Protection against modern threats
Nowadays, cloud solutions and their security are becoming increasingly important. Companies worldwide, especially in the IT and SAP applications sector, are benefiting from the numerous advantages of the cloud, such as flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency. However, these benefits also bring new challenges, particularly in the area of network security.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly complex and targeted, which is why companies must continuously adapt their IT security strategies to protect sensitive data and applications. In this article, we take a look at three key components of network security in the cloud: Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS ) protection, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and Web Application Firewalls (WAF).
Agenda:
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- Network security in the cloud
- DDOS attacks
- SSL: Secure communication in the cloud
- WAF
- Solutions of FIS-ASP
- Conclusion
1. Network security in the cloud: an overview
Advances in technology not only bring numerous benefits, but also ever new security risks. Cloud technologies enable companies to work more efficiently and flexibly, but they also open new doors to potential attackers. For this reason, network security measures are essential.
Why is this topic so important?
The threat situation for cloud applications has changed significantly in recent years. Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting vulnerabilities in the cloud as companies store and process more and more critical data and applications there. This also applies to SAP applications, which are often at the heart of many companies.
2 DDOS attacks: risks and protective measures
What is a DDOS attack?
A DDOS attack aims to exhaust the resources of a network or application by flooding it with requests, thereby jeopardizing availability. This can lead to long downtimes, which can not only result in a loss of revenue for companies, but also a loss of trust among customers.
The development of DDOS attacks in recent years:
In recent years, DDOS attacks have greatly increased in frequency and intensity. According to a report by Kaspersky, the number of such attacks increased in 202 3 doubled compared to previous years. In particular, large-scale attacks that use bandwidths of several terabits per second have become more frequent. These attacks are increasingly automated and carried out by botnets consisting of millions of compromised devices. Such developments show that companies need to invest more in modern protection measures in order to cope with the changing threats.
How do you protect yourself?
Cloud providers offer special DDOS protection solutions that monitor data traffic and can quickly detect unusual activities. By using automatic traffic filtering mechanisms, attacks can often be fended off before they affect the infrastructure. The use of content delivery networks (CDNs) also helps, as traffic is distributed across several servers worldwide, thus minimizing the load.
3 SSL: Secure communication in the cloud
Why is SSL so important?
SSL or its more modern version Transport Layer Security (TLS) plays a crucial role in securing communication between browsers and web servers. In the cloud, it is particularly important to secure data transmissions in order to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks or machine-in-the-middle attacks.
Advantages of SSL encryption in the cloud:
- Encryption of data: SSL ensures that all data exchanged between the user and the server is encrypted and cannot be viewed by third parties.
- Integrity and authenticity (protection goals of information security): SSL certificates ensure that the data is not manipulated during transmission and that the user is communicating with the correct site.
Companies that operate SAP applications in the cloud must ensure that SSL is implemented as standard to guarantee both the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data.
4. WAF: Protection at application level
What is a WAF?
A WAF is a special firewall designed to protect web applications from attacks. It filters and monitors the HTTP data traffic that flows between a web application and the internet.
Why is a WAF in the cloud important?
As many companies operate their web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) in the cloud, protection against attacks at application level is crucial. WAFs provide protection against typical attack methods such as SQL injection (SQLi), cross-site scripting (XSS) and session hijacking. They are particularly useful in combination with other security measures, as they can identify and block attacks that target vulnerabilities in the application logic.
Advantages of a WAF for SAP applications in the cloud:
- Increased security: Securing SAP web services and APIs in this way increases protection against exploits and vulnerabilities.
- Adaptability: A WAF can be configured in such a way that it is tailored to the specific requirements and threats of an SAP application.
5. Increased cloud security with FIS-ASP
FIS-ASP can significantly increase security in the cloud for companies by offering comprehensive and customized security solutions. Our expertise includes protection against DDOS attacks with “DDOS out of the box”, the implementation of SSL encryption and the use of WAFs. By using these technologies, we ensure that our customers’ network infrastructure and applications are not only available, but also secure. In addition, we offer „Fortigate-on-Azure“ is a powerful network security solution that is specifically tailored to the needs of companies and our customers.
We are the right partner for companies looking to move to the cloud because we have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of IT security and SAP applications. We also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure that our customers’ security strategies are always up to date and meet the highest standards. With FIS-ASP, companies can take full advantage of the cloud without compromising on security. You can also do a free IT security check at any time.
6. Conclusion
Network security in the cloud is crucial to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive data and applications. Technologies such as DDOS protection, SSL encryption and web application firewalls (WAF) offer effective measures against the growing threats of cyber attacks. The combination of these solutions ensures that companies can reap the benefits of the cloud without taking security risks.
In order to achieve a high level of security, regular security updates, continuous monitoring and the use of customized protection systems are essential. Mistakes such as neglecting updates, inadequate communication security or a lack of monitoring should be avoided at all costs. A holistic approach to network security is essential in order to cope with the increasing complexity of modern threats.
Network security in the cloud will become even more important in the future as companies outsource more and more services to the cloud and attacks on IT infrastructures continue to increase. By offering their customers comprehensive security solutions, companies like FIS-ASP can ensure that the benefits of the cloud are realized without compromising or compromising security.