Cloud solutions are the technology darlings of today’s digital landscape. They offer a perfect marriage of innovative technology and organizational needs.
However, it also raises significant compliance concerns for organizations.
Compliance involves a complex combination of legal and technical requirements. Organizations that fail to meet these standards can face significant fines and increased regulatory scrutiny.
With data privacy mandates such as HIPAA and PCI DSS in effect, businesses must carefully navigate an increasingly intricate compliance landscape.
Compliance regulations
Compliance varies from country to country. It is important to know where data resides and through which countries it passes to remain compliant.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – EU. Globally speaking, GDPR is one of the most comprehensive privacy laws. It applies to any organization processing EU citizens’ personal data, regardless of where the company is physically doing business.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – US. HIPAA protects sensitive patient data in the United States. Cloudbased systems storing or transmitting this sensitive information (ePHI) have to abide by HIPAA standards. All companies and individuals that have access to any ePHI data are required to be compliant.
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information must abide by a set of compliance regulations.
• Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) – US. Providing a standardized set of protocols for federal agencies operating on cloud-based systems, providers are required to complete a rigorous assessment process.
• ISO/IEC 27001. This is an international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It is widely recognized as the benchmark for cloud compliance.
Maintaining compliance
It is vital that organizations realize that cloud compliance is not merely checking items off a list. It requires thoughtful consideration and a great deal of planning. The following are considered best practices:
• Audits: Shortcomings are easily recognized and addressed to keep your infrastructure in compliance.
• Robust Access Controls: Using the principle of least privilege (PoLP) and MFA.
• Data Encryption: Whether at rest or in transit, all data must use TLS and AES-256 protocols.
• Comprehensive Monitoring: Audit logs and real-time monitoring provide alerts to aid in compliance adherence.
• Ensure Data Residency: Ensure that your data center complies with any associated laws for the region.
• Train Employees: Providing proper training can help users adopt use policies help protect your digital assets and remain compliant.