Before choosing a CSPM solution, it is important to understand your organization’s cloud security requirements. This includes identifying the types of cloud services you are using, the data you are storing in the cloud, and the compliance regulations you need to adhere to. To do this, you should follow a process that involves four steps.
i. Identify your cloud environment
The first step is to understand the cloud services and infrastructure used by your organization. This includes identifying which cloud service providers you are using, the type of data you are storing in the cloud, and which applications and workloads are running in the cloud. For example, let’s say your organization uses multiple cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), where various cloud services, such as virtual machines, storage accounts, databases, and container services are utilized. Furthermore, your organization may have various applications and workloads running in the cloud, such as web applications, mobile applications, and analytics workloads. Your organization may also be storing sensitive data, such as customer information and financial data, in the cloud. By identifying these aspects of your cloud environment, you can develop a better understanding of the security risks and requirements associated with your cloud infrastructure, which will help you select the right CSPM tool to meet your organization’s specific security needs.
ii. Define your security requirements
Once you have a clear understanding of your cloud environment, you should define your security requirements. This includes identifying the types of threats you need to protect against, such as data breaches, insider threats, and external attacks. You should also identify the compliance requirements your organization needs to adhere to, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA), or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As an example, let’s say your organization is a financial institution that provides online banking services to its customers. Your organization is subject to regulatory compliance requirements, such as PCI DSS and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). Furthermore, your organization is concerned about data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider threats that could compromise customer data and disrupt the availability of online banking services. Based on these security risks and compliance requirements, your organization needs a CSPM tool that provides continuous monitoring, vulnerability management, compliance reporting, and threat detection and response capabilities. Additionally, the CSPM tool must support the compliance requirements of PCI DSS and GLBA, which may include monitoring access controls, encryption, and logging sensitive data.