5 Cloud Compliance Mistakes Costing Companies Now
Companies can maximize efficiency and position themselves better for scaling when they move to the cloud. At the same time, however, making this change comes with some inherent risks. While a company might think it’s staying compliant and safe, it’s too easy to make missteps that erode trust and chew up time.
Keep reading to learn about five cloud compliance mistakes that are hurting companies, and some effective ways to intervene.
1. Failure to Track Cloud Assets
Do you have a comprehensive list of all cloud assets? If not, you’re risking compliance issues. Yes, database updates can happen quickly, or you may need to set up a new account on a tight deadline and forget to document it. Even so, you can’t afford to neglect noting these updates. Without a full list of all new storage buckets, servers, and other assets, you won’t remember to audit everything, and that puts sensitive data in jeopardy. Fortunately, you can make a simple fix in this scenario. Build an asset inventory where you can automatically update information as changes occur. That way, you’ll account for everything in all parts of the world where employees are working.
2. Loosely Mapped Compliance Frameworks
Even when companies try to adhere to compliance frameworks, including HIPAA, it’s too easy to take a casual approach. After all, audits take time, and sometimes problems take a while to reveal themselves. That’s why it’s smart to invest in carefully mapped compliance frameworks using the best tools. This can save time and provide ongoing monitoring so you’re not missing a step. Looking at cloud compliance tools compared can offer insights into the best match.
3. Drifting Settings and Policies in Multi-Cloud Environments
Your company may rely on two or more cloud providers. But in doing so, you’re engaging with different environments that each have their own security settings and usage policies. These differences can create inconsistencies and room for security lapses. It’s best for businesses to keep the same policies in place for all cloud environments to enable better oversight.
4. Manual Compliance Checks
While many company employees are diligent about monitoring details during biannual compliance checks, it’s always possible to miss something. Audits aren’t always as thorough as they should be, too. And for companies looking to grow, manual audits will be too cumbersome down the road. Instead, companies should opt for automated compliance monitoring that provides real-time alerts when something is wrong.
5. Overly Simplified Risk Reporting
Compliance has more nuance than many companies are willing to admit. And while lengthy reports about compliance checks show that a company is honoring its requirements, those reports don’t always prioritize high-risk items. In other words, a team reading the report may turn their attention to a smaller problem, leaving bigger gaps as is. The solution to this problem is in how teams draw up reports. They should create reports that highlight high-priority problems that teams will know should be addressed first.
Focus on Cloud Compliance
Cloud compliance doesn’t need to be a burden for companies. By embracing automation, mapping frameworks, and tracking cloud assets, companies can take control of their audits. They’ll also help prevent small problems from snowballing into bigger ones. With a better plan, compliance can be a useful, structured process.
