What Should Business Owners Know About Cloud Compliance?

With as many regulation and compliance standards as there are today, it can sometimes be difficult and time consuming to stay on top of it all. As a business owner, you may be wondering how to implement new cloud technologies while ensuring compliance in your cloud-based solutions.

Staying compliant with applicable government and industry regulations is essential to keeping your business running, so you don’t want to overlook cloud compliance. Here is what you should know about the subject as a business owner.

What is Cloud Compliance?

Cloud compliance refers to the process and activities involved in ensuring that an organization’s cloud computing strategy and deployments adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Why is Cloud Compliance Important?

Organizations that use cloud services are subject to the same compliance requirements as they are for on-premises data storage and processing. However, the cloud introduces new complexities and risks that need to be managed. 

For example, data stored in the cloud may be spread across multiple physical locations, making it more difficult to track and protect. Additionally, organizations must ensure that their cloud service providers have adequate security measures in place to protect data.

What Are Some Obstacles to Cloud Compliance?

There are a few common obstacles that organizations face when trying to achieve cloud compliance.

• Lack of visibility: Because storing data in the cloud can spread it across multiple physical locations, it can be difficult for organizations to track where their data is and who has access to it. This lack of visibility can make it challenging to meet compliance requirements without help from an expert IT provider.
• Lack of control: Organizations must also ensure that their cloud service providers have adequate security measures in place to protect data. However, because cloud service providers manage the infrastructure and applications, organizations may have less control over how their data is protected.
• Lack of expertise: With compliance comes the need to understand many different and complicated sides of the tech world. For small to medium businesses, this can be a daunting and difficult task, especially if you are trying to manage your computing and cloud needs in-house.

How to Increase Compliance in the Cloud

There are a few things business owners can do to increase cloud compliance.

• Partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP): MSPs can help you assess your compliance risks and needs and develop a plan to address them. They can also provide ongoing monitoring and reporting to ensure that you remain compliant. Additionally, getting certifications from cloud providers can show customers and regulators that you take compliance seriously.
• Develop a cloud governance framework: A cloud governance framework is a set of policies and procedures that define how an organization will manage its cloud environment. This includes defining who has access to the cloud, what data can be stored in the cloud, and how compliance requirements will be met.
• Implement security controls: Security controls help to protect data in the cloud from unauthorized access and can be implemented at different levels, including the network, application, and data levels.

Envision Consulting Can Help You Be Cloud Compliant!

Envision Consulting is an IT consulting firm that helps organizations assess their risks, develop compliance strategies, and implement controls. We have a team of experienced consultants who can help you navigate the complexities of cloud compliance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you be cloud compliant.