Ignoring Cloud Based Risks Does Not Make Them Go Away

Despite the agility and cost advantages of Cloud computing, IT departments have adopted Cloud slowly over concerns of security, privacy, compliance and reliability. While IT remains cautious, business users have fully embraced Cloud based services. Cloud usage in the enterprise today is widespread and uncontrolled; without security and monitoring. Whether Cloud is strategic to IT or not, as long as Cloud based services are being used, IT must manage Cloud based risks. When deployed as a Cloud Service Broker, also known as a Cloud Gateway, Vordel API Server reduces and mitigates Cloud related risks.

Promote the Use of Approved Services with Vordel Cloud Service Broker

Striving to increase revenue, lower cost and raise efficiency, business users are uploading sales, customer and product data into Cloud based services and incurring Cloud related risks for the enterprise along the way. To control Cloud related risks, IT should publish a list of approved services and promote the use of these services. In addition to articulating usage guidelines, improving the user experience is the most effective way to encourage the use of approved services.

Centrally Protect and Manage API Keys & Certificates with Vordel Cloud Service Broker

Cloud based services commonly use API keys and certificates for authentication and signing. Any application looking to integrate with a Cloud based service will need access to the API key and certificate. Distributing API keys from the various Cloud based services to all the consuming applications is error-prone and insecure. It is best to store the API keys centrally at a Cloud Service Broker and delegate key management and signing to the Broker. In addition to key and certificate management functions, Vordel API Server also provides out-of-the-box integration to Certificate Authorities and Hardware Security Module (HSM). Vordel supports both card based and network based HSMs.

Enforce Data Security, Residency & Privacy Policies with Vordel API Server

Business users and application developers generally do not understand the security risks associated with the Cloud. It is all too easy to have sensitive data uploaded into the Cloud, violating data security policies and creating compliance issues in the area of privacy and data residency. Vordel API Server scans messages and data payloads bound for the Cloud against security and privacy policies. Based on the type of data and Cloud service, the API Server acting as a Cloud data security gateway can block, redact, remove or encrypt data before they leave the premises.

Audit and Monitor Cloud Usage with Vordel Cloud Service Broker

Cloud based services are easy to buy by design. Services can be purchased with credit cards, usage can be increased instantaneously and subscription automatically renews. These conveniences can easily lead to waste, neglect and abuse. A number of Amazon Web Service instances left running forgotten for an entire month can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. By monitoring and reporting on Cloud usage, enterprises can negotiate more favourable terms; release resources no longer used and match expenses to projects.