The Big Three: AWS, Azure, and GCP

Let's take a quick look at the top 3 cloud providers and how they approach security:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS follows a shared responsibility model:

• AWS secures the infrastructure (data centers, networking, hardware).
• You secure your data, applications, IAM (Identity and Access Management), and configuration.

Fig 1.0

2.Microsoft Azure

Azure also follows the shared responsibility model, with deep integration into Microsoft's identity ecosystem (e.g., Azure AD).

Fig 2.0

3.Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

GCP emphasizes zero-trust architecture and a strong focus on encryption and automation.

Fig 3.0

Core Pillars of Cloud Security

Here are key areas every cloud security strategy should cover:

1. Identity & Access Management (IAM)

• Define who can do what in your cloud
• Use principle of least privilege — give only the access that's needed.
• Enable MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) for all users.

2. Data Protection

• Always useencryption — both at rest and in transit.
• Use managed key services (like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault) to control access to encryption keys.

3. Network Security

• Segment your networks using Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs).
• Use firewalls, security groups, and network ACLsto control traffic flow.
• EnableDDoS protection to guard against denial-of-service attacks.

4. Monitoring & Incident Response

• Set up log monitoring (e.g., AWS CloudTrail, Azure Monitor).
• Use SIEM systems(Security Information and Event Management) for alerting.
• Build anincident response plan— know what to do if there's a breach.

5. . Compliance & Governance

• Each provider offers tools for compliance with standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 2 , etc.
• Use auditing tools to review changes and ensure accountability.

Final Thoughts

Cloud platforms give you incredible power — but with great power comes great responsibility. You can't assume the provider takes care of everything. Instead, you need to design your cloud with security in mind automate best practices, and continuously monitor your environment.

Start small:

• Secure IAM.
• Encrypt data.
• Monitor changes.

And as your cloud usage grows, so should your security posture.