Shared Responsibility Model Explained Simply

Shared Responsibility Model in Cloud Computing

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Who is Responsible for the Data Security Stored in the Cloud? Is it the cloud provider, the user, or perhaps both, with each party bearing specific responsibilities? Understanding the division of duties in this context can sometimes be vague. Cloud providers often state in their terms and conditions that they operate under a “shared responsibility model,” but what does this actually mean, particularly in the context of cloud computing?

What is the Shared Responsibility Model in Cloud Computing?

The shared responsibility model is a framework that delineates the security responsibilities between the cloud service provider and the customer in a cloud-computing environment. In this model, the cloud provider is typically responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure, which includes data centers, networking equipment, and tasks like patching and updating operating systems. They also ensure the availability and reliability of cloud services. Cloud customers are responsible for securing their own data and applications.

How Does the Shared Responsibility Model Impact Cloud Security?

Proactive Security Audits
Users need to regularly conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities within their cloud environment to ensure ongoing compliance and strong security measures are in place.

Effective Access Management
Implementing and maintaining stringent access management protocols is essential. Users must ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data and applications, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.

Employee Education and Training
Users should invest in regular training programs to educate employees about best practices in cloud security. This includes recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and following company security policies.

Regular Data Off-site Backups
Users must perform regular cloud data backups to safeguard against data loss. This ensures that, in the event of a data breach or accidental deletion, critical information can be quickly restored.

What are the Responsibilities of Cloud Providers vs. Users in the Shared Responsibility Model?

AspectCloud Provider ResponsibilityCustomer Responsibility
Data SecurityNoneSecuring data
Application SecurityNoneSecuring applications
Access ManagementNoneManaging and controlling access
Network SecurityEnsuring the security of the cloud infrastructureSecuring network configurations within the cloud environment
Compliance and AuditingNoneEnsuring compliance and conducting audits
Infrastructure SecurityPhysical and infrastructure securityNone
Operational SecurityManaging underlying hardware and softwareNone
Backup and RecoveryNoneImplementing and managing backups
Monitoring and LoggingMonitoring the infrastructure and providing basic logsMonitoring activity and maintaining detailed logs
Incident ResponseHandling infrastructure-level issuesReporting incidents and managing response for user-controlled aspects

5 Must-Check Security Measures to Become a Security Leader

  • Are We Conducting Regular Security Audits?
  • Is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in Place to Ensure Users Have Only the Permissions Needed for Their Roles?
  • Is Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Enforced?
  • Are Employees Adequately Trained in Cloud Security Best Practices?
  • Are We Monitoring and Logging Cloud Activity?
  • Do We Have a Reliable Data Backup Strategy?

Cloudsfer: Your Backup Partner

Cloudsfer is here as your partner for backup—an automated, scalable, and secure solution.
Ready to connect to your cloud system, Cloudsfer can replicate your cloud data daily or weekly, according to your preference, to another external cloud system. It also enables you to restore your data with a single click in the event of a crisis.

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