No longer is business data housed in one place. Business data including customer data, financial data, intellectual property, and business applications may be hosted in public clouds, private clouds, and SaaS applications. While these benefits include flexibility and cooperation, they also present challenges in keeping business data protected from cyber attacks, accidental data exposure, and unauthorized use.
As companies adopt more and more cloud services, the selection of appropriate security solutions is essential for decreasing risk. It is wise to understand what cloud security is and its purpose in protecting cloud-hosted applications, workloads, and business data. The cloud security products listed below vary in approach and should be compared against your company’s security needs and not simply by features.
How Cloud Security Products Help Protect Business Data
There are many security challenges that cloud security solutions help you solve, depending on the kind of environment in which you are operating. For some cloud security solutions, they will focus more on securing cloud workload or cloud applications, while other cloud security products will concentrate on securing identities or data, or helping you gain cloud visibility. Rather than searching for one single platform for all of your security needs, you need to recognize the places where you require maximum protection.
In evaluating the various cloud security products, you should consider several aspects, including supporting various cloud platforms, offering security management across different clouds, identity and access controls, compliance reporting, threat detection, and integration with other security solutions.
1. Fortinet
Fortinet has a comprehensive set of cloud security products aimed at securing data belonging to businesses in a public, private, or hybrid cloud environment. The platform comprises security on networks, workloads, and unified management for enabling consistency of security policies on distributed infrastructure.
The solution is compatible with the most popular cloud service providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Therefore, businesses working in diverse cloud environments can consider Fortinet as a viable choice.
2. Trend Micro
Cloud-native security solutions from Trend Micro protect workloads, virtual machines, containers, and even Kubernetes environments. The platform helps businesses find out about vulnerabilities, keep an eye on cloud workloads, and increase security in modern application environments.
Companies that practice DevOps or cloud-native applications may choose to consider Trend Micro since its focus is on workload security and cloud visibility.
3. Forcepoint
Forcepoint enables businesses to ensure that their sensitive business data is secure within cloud-based applications, websites, and remote workers. The data-driven solution seeks to lower risks of data losses, along with improving the ability to see how data is accessed and exchanged.
Companies managing any kind of sensitive data related to customers, finances, or intellectual property may want to use Forcepoint in their cloud security measures. They have to examine how well it fits within the security solutions currently used by their business.
4. Wiz
In cloud security management, Wiz has adopted the agentless deployment architecture. This involves connecting to the cloud platforms directly and finding out what vulnerabilities, exposures, and misconfigurations exist. Instead of using agents for discovering vulnerabilities and other security issues, Wiz uses one platform that helps users visualize their cloud infrastructure.
The popularity of Wiz can be attributed to its agentless deployment architecture which is preferred by organizations engaging in cloud-native development and DevSecOps.
5. Barracuda Networks
Barracuda Networks offers cloud security solutions to help organizations secure their cloud apps, business emails, and sensitive data. It is popularly used by enterprises who want extra security against phishing attacks, ransomware, and account compromise.
Enterprises that use cloud productivity software will find Barracuda useful for enhancing email and app security. Before implementation, businesses should understand how it can fit into their cloud security strategy.
6. Netskope
The Netskope platform ensures that users, applications, and sensitive data are protected in cloud computing environments. The platform is used to monitor cloud-based software-as-a-service usage and to track the way business data is accessed, shared, and stored.
Businesses with remote and/or hybrid workforces use the Netskope platform due to the combination of security access control and data security capabilities. Prior to choosing the platform, businesses need to consider the degree of its integration with the existing identity management solutions.
7. Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides an opportunity to ensure better security of Azure services while helping to secure workloads on AWS and Google Cloud Platform as well.
The fact that this product has been integrated into the Microsoft environment can be an important factor to consider for companies already using these management services.
8. Sophos
Sophos integrates cloud, endpoint, and identity protection solutions within a single management interface. In addition to making the organization’s security processes easier to manage, this solution can provide greater visibility.
Integration of different security measures is a solution that can be considered by small and medium businesses trying to cut down on administrative efforts. Businesses have to evaluate the cloud protection capabilities against their security goals.
9. Checkmarx
Checkmarx is known to provide application security throughout the software development life cycle. This tool provides support to businesses to find out any vulnerabilities in the source code, open-source software components, and cloud native apps prior to deploying them.
Organizations which implement DevSecOps methodology in their business operations can utilize Checkmarx to enhance the security of their software. Organizations need to look at the aspect of application security within the larger context of cloud security.
10. Zscaler
The Zscaler solution provides cloud-based security through the Zero Trust approach in which the application is connected directly to the user, instead of the corporate network.
Companies considering abandoning their traditional virtual private networks consider Zscaler as part of their overall cloud security strategy. It is important for the company to look at whether Zscaler fits into the existing identity provider system and overall security architecture.
Quick Comparison of Cloud Security Products
| Product | Primary Focus | Best Fit |
| Fortinet | Hybrid and multi-cloud protection | Large enterprises |
| Trend Micro | Cloud workload security | Cloud-native organizations |
| Forcepoint | Data security and DLP | Data-driven organizations |
| Wiz | Cloud visibility | DevSecOps teams |
| Barracuda Networks | Email and application security | Microsoft 365 users |
| Netskope | SaaS and data protection | Hybrid workforces |
| Microsoft Defender for Cloud | Cloud posture management | Microsoft environments |
| Sophos | Endpoint and cloud security | Small and mid-sized businesses |
| Checkmarx | Application security | Software development teams |
| Zscaler | Zero Trust access | Cloud-first organizations |
Choosing the Right Cloud Security Product
Each organization will have varying security concerns, and therefore, when choosing a cloud security solution, it is important to start by identifying the areas where your company faces the highest risk. Companies may want more identity management or perhaps focus on workload security, application security, or securing business-critical data in SaaS environments.
Some areas to consider during comparison include support of your cloud providers, ease of implementation, compatibility with current security solutions, compliance capabilities, and future scalability. A proof of concept may also provide insight into whether the solution meets your needs prior to implementation.
Conclusion
Cloud security measures beyond the deployment of a single security measure must be put in place for the protection of business data in the cloud. The selection of cloud security measures should be done through assessment of the security measures that will protect apps, workload, identities, and sensitive information in the cloud environment.
The security measures presented in this guide come from various strategies in cloud security and their comparison to your organizational infrastructure will help you choose the right strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is cloud security important for protecting business data?
Cloud security allows businesses to secure sensitive information against unauthorized access, cyber attacks, accidental exposure, and data loss, as well as compliance with industry regulations.
2. What should businesses look for in a cloud security product?
Key factors to consider are multi-cloud capability, identity and access management, threat detection, visibility, compliance reporting, tool integration, and scalability.
3. Can cloud security products protect SaaS applications?
Yes. Most cloud security solutions offer some functionality that helps businesses monitor user behavior, secure sensitive information, and increase visibility within SaaS apps.
4. How often should organizations review their cloud security strategy?
Businesses should evaluate their cloud security approach periodically and after major changes in cloud architecture, business applications, or compliance requirements.
