Mid-market businesses face growing cloud security risks, with 42% of SMBs targeted by cyberattacks last year and cloud-related incidents up by 188%. Limited budgets and expertise make it harder to stay secure. Here’s a quick summary of 7 essential cloud security practices to protect your business without overspending:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Prevents 99.9% of account breaches.
2. Data Encryption: Safeguards sensitive data in transit and at rest.
3. Regular Security Checks: Identifies vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.
4. User Access Control: Reduces risks by limiting permissions to what’s necessary.
5. Fix Security Gaps: Addresses misconfigurations that cause 99% of cloud failures.
6. Staff Training: Reduces human error, responsible for 95% of breaches.
7. Emergency Response Plans: Ensures fast recovery after a breach.

Quick Overview of Key Tools and Benefits

Security Practice	Key Benefit	Example Tools/Services
Multi-Factor Authentication	Blocks unauthorized access attempts	Microsoft Entra ID, Okta
Data Encryption	Keeps data safe even if breached	AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault
Regular Security Checks	Spots weaknesses early	AWS Security Hub, SentinelOne
User Access Control	Minimizes insider threats	Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Fix Security Gaps	Prevents common vulnerabilities	Lacework, automated scans
Staff Training	Lowers risks tied to human error	KnowBe4, Guardey
Emergency Response Plans	Speeds up recovery after incidents	Backup tools like Veeam

Implementing these steps can significantly reduce risks and strengthen your cloud security. Dive into the full guide for actionable tips and tools to get started.

The Ultimate Guide to Cloud Security: Top 7 Best Practices for 2023

1. Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Cyberattacks have surged by 400% since pre-COVID times, according to the FBI ^[3]. One effective way to counter this threat? Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). It can prevent 99.9% of account breaches ^[2].

Understanding MFA Basics

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to confirm their identity using multiple methods. These methods are typically grouped into three categories:

Authentication Factor	Examples	Security Level
Something you know	Password, PIN	Basic
Something you have	Smartphone, token	Enhanced
Something you are	Fingerprint, face scan	Advanced

Shockingly, 67% of businesses tested by Rapid7 failed to implement MFA across all login points ^[3]. This is alarming, especially when a single cyber breach can cost a business around $3.92 million ^[3]. Understanding these basics is the first step to deploying MFA effectively.

MFA Setup Guide

Here are some cost-effective MFA solutions to consider:

Solution	Monthly Cost per User	Key Features
Microsoft Entra ID P1	$6.00	Conditional Access, Cloud App Security
Okta Adaptive MFA	$6.00	Risk-based authentication, multiple factors
OneLogin MFA	$4.00	SSO integration, mobile app
JumpCloud	$11.00	Free mobile app, directory integration

To roll out MFA efficiently, focus on these steps:

1. Choose the Right Authentication Methods
   Opt for tools like the Microsoft Authenticator app, which balances security and user-friendliness. Offering multiple verification options ensures users aren’t locked out if one method fails ^[4].
2. Plan the Rollout
   Start with a small pilot group and gradually expand to reduce disruptions ^[4].
3. Secure the Registration Process
   Use Conditional Access policies to require trusted devices and locations during registration. This helps prevent unauthorized access attempts ^[4].

MFA should secure every access point in your cloud infrastructure – not just select departments or teams ^[5]. With these measures, you can block 80-90% of potential cyberattacks ^[2].

2. Use Data Encryption

Encryption is a must-have for protecting cloud data. With the average cost of a data breach hitting $4.35 million per incident, securing data – especially in transit – is more important than ever ^[6].

Why Data Encryption Matters

Using encryption for both in-transit and at-rest data reduces the chances of a successful breach by 64% ^[6]. Here’s how different types of encryption protect your data:

Encryption Type	What It Protects	When to Use
Data in Transit	Information moving across networks	File transfers, email, web browsing
Data at Rest	Stored information	Databases, file systems, backups
Envelope Encryption	Both types with a key hierarchy	Large datasets, compliance-sensitive data

By applying these methods, you can significantly improve the security of your cloud environment.

How to Set Up Cloud Encryption

Platforms like AWS KMS and Azure Key Vault make encryption manageable and effective. For example, AWS KMS offers 20,000 free requests per month ^[7], making it a cost-effective choice for mid-sized businesses.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Pick the Right Encryption Service
   Opt for AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault for enterprise-grade encryption that integrates well with cloud platforms ^[8].
2. Layer Your Protections
   Start with basic encryption and add envelope encryption for extra security. Envelope encryption uses a master key to safeguard data encryption keys, which is especially helpful for sensitive information ^[10].
3. Adopt Security Best Practices
   • Use HTTPS for all cloud transactions ^[11]
   • Set up automatic key rotation
   • Delete plaintext data keys after use ^[10]
   • Apply client-side encryption for highly sensitive data

“AWS KMS makes encryption practical. Instead of worrying about managing keys or writing encryption code, you use KMS to handle it for you. You decide who can use the keys, and AWS enforces those rules.” – Tahir ^[9]

3. Schedule Regular Security Checks

Mid-market businesses can’t afford to overlook regular security checks. In 2023, a survey revealed that 94% of cloud users encountered cyber threats, with over 60% suffering breaches ^[14]. Regular audits help pinpoint vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

Why Security Checks Matter

Taking a proactive stance on monitoring is essential to spot weaknesses early and secure your cloud systems. Aim for quarterly security checks. If your organization deals with sensitive data, operates in regulated sectors, or manages intricate infrastructures, monthly evaluations may be more suitable. These checks work alongside measures like MFA and encryption to build a stronger cloud security framework.

“Rather than waiting for a security issue to occur, we recommend a proactive approach of continuously monitoring security infrastructure and workloads.”
– AWS Smart Business Blog ^[12]

Security Check Software Options

Automated tools can simplify and enhance ongoing security monitoring. Here are three tools to consider:

• AWS Security Hub
  This AWS-native service consolidates security alerts and automates compliance checks. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Amazon GuardDuty and Amazon Inspector ^[12].
• SentinelOne
  SentinelOne offers CNAPP and vulnerability management features. Amit Dhawan, CISO at Quantiphi, highlights its reliability: “The major change the SentinelOne brings is the assurance that things are working fine.” ^[14]
• Amazon Security Lake
  Designed for hybrid cloud setups, this tool creates a centralized data lake by merging logs from AWS and on-premises systems. It helps identify anomalies and investigate suspicious activities ^[12].

To get the most out of your security checks:

• Document vulnerabilities and address them quickly.
• Use a mix of internal and external security reviews.
• Build a centralized security data repository.
• Run automated scans to identify weak points.
• Perform regular penetration testing.

4. Control User Access

In addition to using MFA and encryption, managing user access effectively is a key layer of cloud security. Gartner reports that companies without centralized SaaS lifecycle management face a fivefold increase in the risk of cyber incidents or data loss due to misconfigurations ^[16].

Limiting User Permissions

The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) is a simple but powerful way to control access. This means users only get the permissions they absolutely need.

Some practical steps include:

• Centralizing access management: Use one unified system to manage access.
• Automating provisioning: Adjust permissions automatically as roles change.
• Conducting regular audits: Review and remove unnecessary permissions every quarter.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) can take this a step further by organizing permissions based on job roles, making management easier.

Setting Up Role-Based Access

RBAC simplifies access control by assigning permissions based on job functions. It’s now a standard approach for managing access efficiently ^[15].

Here’s how companies often structure RBAC:

Access Level	Typical Permissions	Example Roles
Basic	Read-only access to non-sensitive data	Junior analysts, interns
Standard	Read/write access to department resources	Team leads, developers
Administrative	Full access to specific systems	Department managers
Super Admin	Complete system access	IT administrators

“Okta Access Gateway was the right technology for transforming our legacy authentication infrastructure without disrupting the legacy systems” ^[17].

To make RBAC work even better:

• Define clear roles: Create a structured hierarchy that fits your organization.
• Automate workflows: Use systems to handle provisioning and deprovisioning.
• Monitor activity: Keep an eye on logs to catch potential issues quickly.

“We have one place where we can validate our security posture. Dev teams now have just one token to worry about. They do authentication and authorization in a consistent way no matter where they’re deployed” ^[17].

5. Fix Security Settings and Gaps

By 2025, 99% of cloud security failures will stem from human error ^[18]. For mid-sized businesses, addressing these misconfigurations is crucial to avoid becoming part of that statistic.

Common Security Mistakes

Organizations experience up to 3,500 misconfiguration incidents every month, but only 37 on average are identified and addressed ^[19]. Here are some of the most pressing issues and how to tackle them:

Security Gap	Impact	Recommended Fix
Open Ports	Expands attack surface	Close unnecessary ports and secure critical ones
Unrestricted Access	Puts data at risk	Use a least-privilege access model
Poor Secrets Management	Leads to credential theft	Track secrets and rotate keys regularly
Disabled Monitoring	Leaves blind spots	Enable detailed logging and set up alerts
Insecure Backups	Risks data loss	Encrypt backups and limit access

“The challenge exists not in the security of the cloud itself, but in the policies and technologies for security and control of the technology. In nearly all cases, it is the user, not the cloud provider, who fails to manage the controls used to protect an organization’s data. CIOs must change their line of questioning from ‘Is the cloud secure?’ to ‘Am I using the cloud securely?'” – Gartner ^[19]

Security Gap Detection Tools

Once you’ve identified common misconfigurations, the next step is to use tools that continuously monitor and fix these issues. Modern solutions can automatically detect and resolve misconfigurations, saving time and reducing risks. For example, Lacework helped LendingTree strengthen its security posture and cut daily alerts for fubo from 200 to fewer than 5 – freeing up the team to focus on higher-priority tasks ^[20].

When choosing a security scanning tool, keep an eye out for these features:

• Automated Configuration Checks
  Regular scans can catch misconfigurations before they escalate. Surprisingly, only 28% of companies plan to automate configuration management across all applications ^[1].
• Continuous Monitoring
  

  “If you’re not continuously monitoring, you won’t be protected”, warns Sam Bisbee, CSO of Threat Stack ^[19]. Real-time alerts and constant evaluations are a must-have.

• Multi-Cloud Support
  For businesses using multiple cloud providers, opt for tools that ensure consistent security across all platforms.

To get the most out of these tools:

• Run automated scans frequently
• Set up alerts for high-priority issues
• Maintain detailed logs and address flagged problems promptly
• Keep an updated inventory of all assets in your cloud environments

6. Train Staff in Security Basics

Training employees is a key step in maintaining strong cloud security. With over 95% of data breaches caused by human error ^[21], equipping your team with the right knowledge is non-negotiable.

Building Security Awareness

Security awareness isn’t a one-and-done task. It requires consistent effort and engagement. Here’s how you can structure an effective program:

Training Component	Implementation Strategy	Expected Outcome
Initial Assessment	Risk profiling to find knowledge gaps	Tailored learning paths
Core Training	90-minute interactive foundational course	Basic security understanding
Regular Updates	Short, focused micro-learning sessions	Ongoing skill improvement
Practical Exercises	Simulated phishing and security scenarios	Hands-on experience

For example, KnowBe4 offers enterprise modules with interactive assessments, while ESET’s 90-minute program costs $250 for 10 users ^[21]. If you’re on a tighter budget, Guardey provides weekly challenges for $3.33 per user per month ^[21]. Once awareness is established, focus on these essential training topics.

Security Training Topics

Make sure your staff is well-versed in these critical areas:

1. Authentication Best Practices
   • Creating and managing strong passwords
   • Setting up and using multi-factor authentication (MFA)
   • Recognizing secure login methods
2. Data Handling Protocols
   • Identifying and managing sensitive information
   • Using secure storage and transfer techniques
   • Properly archiving and disposing of data
3. Cloud Security Fundamentals
   • Using only approved cloud applications
   • Managing configurations securely
   • Understanding the role of data encryption
4. Threat Recognition
   • Spotting social engineering attempts
   • Identifying phishing scams
   • Being aware of common attack methods

To keep training effective and engaging:

• Customize content for different roles (e.g., finance teams may need a focus on payment security).
• Run regular phishing simulations to test awareness.
• Use gamification techniques to make learning fun and interactive.
• Provide immediate feedback to reinforce lessons.
• Track completion rates and test results to pinpoint areas needing improvement.

7. Create Emergency Response Plans

When a security incident happens, every second matters. A well-prepared emergency response plan can stop small problems from spiraling into major crises. Recent data shows that 76% of companies experienced at least one ransomware attack last year, and 44% of those targeted backup systems directly ^[24].

Security Incident Steps

Define clear roles and responsibilities to guide your team through an incident. Here’s a breakdown of the key phases and actions:

Response Phase	Key Actions	Team Responsible
Detection	Monitor alerts and assess the breach scope	Security Operations
Containment	Isolate affected systems and block threats	IT Infrastructure
Eradication	Eliminate the threat and fix vulnerabilities	Security Team
Recovery	Restore systems and ensure security	Operations & IT
Post-Incident	Analyze lessons learned and update plans	Management & Security

These steps should align with your existing cloud security measures.

Your plan should also outline actions based on the severity of the incident:

1. High Severity (Critical Functions Unavailable)
   Assemble the response team immediately, cut off attack vectors, and activate communication protocols. Keep detailed records for legal and insurance purposes.
2. Medium Severity (Degraded State)
   Focus on containing the issue while ensuring critical operations continue. Begin forensic analysis to prevent further escalation.
3. Low Severity (Minimal Impact)
   Closely monitor the situation, apply preventive measures, and use the event as a learning opportunity to improve your processes.

A clear and efficient incident response plan should work hand-in-hand with strong backup strategies.

Backup and Recovery Methods

After containment and recovery, reliable backups are essential. Unfortunately, 75% of organizations admit their recovery times don’t meet business needs ^[24].

Take this example: SysCloud supported Verizon in managing data retention compliance, successfully backing up over 10 million files. This effort resulted in:

• 30% reduction in provisioning costs
• 70% savings on storage expenses
• 99.99% system availability ^[23]

“Backups are your best line of defense.” – Veeam ^[24]

To ensure your backups are ready when needed, follow these practices:

• Automated Cloud Backups: Regularly schedule automated backups for all critical systems and configurations.
• Encryption: Protect data both in transit and at rest using strong encryption methods.
• Access Control: Limit access to backups with role-based permissions to prevent tampering.
• Testing: Regularly test backups by restoring them to verify their integrity.

Solutions like Veeam offer tools to assess your backup strategy, including ransomware recovery evaluations, ensuring your approach meets industry standards ^[24]. Also, coordinate your emergency response plan with local services and maintain open communication channels for effective crisis management ^[22].

Keep your response plan updated whenever there are changes to cloud services, security tools, operations, or team structures.

Conclusion

Summary of Security Steps

Recent data highlights that 65% of organizations prioritize cloud security, with Accenture noting that cloud migration can reduce IT costs by 30–40% ^[26].

Here’s how key security practices contribute to building a strong framework:

Security Practice	Key Impact	Implementation Priority
Multi-Factor Authentication	Prevents unauthorized access	Immediate
Data Encryption	Safeguards sensitive data in transit and at rest	High
Regular Security Checks	Identifies and resolves configuration issues	High
Access Control	Minimizes internal threat exposure	Medium
Security Gap Fixes	Addresses common vulnerabilities	Medium
Staff Training	Reduces risks from human error	Ongoing
Emergency Response	Speeds up incident recovery	Essential

These steps provide a clear roadmap for strengthening your cloud security. With their impacts outlined, you’re ready to take actionable steps toward a more secure environment.

Getting Started

Start by focusing on visibility and control. Mohamed El Haddouchi, Director of Solutions & Innovation at Infradata, puts it simply:

“It’s vitally important to invest in visibility within your security set-up, as you can’t protect something that you can’t see” ^[13].

Modern tools make this easier than ever. For instance, Lacework users report seeing results within just one week, cutting daily security alerts from over 200 to only a few ^[20]. This kind of efficiency ensures strong security without disrupting operations.

“When you prioritize vulnerabilities, you tackle threats in order of criticality, addressing those that pose the greatest risk to your organization first. Strategic prioritization makes better use of your limited resources” ^[25].

To get started, consider these steps:

• Deploy cloud-native security services for immediate protection.
• Build a governance framework using standards like NIST CSF or ISO 27001.
• Set up centralized logging with tools such as AWS CloudWatch or Azure Monitor ^[26].

It’s worth noting that 63% of organizations have already adopted zero-trust strategies ^[26]. While tools and frameworks are readily available, success depends on a systematic approach and consistent upkeep.

Consolidating your security tools can also streamline efforts. Mark Smith, Director of Infrastructure at Discord, shares his experience:

“With Cloudflare, we can rest easy knowing every request to our critical apps is evaluated for identity and context – a true Zero Trust approach” ^[27].

Examples like this highlight the importance of using proven platforms to simplify and enhance your security strategy.