What is a cloud service?
A cloud service refers to a wide range of services, such as software subscriptions or storage solutions, delivered from providers to buyers over the internet.
Third-party cloud service providers contract their services to subscribers, allowing them to access various resources without purchasing the hardware or software. Businesses that use cloud services benefit from better business agility, scalability, reliability, and reduced costs.
Many organizations turn to cloud access security broker (CASB) software to add a level of protection between employees and cloud service providers. CASB makes sure companies can enforce security requirements, secure connections, and protect data and devices from cloud-based threats.
Types of cloud services
Most cloud services fall into one of three categories based on the type and structure.
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): Businesses use IaaS solutions to access various components of an IT infrastructure without having to configure and manage the infrastructure themselves. Examples of these resources include networks, storage, and operating systems. Generally, an IaaS solution increases flexibility for teams, allowing them to use new resources quickly without procuring them,m.
- Platform as a service (PaaS): A PaaS solution includes IT infrastructure and middleware, development tools, runtime environments, and database systems so companies can test and deploy software applications. This cloud service enables a range of deployment, from the delivery of simple cloud-based applications to enterprise applications. PaaS comes with many advantages, including reduced coding time, easier development across multiple devices, and more development capabilities without hiring additional staff.
- Software as a Service (SaaS): Most organizations use one or more SaaS tools, typically available through a subscription model so teams don’t have to build their own. With a SaaS solution, the cloud service provider takes care of the infrastructure, hosting, and maintaining the application completely.
Benefits of cloud services
The key advantages of SaaS tools include better collaboration, lower costs, and increased scalability and accessibility. These and other benefits are detailed here.
- Reduced costs and investments: Cloud service providers offer subscription-based services, ensuring organizations pay only for what they need and consume. These pay structures reduce the upfront investment costs required to build, deploy, and maintain infrastructure and applications. Additionally, hardware and software are expensive, and accessing them via the cloud allows organizations to allocate those costs to other needs.
- Increased scalability: Rapidly growing businesses need more resources quickly to accommodate the demand and needs of their team size. Organizations can work with providers to upscale the resources necessary to support expansion. They can also cut back on resources and costs in case it needs to change.
- Enhanced reliability: Cloud service providers offer experience and expertise. Their knowledge helps mitigate and solve issues as they arise. Additionally, many cloud service providers have multiple data centers across different locations to ensure little or no disruption should a center go down.
- Trusted security protections and data recovery plans: Cloud service providers invest in security measures, such as access controls, encryption, and data monitoring, to protect customer data. Many cloud service providers are equipped to comply with industry-specific regulations and seek certifications to meet changing security demands. Cloud services also include data backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure organizations quickly restore their data during loss or catastrophe.
Drawbacks of cloud services
While cloud services has many positives, some challenges still need to be considered.. They include:
- Potential downtime and service outages: Cloud service providers invest in backups and multiple data centers to reduce downtime and outages; however, no system is entirely immune. Technical issues, cyber attacks, and natural disasters can lead to extended downtime and disruptive outages that may impact an organization’s service and customers.
- Internet connectivity dependency: Cloud-based services rely on an internet connection, which means if a connection is unavailable, users may be unable to access cloud services. While connectivity issues may be short-lived, outages can cause severe disruptions for businesses that handle critical services.
- Limited customization options: Companies may not be able to customize cloud service infrastructure and its applications. Businesses looking for custom solutions may need to seek an alternative to a cloud service for more flexibility.
- Security and data concerns: When using cloud services, there’s always a risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential information, and security incidents resulting in data loss. Reputable cloud service providers implement robust security measures and protocols, but organizations still have to prepare for these events.
Best practices for choosing a cloud service provider
Choosing the right cloud service provider depends on an organization’s unique needs, technology requirements, and business goals. Teams should consider some general best practices when choosing a cloud service provider.
- Clearly define and outline business requirements. Before evaluating providers and their services, organizations should outline what they are looking for to find a vendor that meets their needs. Factors like performance, security, scalability, and cost are all key considerations to discuss with relevant stakeholders.
- Prioritize security and compliance. Teams should vet cloud service providers to understand their security features, certifications, and compliance with industry regulations and standards. Organizations need to know how cloud service providers manage business data.
- Evaluate costs. Ask questions about pricing, contract structures, hidden fees, and subscription services to understand the investment fully. Include any related expenses needed to support the cloud service to determine if the service meets budget constraints.
Safeguard cloud environments with cloud security posture management (CSPM).