cybersecurity strategy should not only address high-risk NHIs but also medium and low-risk NHIs. This act necessitates a thorough risk assessment that considers the value of the data each NHI handles, how critical it is to the business, and the potential repercussions of a breach.
Automating NHI Management for Better Efficiency
Implementing automation in NHI management can greatly improve operational efficiency. Not only does it lighten the workload for security teams, but it also ensures that tasks like secret rotation and NHI decommissioning are handled in a timely manner, reducing the risk of breaches and data leaks.
Further, with an automation function in place, manual errors, often a cause for security incidents, can be virtually eliminated. A study by Genesys Cloud revealed that manual misconfigurations are among the leading causes of data breaches; thus automation of these processes can provide a significant boost to your overall cybersecurity strategy.
NHI Management and Regulatory Compliance
Another significant angle to explore is the role of NHI management in meeting regulatory requirements. Without proper management and visibility of NHIs, it becomes nearly impossible to verify compliance with data security standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
Proactively managing NHIs can contribute to an organization’s ability to demonstrate control, transparency, and accountability, essential aspects of these standards. Documentation provided through NHI management regarding access management, audit trails, and policy enforcement can be of remarkable use during audits.
Does NHI Management Assure Cybersecurity?
Do you wonder if managing NHIs can assure cybersecurity? The truth lies in viewing NHI management as one crucial piece of a larger puzzle. While effective management of NHIs can significantly reduce certain security risks, it’s essential to understand that cybersecurity should employ a multi-layered approach.
Given the sophisticated nature of modern cyber threats and the ease with which attackers can exploit the smallest of vulnerabilities, there is no catch-all solution that can absolutely guarantee security. However, as per an IPC study, NHI management undeniably forms a crucial layer of defense in the broader cybersecurity architecture of an organization.
Making NHI Management Part of Your DNA
It would be best to realize that the key to achieving effective NHI management is not through a one-time sprint, but rather a marathon. It is a continuous drive towards refining policies, aligning with updated regulations, adapting to new technological advancements, and responding to dynamic threats.
Businesses will increasingly rely on machine identities, and the need for effective NHI and Secrets Security Management will become more acute. Ensuring this management becomes a part of your organization’s DNA will help drive a more secure, resilient, and compliant future.
Now, look around you. Examine your cybersecurity strategy. Consider the points discussed here. Are you giving NHIs the attention they deserve? If not, it’s time to start otherwise there is a considerable chance you are leaving gaps in your security and compliance strategies.
Remember, the end goal here isn’t just to achieve compliance or prevent breaches. Instead, the objective is to create an environment where data can move freely and safely, keeping your business secure while enabling growth and innovation.
It’s not an easy path, but with careful planning, strategic thinking, and proactive management, it’s a journey worth taking. And remember, the best offense is a good defense. Add Non-Human Identity and Secrets Security Management to your defense strategy now.
The post Assured Compliance in Cloud Security? appeared first on Entro.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Entro authored by Amy Cohn. Read the original post at: https://entro.security/assured-compliance-in-cloud-security/
