From Strong Passwords To Limiting Access: Essential Cloud Security Practices Every User Must Follow
By Amin Habibi
As India’s digital ecosystem expands rapidly, with startups, government platforms, and everyday users relying heavily on cloud-based services, the need for cloud security has become more critical than ever. Whether it's storing sensitive business data or backing up personal photos, cloud platforms have revolutionised accessibility. However, this convenience also opens new avenues for cyber threats, making security a shared responsibility between cloud providers and users.
Cloud Security: A Shared Responsibility
Many users mistakenly believe cloud security is solely the provider’s job. While providers ensure robust security for their infrastructure, it’s the user’s responsibility to secure access credentials, manage permissions, encrypt data, and monitor activities. Even the most secure cloud platform can’t protect a user who uses weak passwords or misconfigures access settings.
Top Practices to Secure Your Cloud Usage
Security starts with awareness and proactive measures. Below are the essential cloud security practices every user, individual or enterprise, should follow:
Use Strong Passwords and Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Weak or reused passwords are a leading cause of data breaches. Always use strong, unique passwords and enable MFA to add an extra layer of security, especially for admin or root-level accounts.
Limit Access with the Least Privilege Principle
Give users only the permissions they need—nothing more. Regularly audit user roles, deactivate unused accounts, and avoid using shared credentials. This minimises the blast radius in case of a compromise.
Encrypt Your Data, Both at Rest and in Transit
Ensure that all data stored in the cloud is encrypted, and that data in transit (such as uploads and downloads) is protected using HTTPS and SSL/TLS. Some cloud providers even offer customer-managed encryption keys for added control.
Monitor Cloud Logs and Set Up Alerts
One of the most overlooked yet vital aspects of cloud security is monitoring logs. Logs reveal access patterns, anomalies, and potential breaches. Choose a cloud provider that allows access to raw logs, so your security team or tools can inspect them directly. Real-time monitoring and alerting can help detect suspicious behaviour early, before major damage occurs.
Reduce Your Attack Surface Using Edge Security
Before threats reach your cloud environment, you can stop them at the edge. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to hide your origin server and reduce direct exposure. Combine this with a Web Application Firewall (WAF), custom firewall rules, and DDoS mitigation at the edge to block malicious traffic before it enters your infrastructure. This layered security approach keeps both performance and protection optimised.
Keep All Software and Integrations Up to Date
Outdated software or third-party integrations can expose vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates where possible and patch known issues without delay. Don’t forget to update plugins, extensions, and APIs as well.
Back Up Data in Multiple Locations
No matter how reliable your cloud service is, accidents or targeted attacks can happen. Maintain encrypted backups in multiple locations or with a secondary provider. Periodically test your ability to recover from those backups.
Watch Out for Phishing Attacks and Social Engineering
Many cloud breaches begin with someone clicking a malicious link or entering credentials on a fake login page. Be cautious of unexpected emails, even if they appear to come from trusted sources. Train your team to verify suspicious requests.
Cloud Security is a Habit, Not a One-Time Setup
Securing cloud access is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing practice. As cyber threats evolve, so must user awareness and preparedness. Small steps, like reviewing access logs or using a WAF, can make a huge difference.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a government department, or a mid-sized business, cloud security is within your control. By adopting these essential practices and choosing a provider that supports transparency, such as giving you access to raw activity logs, you can build a cloud presence that’s not only powerful but also resilient and secure.
(The author is the COO & Co-Founder at VergeCloud)
Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP Network Pvt. Ltd.
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