Technology is evolving and businesses are changing their priorities, but one thing remains the same: the need to protect critical information.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many industries to adjust and change. 

Many companies now say that cloud services are much more important than they were before the pandemic. About 55% of companies say that most of their employees will continue to work remotely at least one day a week even after the pandemic. 

Because of these changes, businesses need to invest in a secure cloud infrastructure to stay ahead of the competition.

In 2020, IT leaders faced new challenges in modernizing key infrastructure while keeping costs down and maintaining security standards. 

They took on more responsibilities, kept systems secure, and helped with strategic initiatives. Whether it's moving workloads to a public cloud, using more automation, or making operations less complex, a strong cybersecurity framework is essential.

Not to mention cloud-based computing is changing the working environment for many of us. Once regarded as being useful – but not indispensable – the rise of remote and hybrid working has elevated the value of a cloud intranet beyond recognition.

But, as ever, with changes of this magnitude, there are challenges to address. One of the major ones is implementing robust cloud intranet security. Protecting data is no longer a case of wrapping it in cotton wool confined to the safety of the organization's network.

Against this background, companies are using innovative measures to protect their digital assets, including not just cybersecurity measures, but advanced access control systems as well.

To stay ahead of the curve, we are here to share the latest security trends.

Exploring the Top Trends in Cloud Intranet Security and Access Control

The usefulness of a cloud intranet is beyond question. However, equally beyond question is that such a model opens up a whole new can of worms when it comes to keeping your digital assets secure.

The move to remote and hybrid working for men and women in the workforce is throwing up plenty of challenges, security is one of the major ones. The good news is that the latest technologies are meeting these challenges head-on.

Here are some of the top security trends keeping our cloud intranets safe:

Trend 1: Enhanced Authentication Protocols

The rise of remote work is amplifying the demand for a zero-trust security approach, and there has been a 47% increase in cybersecurity attacks.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the need for robust authentication methods has never been more critical. 

The latest technologies are revolutionising identity verification, ensuring that only authorised individuals gain access to sensitive data.

• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): A security system that requires more than one method of authentication from independent categories of credentials. MFA combines two or more independent credentials: something the user knows (password), something the user has (security token or mobile notification), and something the user is (biometric verification).
• Biometric Verification: This relies on a user's unique characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns, to verify identity. This method offers an added layer of security, making it challenging for intruders to gain unauthorized access.

While these methods can hardly be described as new, their increasing sophistication ensures they retain a place in the top cloud intranet security trends

Trend 2: AI-Powered Threat Detection

Cloud computing is a double-edged sword. On the plus side, the advantages of convenience and connectivity are massive. However, it also represents rich pickings for cybercriminals who are quick to exploit any inherent vulnerabilities.

The threats that these systems face are evolving rapidly and traditional security methods are usually reactive. Effectively, this is shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

This is where AI-powered threat detection is changing the game:

• Predictive analysis: AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data to predict potential threats or breaches, allowing organisations to take proactive measures before an actual breach occurs.
• Anomaly detection: By learning the usual patterns of network traffic and user behaviour, AI can instantly detect and flag any unusual activities, indicating potential threats.
• Real-time response: AI doesn't just detect threats; it can also initiate immediate responses, such as isolating affected systems or initiating backup protocols, minimising potential damage.

AI-powered threat detection is reducing the reliance on methods like blacklists and their associated issues.

• Machine learning (ML) is being used to develop new and more effective ways to detect malware. ML algorithms can be trained to identify malicious patterns in code and behavior that traditional antivirus software cannot detect.
• Deep learning (DL) is being used to develop new and more effective ways to detect phishing attacks. DL algorithms can be trained to identify malicious patterns in emails and websites that traditional anti-phishing solutions cannot detect.
• AI is being used to develop new and more effective ways to detect anomalous network activity. AI algorithms can be trained to identify unusual patterns in network traffic that may indicate a cyber attack.

Trend 3: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Data breaches are increasingly common and carry serious consequences. Managing data access efficiently while still ensuring protection is one of the areas that RBAC is addressing.

RBAC is designed to ensure that employees can only access the data is relevant to them: 

Features of RBAC include:

• Granular permissions: Specific access levels prevent unnecessary data exposure.
• Scalability: RBAC adapts as organisations grow, accommodating new roles seamlessly.
• Audit trails: Clear records of data access enhance accountability.

The rising adoption of RBAC is a testament to its effectiveness.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a security framework that restricts access to resources based on the user's role within an organization. 

RBAC can help to combat cybersecurity concerns for intranet applications by:

• Limiting user access to the resources they need. RBAC allows organizations to define roles and assign users to those roles based on their job functions. This ensures that users only have access to the resources they need to do their jobs, which can help to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
• Simplifying access management. RBAC can help to simplify access management by centralizing the process of assigning and managing permissions. This can save time and resources for IT staff, and it can help to ensure that access policies are applied consistently across all intranet applications.
• Improving security visibility and auditing. RBAC can help to improve security visibility and auditing by tracking which users have access to which resources. This information can be used to identify suspicious activity and investigate security incidents.

Trend 4: Physical Security in Cloud Intranet

Physical security is often overlooked when data breaches are concerned. 

However, a recent report published by IBM notes that 10% of all data breaches are physical. 

This illustrates why physical security methods like advanced building access solutions systems remain relevant to any list of trending security in cloud intranet.

As well as access control, systems advanced physical security systems include integrated cameras and sensors often including AI-powered analytics.

Physical security in a cloud intranet is just as important as cybersecurity. Cloud providers typically have strong physical security measures in place, but organizations should also take steps to protect their own cloud assets.

Here are some tips for physical security in a cloud intranet:

• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts. This will help to prevent unauthorized access to your cloud intranet, even if someone is able to gain physical access to your devices.
• Keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches. This will help to close any known security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
• Use a firewall to restrict access to your cloud intranet. This will help to prevent unauthorized users from being able to connect to your network.
• Use a VPN to encrypt traffic between your devices and your cloud intranet. This will help to protect your data from being intercepted by attackers.
• Be careful about what information you share on your cloud intranet. Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as customer data or financial information, unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Educate your employees about cloud security best practices. This will help them to avoid making mistakes that could put your cloud intranet at risk.

Trend 5: Integration with External Security Solutions

Keeping data safe is resource-hungry and can affect operational efficiency. 

This is why many organisations are increasingly turning to third-party tools. These external solutions offer specialised protection, filling gaps that might exist in native security measures.

By seamlessly integrating tools like firewall management, intrusion detection systems, and access control platforms, companies can create a multi-layered defense against threats. 

Advantages include:

• Compatibility: Ensuring third-party tools work harmoniously with existing systems.
• Enhanced monitoring: External solutions often bring advanced monitoring capabilities, providing real-time threat alerts.

This outsourcing of security offers enhanced protection but also allows IT teams to be more focused on the functionality and efficiency of the cloud infrastructure.

Security Trends Keeping Your Head Out of the Clouds

It is easy to keep your head in the clouds and hope the worst doesn't happen. 

However, while the benefits of cloud intranet solutions are enormous and numerous, the challenge of security needs to be a priority.

The good news is that the trending security methods for cloud computing are evolving rapidly, ensuring robust protection for our ever-expanding digital landscapes.

Wrapping up

It's evident that 2023 has brought about lasting changes in the way business is conducted. What's equally clear is that adopting a security-first approach can significantly reduce complexity while fostering innovation. 

With the appropriate tools at their disposal, organizations can automate security measures, mitigate human errors, and reduce expenses. 

Furthermore, as remote work and cloud computing continue to be the standard, senior IT leaders will play an increasingly vital role in shaping a more secure future for their businesses in the years ahead.