Cloud security monitoring - definition & overview

Cloud security monitoring typically involves supervising servers, both virtual and physical, to continuously assess and analyze data and infrastructures for threats and vulnerabilities.

Cloud security monitoring solutions rely on automation features to provide ongoing support and assessment capabilities that reduce the risk of costly data breaches. Depending on a company’s hosting platform, some cloud security monitoring is built into application and server hosting, while others are externally added to existing infrastructure.

Cloud security monitoring typically runs concurrently with the collection of log data across servers (similar to SIEM tools) but will alert a server administrator to more than just security or breach information. Cloud security monitoring has a few approaches, including monitoring that is administered through the cloud itself, on-site with the existing security management tools, or through an external/third-party provider.

Cloud monitoring can provide full support and eliminate blindspots for several services and apps, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloudwatch, through a unified cloud solution. Advanced cloud monitoring solutions, like Sumo Logic, can provide instant visibility into AWS services and provide native integrations that will satisfy any local data sovereignty and privacy requirements.

Some of the most important components of cloud security monitoring include:

• Able to monitor large volumes of data and scale.
• Visibility into an application, user, or file behavior.
• Able to monitor, scan and provide updates and security assessments in real time.
• Able to integrate into several different types of servers/applications, including third-party apps and SIEM servers.
• Auditing and reporting of findings across different types of environments (databases, log files, source code, server health, etc)

Cloud security monitoring will make security capabilities easier, cheaper, and more customizable for security organizations. Security solutions will ensure that organizations can safely store and transfer data through the cloud with minimal risk of security breaches.

Below are some key benefits of cloud security monitoring:

• Customizability: Cloud security monitoring solutions will allow companies to replace or integrate their cloud solution into their existing infrastructure. The ability of cloud security tools to fit into any local compliance measures makes cloud security monitoring a safe and flexible option.

• Promptness of response to threat/issues: Because cloud security monitoring tools rely on real-time assessment and scanning, organizations can expect a prompt and timely threat-response process.

• Automation: The ability to automate scanning and monitoring processes will save time and costs for your team by freeing up space so you can focus on other important tasks.

• Knowledge and informed decision-making: Automated, real-time assessments mean your team will always have the most accurate and up-to-date information to inform their decision-making capabilities.
  
  

Sumo Logic provides a cutting-edge cloud security monitoring solution that gives you everything you need in one place. Sumo Logic can easily integrate and provide monitoring capabilities for AWS, Azure, and GCP apps, among others.Sumo Logic provides cloud-native data monitoring and analysis that generates actionable security awareness for your cloud and on-premises environments. Our platform makes it easy for teams to prioritize and investigate security insights within your infrastructure.

How does cloud security monitoring automate incident response?

When an alert is triggered based on suspicious activity or a security breach in the cloud environment, cloud security monitoring solutions automate security incident response by using predefined rules and remediation playbooks to detect and automatically respond to security incidents swiftly and effectively.

How does cloud security monitoring differ for public cloud versus private cloud environments?

Public clouds offer broader monitoring options and tools, often integrated into the service, but they are subject to the shared responsibility model. On the other hand, private clouds provide more control over security measures but require the organization to independently set up and manage monitoring tools and the cloud's security. Both environments need continuous monitoring for threats, vulnerabilities, access control and data protection to ensure the overall security posture.

How can I evaluate the effectiveness of a cloud security monitoring solution?

• Conduct routine audits

• Test your incident response procedures regularly

• Confirm you have visibility into all cloud assets and activities

• Ensure it meets industry compliance standards and regulations

• Verify it covers all aspects of cloud security, including threat detection, vulnerability management and data protection

• Turn on real-time alerting

• Implement continuous monitoring