Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ColumnsCybersecurityManagementCyber Tactics ColumnSecurity Leadership and ManagementCybersecurity News

Who's Responsible for Cloud Security?

Cloud security is a shared responsibility. Consider these three key questions before outsourcing.

By Steven Chabinsky
SEC1218-Cyber-Feat-slide1_900px
SEC1218-cyber-slide2_900px
SEC1218-Cyber-Feat-slide1_900px
SEC1218-cyber-slide2_900px
December 1, 2018

If your company relies upon third-party cloud providers to support or deliver core services, or to protect sensitive data, it’s crucial to understand that cloud security is a shared responsibility. As one global company puts it, providers are responsible for security “of” the cloud and customers are responsible for security “in” the cloud. With that in mind, here are three questions companies should consider before outsourcing.

 

1. Is the provider’s security suited for our purpose?

Companies should determine their data and security requirements and then review the cloud provider’s website for a compliance page. In addition to touting ISO or SOC certifications, many cloud services describe their voluntary compliance with standards that directly apply to their customers, even when those standards do not otherwise apply to the provider itself (HIPAA, PCI-DSS and Europe’s GDPR are typical examples).

 

2. Does the provider’s advertised security cover the services our company will use?

A provider might highlight having adopted stringent security controls, but fail to express whether they exist for each offering and across all data centers. The question then remains whether your procurement team signed up for the best-in-class treatment (if desired) and, if so, whether the provider is bound to maintain that level of security throughout the life of the contract.

 

3. Is our company able to assess and address its shared responsibilities?

Unfortunately, many customers confuse their cloud provider’s compliance with their own. Just because your cloud provider is certified does not mean that your use of that service meets the same standard.  By way of analogy, consider a hotel with a guard in the lobby, room safes and free Wi-Fi. You decide whom to let into your room, whether to lock your room and secure your valuables, and whether to use a VPN over their wireless network.

In cloud environments, remote providers are responsible for all aspects of physical security and, when offering Platform as a Service (PaaS) or Software as a Service (SaaS), they also are exclusively responsible for implementing proper network controls and maintaining the host infrastructure. On the other hand, in the absence of a fully managed security service, examples of customer responsibilities include data classification, client-side encryption, data loss prevention and, at a minimum, client-side endpoint detection. Meanwhile, providers and customers alike have Identity and Access Management responsibilities (to include account provisioning and implementing role-based access, multi-factor authentication and logging). Although SaaS models ensure the provider takes care of the applications, the same is not true of PaaS solutions where users and providers alike often shape application deployment and their accompanying controls. Finally, customers accept far greater responsibilities when procuring Infrastructure as a Service.

In sum, although moving to the cloud can significantly reduce a company’s security and workforce burdens and exposures, a fundamental principle for managing cloud vendor risk is to understand the differences between (1) when a provider is looking after itself, (2) when a provider is looking after you and (3) when you’re on your own.

 

KEYWORDS: cloud computing cloud security data breach security risk management third party security

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Chabinsky 2016 200px

Steven Chabinsky is global chair of the Data, Privacy, and Cyber Security practice at White & Case LLP, an international law firm. He previously served as a member of the President’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer of CrowdStrike, and Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Cyber Division. He can be reached at chabinsky@whitecase.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Steve Chabinksi

    Improving Network Security and Efficiency with the Cloud

    See More
  • Cyber Tactics

    7 Free Cybersecurity Planning Resources for SMEs

    See More
  • Cyber Tactics Chabinsky Default

    Adjust Your Priorities for Risk-Centric Asset Management

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing