Partner Content: Navigating cloud security challenges with Akamai

Mike Elissen, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Cloud at Akamai, shares his perspective on the evolving threats to cloud security and best practices for maintaining a strong security posture in an increasingly complex environment.

As cloud computing continues to reshape how businesses operate, cloud security is a critical concern. Elissen highlights two primary areas of concern: availability and data breaches. The constant need for 24/7 availability makes enterprises vulnerable to both inadvertent and deliberate disruptions.

"Availability is key. Users need web applications to be accessible 100 per cent of the time, but we see many organisations struggle with scaling during peak demand," Elissen explains.

Misconfigurations and DDoS attacks are common causes of these disruptions, with the latter becoming more frequent and severe as malicious actors attempt to overwhelm infrastructure.

Data breaches are equally concerning. "Breaches can lead to customer churn, revenue loss, and reputational damage," Elissen says. "Organisations need to be proactive in securing sensitive data to maintain trust and avoid heavy regulatory fines, especially with regulations like GDPR."

The impact of regulatory changes

The increasing number of data protection laws, such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in the US have put additional pressure on businesses to bolster their security measures. "Regulatory compliance is no longer optional," Elissen stresses. "These mandates are designed to protect data and the consequences of non-compliance are significant, not just financially, but also in terms of reputational damage."

He advises organisations to prioritise complying with relevant regulations as part of their security strategy. "Preventative measures are always going to be more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a breach," he adds.

Best practices for maintaining cloud security

While technical solutions are essential, the human element remains a critical component of security. "You can have the best technology in the world, but if people aren't properly educated on security practices, it's all for nothing," he warns.

For businesses looking to maintain a robust cloud security posture, Elissen recommends focusing on identity and access management. "You need to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to critical applications and data. Implementing the principle of least privilege is a great starting point."

Modern security practices such as Zero Trust and mico segmentation are also important security practices. "Akamai offers solutions under Akamai's Guardicore Platform that allow enterprises to manage access, enforce policies and secure data across multiple cloud environments," he says.

Cost optimisation in cloud security

With rising cloud usage, cost optimisation is becoming increasingly important for businesses. Elissen explains, "Cloud spend is a significant portion of IT budgets. It's critical to strike a balance between scaling for demand and keeping costs in check. Many organisations struggle with this, especially when unexpected events, like DDoS attacks, force them to scale up."

Elissen encourages companies to focus on optimising cloud costs by leveraging edge-based protection solutions like Akamai's, which can block malicious traffic before it reaches cloud infrastructure. "This helps not only in reducing cloud costs but also in ensuring availability for legitimate users."

The role of distributed cloud

Akamai's distributed cloud model offers a solution to several of the challenges organisations face. "We're extending our services to underserved regions, making it possible for businesses to serve users in areas where traditional data centres may not exist," says Elissen. "This reduces latency and improves security by keeping traffic and threats closer to the edge."

By adopting a distributed cloud approach, organisations can isolate specific services and improve their ability to manage security across multiple environments. "This isn't just about replication; it's about creating smarter, more cost-effective cloud solutions," Elissen adds.

As cloud security threats continue to evolve, businesses must remain vigilant and proactive. "Security is never a one-and-done deal. It requires ongoing attention, regular updates and a commitment to staying ahead of new threats, especially as AI-driven attacks become more sophisticated," Elissen concludes.

The distributed cloud model also brings with it the benefit of only deploying in regions that fit regulatory compliance depending on the needs. Operating only in Europe with the requirement to keep data within Europe, according to GDPR, will make it easier to do so with the distributed model.

With a combination of strong security practices, regulatory compliance and cost optimisation, organisations can navigate the complex landscape of cloud security and ensure the protection of their data and infrastructure.

This article is sponsored by Akamai