Summary: Cloud native security protects cloud environments by addressing risks with IAM, encryption, and disaster recovery. Learn key strategies to secure your cloud.
As more businesses move to the cloud, securing cloud environments is more important than ever. Cloud architecture offers great benefits—like on-demand computing power, scalable storage, and software services. However, without strong security, these advantages can expose businesses to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
Cloud native security is the solution. Built specifically for cloud environments, it protects applications, data, and services by embedding security into the design and operation of cloud systems. Unlike traditional on-premises setups, cloud native security handles the challenges of cloud platforms.
What makes cloud native security different? And how can businesses build a strong cloud security strategy? In this article, we’ll explore cloud native security solutions and share best practices for securing your cloud environment.
The cloud native approach allows businesses to scale, manage infrastructure, and deploy applications efficiently while boosting security. Cloud providers handle the security of their platforms, but organizations are responsible for protecting their own resources. This division is known as the shared responsibility model.
Cloud-native security combines practices, tools, and technologies designed specifically for cloud environments. It’s a must for modern security strategies, though creating it from scratch can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, tools like cloud native application protection platforms (CNAPP) make it easier. Features like threat detection, compliance automation, and vulnerability management can help safeguard your cloud environment.
The cloud native approach is all about building, testing, and deploying software quickly and efficiently in the cloud. It began in the early 2000s when on-premises data centers couldn’t handle issues like traffic spikes or delays across regions.
Since then, developers have reimagined how software was produced, moving away from traditional setups. The technologies that came from this change are now the backbone of cloud native systems.
Most cloud native applications rely on these key concepts:
These concepts make cloud environments more agile, scalable, and reliable.
The flexibility of cloud native systems is a double-edged sword. While the ability to scale resources on demand saves costs and improves efficiency, every new resource adds potential vulnerabilities.
The dynamic and flexible nature of containerized microservices increases the attack surface and makes security management more complex. Infrastructure can change several times a day, meaning security must keep up.
Each tool requires proper security configurations to block unauthorized access. For example, network segmentation can limit the damage if one part of the system is compromised.
While cloud native environments bring many advantages, they also introduce numerous security risks. Addressing them is key for protecting applications and data. Here are some common challenges:
Staying secure in cloud computing isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about ensuring the whole house is safe. By understanding and mitigating these risks, businesses can enjoy the benefits of cloud native systems without losing sleep over security concerns.
Even though cloud native security becomes more important, many businesses find it hard to implement the right protection for their complex IT environments. Here are three security challenges organizations may face.
Developers can now quickly create, scale, and modify infrastructure. However, this makes ensuring security more challenging. To address this, security must be integrated into the development process from the start.
Before cloud technology, roles were more defined—developers wrote code, and security teams handled protection. They worked together to decide if a feature was safe to add. Today, such conversations are rare. Developers often lack deep security expertise, so security teams must provide clear steps that fit into the development workflow—without causing delays.
Instead of controlling every aspect, security teams should focus on helping developers to make informed, secure choices.
New technologies like Kubernetes, containers, and serverless frameworks are evolving quickly, and security teams often struggle to keep up. With constant updates and new tools, staying secure can feel like a race against time.
To keep pace, security tasks need to be built into everyday processes. Companies should also work closely with DevOps teams and provide developers with tools that make secure decisions easy and fast.
Cloud native environments bring their own risks, and businesses need to figure out what’s acceptable.
Security teams face questions like:
Balancing speed and security is critical. DevOps teams want to move fast, while security teams focus on protecting assets. It’s not about one team versus the other—it’s about finding the right balance.
By doing so, businesses can protect their cloud environments without slowing down progress.
Securing the cloud is like building a fortress. Every piece is critical to keeping your defenses strong. Below are the main pillars of cloud native security.
Securing your cloud environment requires a well-rounded approach. Here are the cloud security best practices to help your organization stay protected.
Think of secure configuration as setting up the foundation for your cloud. Every cloud service should be securely configured from day one. This means setting up firewalls, access controls, and encryption to block potential threats.
But the work doesn’t stop there—configurations should be reviewed and updated regularly. This ensures that your defenses remain strong as new challenges arise.
Controlling who can access what is critical. IAM ensures only the right people have access to your cloud resources. Use tools like multi-factor authentication and follow the principle of least privilege so users have access only to what they truly need.
The cloud is like a busy highway, and you need barriers to keep threats out. Network segmentation, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems can help stop DDoS attacks, malware, and other risks before they reach your environment.
You can’t protect what you can’t see. Automated tools for data discovery and classification help identify sensitive information. Once identified, encrypt data, enforce security policies, and have robust backup and recovery processes. These steps ensure your data stays safe, no matter what.
Disasters happen—what matters is how prepared you are. A strong HA/DR plan ensures your services keep running during unexpected events, like natural disasters or technical failures.
High availability keeps your systems online, while disaster recovery ensures you can bounce back quickly if something goes wrong. Make sure your plan defines roles, communication steps, and actions to minimize downtime and damage.
Cloud native security is vital for protecting cloud environments. By using the right strategies, you can reduce risks and stay compliant with regulations.
NordLayer is a comprehensive platform that offers cloud security solutions for businesses of all sizes. Here is how we can help secure your cloud environment.
Want to secure your cloud environment? Contact our sales team and request a demo today to see what we can do for you.
Joanna Krysińska
Senior Copywriter
A writer, tech enthusiast, dog walker, and amateur pastry chef, Joanna grew up in a family of engineers and mathematicians, so a techy mind is in her genes. She loves making complex tech topics less complex and digestible. She also has a keen interest in the mechanics of cybercrime.
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