Securing Your Private Cloud

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Securing Your Private Cloud
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• Although spending on cloud-based solutions is
  increasing at a very fast rate, security of the
  cloud is still a concern for many businesses
  looking into private cloud adoption. Scalability
  and affordability are two reasons why the private
  cloud is so popular, however, concerns about
  networking breaches are still fairly high.
  Security fears tend to be directed at public
  clouds, but more businesses are now more open to
  private cloud security solutions that they can
  implement.

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• Securing the private cloud in the virtual world
  involves a multifaceted approach. You need
  virus/anti-malware protection, firewalls, access
  controls to make sure the virtual infrastructure
  cannot be brought down by an employee, intrusion
  prevention products to keep hackers out, as well
  as auditing and compliance tools to ensure
  security compliance is always up-to-date. When
  you acquire a private cloud, there are a number
  of ways you can secure the cloud and make sure
  the clouds infrastructure remains secure at all
  times

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• Secure All Files Although it is important to
  use checksum/secure to create cryptographically
  secure specific security files like descriptors
  and manifests that have been pre-checked, it is
  also important to secure the retrieval process
  for the entire archive. For instance, when using
  signatures, make sure it is at every point of
  entry.

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• Implement All Best Practices It is important to
  implement all of the best practices regarding
  security of the private cloud infrastructure. For
  instance, make sure you utilize secure password
  creation and usage for network security.
  Implementing and adhering to a genuine password
  management system with proper randomization is
  vital for ensuring proper data security. Think
  about utilizing a secure password management
  service that provides protection for password
  data and user ID and can flag users that repeat
  passwords over different systems. As well, ensure
  authenticity, integrity, and authenticity best
  practices are in place.

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• Virtual Security for Virtual Services When
  securing the virtual part of the private cloud,
  it is important to be aware that security
  hardware will not always stop an attack. For this
  reason, you should secure the virtual environment
  along with hardware based security solutions.

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• Standard Security Policy All employees who are
  involved with security measures should understand
  the security measures in place and the companys
  security policy so all will be on the same page.
  This will ensure a staff member does not do
  something different that opens up security
  vulnerability. Backup procedures of customer data
  are also intensely scrutinized. Who has access to
  backup data? Does more than one organization
  touch the backup data? Create an incident
  response policy and plan Develop procedures for
  performing incident handling and reporting.
  Establish guidelines for communicating with
  outside parties about a breach. Enforcing
  stringent security processes can help prevent an
  entire disaster.

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• Compliance and Private Cloud Host It is
  important to use a cloud host that offers
  efficient services when it comes to security. For
  instance, it is beneficial to use host service
  that does SAS70 audits and SSAE16 audits. This
  will help ensure you remain PCI compliant and
  HIPAA compliant. Ask the service provider if they
  are PCI or HIPAA compliant. When picking a cloud
  solution supplier, it is important to inquire
  about not just their identity management
  practices, but also background check measures for
  their administrators. You should also ask how
  access to data is controlled.

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• Transitioning to the cloud can often be more
  secure than a traditional in-house solution.
  Cloud providers have collectively invested
  billions in implementing standards and procedures
  to safeguard data. However, it is important for a
  business to be proactive by taking measures to
  ensure complete security of the private cloud
  infrastructure.

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• Private Cloud Hosting offering solution and
  technical information for the large and small
  size companies