Cloud security best practices for key institutional data

Threats are always evolving and growing. Information security is still a major concern, according to the rankings made by IT and non-IT leaders in higher education for EDUCAUSE's Top IT issues 2021. Cloud security best practices are taking a huge calling. Data integrity, confidentiality, and system availability are becoming crucial issues. So, if you are running a higher education institute and are worried about the security of your massive data stores, remember, you're not alone.

This blog includes stringent external audits and cloud security best practices or protocols that we follow at Creatrix to protect your key institutional data.

Cloud security best practices - our internal controls and procedures

It is true that information security must support the institution's strategy and promote goals such as student success and graduation rates. There can never be a single static solution for cloud security, but we can reduce risk by making smart, long-term investments in planning, policymaking, auditing, technology upgrades, and education.

1. Data Privacy

We are dedicated to safeguarding the private information of our clients. We take the necessary steps to handle personal information securely and in accordance with the laws and regulations that are relevant. The full scope of Creatrix's data privacy policies is available here.

2. Compliance audits

Regular third-party compliance audits of our security, availability, and confidentiality controls are conducted for Creatrix's AWS higher education cloud offerings. These contain System and Organization Controls SOC1 and SOC2 reports, which are provided to pertinent clients and potential clients under the terms of a non-disclosure agreement to aid in due diligence. We report on the alignment of our information security management system with ISO/IEC 27001:2013.

3. Risk management

Creatrix regularly performs internal business-unit risk evaluation based on the ISO 27001/27002 framework and controls as part of our focus on managing and minimizing risk. We ensure third-party vendors undergo careful evaluation and adequate security controls are in place. The contractual clauses and security requirements are identified and included in agreements as necessary.

4. Security policy

Creatrix's Information Security Policy (ISP) and associated standards are distributed to staff members and pertinent outside parties and are based on the ISO 27001 framework.

5. Management of vulnerabilities and configuration

Creatrix is committed to protecting against unauthorized access and new threats while upholding ecological integrity in our cloud solutions. Our scanning and penetration testing efforts identify vulnerabilities, which are then managed and fixed in accordance with standards.

Our stringent configuration-management program uses endpoint antivirus and anti-malware tools, golden images and configurations, logging and alerting tools, and other tools to monitor system integrity and security.

6. Change management

Creatrix adheres to established policies and practices for change management. For changes to systems, software, corporate infrastructure, environments, and data centers, among other things, we follow thorough requirements, reviews, documentation, and classification criteria.

Our procedure is examined yearly and covers both routine and urgent changes.

7. Data protection and network security

Creatrix Cloud Solutions employs defense-in-depth techniques such as host-based and network firewall technology, application traffic monitoring, and distributed denial of service (DDoS) threats to safeguard customer systems and data against hacking and DDoS threats.

With advanced network threat monitoring, quick response, and logging and alerting technology watched over by security analysts, Creatrix Cloud Solutions offers additional protection.

8. Access management

Access to information, systems, equipment, and facilities are strictly regulated by Creatrix and AWS. AWS describes its data centers as highly secure locations with constantly monitored mechanical, electrical, and life-support systems and equipment to quickly spot problems.

Creatrix complies with established and documented security policies and procedures governing user administration, multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements, password restrictions, VPN access, and corporate security standards. Access to sensitive IT operations is controlled, recorded, and monitored.

9. Secure software development

Security is a crucial product feature and an essential component of the development process. Our coding standards and development standards are based on OWASP guidelines, and security flaws are prioritized and fixed in accordance with the Common Vulnerability Scoring System and stringent internal protocols.

We use DevOps static and dynamic analysis security testing tools, Agile User Security Stories, and manual and automated tools on a regular basis to perform penetration tests and external scans.

10. Incident response

The Threat and Incident Response Team at Creatrix serves as the primary reporting point for incidents that compromise computer security and can help operational managers respond to security-related incidents.

Winding thoughts - Creatrix cloud security compliance

Moving to the cloud can provide numerous security advantages. Cloud vendors and solutions provide valuable processes that many institutions cannot afford to manage on their own, from disaster recovery to email security.

Institutions should first assess their security positions, evaluate their security goals, and prepare their data before migrating to the cloud. Contact Creatrix Campus to know how we follow privacy, security, and compliance in the cloud.