Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 58 | Page 51

SAAD NIZAM , CLOUD SECURITY ARCHITECT , CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES , MIDDLE EAST

Q & A

EDITOR ’ S
WHAT SHOULD SOLUTION PROVIDERS PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN HELPING CUSTOMERS THAT ARE MIGRATING THEIR ON-PREMISES IT INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE CLOUD ?

Companies are increasingly adopting cloud computing in order to take advantage of the benefits that it provides compared to traditional onpremises data centres . The cloud offerings today offer a host of advantages from performance efficiency , greater reliability and availability , cost optimisation , sustainable growth , and chance to improve the overall security controls within the organisation . Businesses are eager to bring more cloud computing and regulated workloads , including applications that manage or contain personal identifying information , financial information or healthcare information . The responsibility for securing data in the cloud is shared between the cloud customer and the cloud service provider .

Cloud-based solutions refer to on-demand services , computer networks , storage , applications , or resources accessed via the Internet and through another provider ’ s shared cloud computing infrastructure . The benefits of cloud solutions to end-users and businesses include increased capacity , scalability , functionality and reduced maintenance and cost for computer infrastructure or in-house staff . Industry pundits share insights on how channel partners can help their customers migrate to the cloud .

SAAD NIZAM , CLOUD SECURITY ARCHITECT , CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES , MIDDLE EAST

That said , the typical cloud advantages can quickly turn into a trap if not managed correctly . The top of the list is cost – with improper controls spending on cloud services can quickly get out of hand . Second a not so efficient and integrated security strategy can lead to bigger issues . Gartner says that “ the challenge exists not in the security of the cloud itself , but in the policies and technologies for security and control of the technology . In nearly all cases , it is the user , not the cloud provider , who fails to manage the controls used to protect an organisation ’ s data . As such , channel partners should help CIOs to change their line of questioning from ‘ Is the cloud secure ?’ to ‘ Am I using the cloud securely ?’ And third , trading innovation with stability – adoption of new technologies does present new point of failures as well new security challenges which should be addressed on priority .
Cloud security has become businesscritical as organisations expand and deepen their cloud presence . Organisations are increasingly moving to the cloud to meet business demands . These organisations want the ability to control their own data and keep it private , protect themselves from cyberthreats and securely connect their cloud with their traditional on-premises network , all while maintaining compliance with regulatory mandates . Solution providers need to ensure a qualitative output post cloud migration which increases flexibility , optimises cost and most importantly , improves the overall security
posture of the organisation . The customer should be able to work more efficiently in the cloud and take advantage of the latest technology without having to maintain its infrastructure . Solution providers should pay attention to help organisations meet these requirements to remain protected in an increasingly complex threat environment . Check Point Software Technologies offers broad and deep multi-layer security to protect customers at all stages of their cloud journey . Through the unified platform of Check Point CloudGuard we offer consolidated security , threat prevention and posture management across all public , private and hybrid cloud environments , assets and workloads from foundational cloud network security and continuous compliance , through cloud workload and cloud applications security ( WAAP ) for containers and serverless functions , as well as cloud intelligence and threat hunting .
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS 51