For almost any company, the question is no longer whether to migrate to the cloud, but how to do it without opening the door to new risks. As Chief Innovation Officer, I have seen that the greatest danger usually does not lie in the provider's technology, but in a misunderstanding: believing that, by moving everything to AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, security comes included.
The cloud can be as secure as your own infrastructure, or more so, but only if you understand what you protect and what the provider protects. In this guide I explain, without technical jargon, what every leader needs to know.
What is cloud security?
Cloud security is the set of policies, controls and technologies that protect your data, applications and infrastructure when they run on cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, SaaS, etc.). It is not a product you buy once: it is a continuous process of configuration, monitoring and response.
The most expensive mistake: believing the provider protects everything for you
Here is the misunderstanding that causes most incidents: the shared responsibility model. In short:
- The provider (AWS, Azure, GCP) protects the cloud: the data centers, the hardware and the physical network.
- You protect what you put in the cloud: your data, access, configurations and who can see what.
The vast majority of cloud breaches do not happen because Amazon or Microsoft got hacked, but because of a poor configuration on the customer's side. You can dig deeper in the AWS shared responsibility model or in the guidance from the Cloud Security Alliance.
The most common risks when migrating to the cloud
- Misconfigurations: buckets or databases unintentionally exposed to the internet.
- Excessive permissions: users and services with more access than they need.
- Lack of visibility: not knowing what is happening in your environments in real time.
- Exposed credentials: access keys leaked in code or repositories.
- Shadow IT: cloud services contracted by other departments without IT knowing.
How do you protect your company in the cloud?
The good news: almost all of these risks can be prevented with the right layers.
- Least privilege and Zero Trust: each user and service accesses only what it needs.
- Encryption of data, both at rest and in transit.
- Continuous monitoring: a SOC 24/7, or a MDR service that detects and responds to threats in real time.
- Endpoint protection (EDR) on the devices that connect to the cloud.
- Ongoing review of configurations and permissions.
- Backups and recovery plan (backup vs. disaster recovery).
If you prefer not to manage it on your own, our cloud security service covers these layers end to end.
AWS, Azure and Google Cloud: does security change?
All three are robust platforms that are secure at the infrastructure level. The differences lie in the tools and how they are configured, but the principle is the same on all of them: the shared responsibility model. Whichever you choose, your part (data, access and configuration) is still yours.
The role of the innovation leader in a secure migration
Migrating to the cloud securely is not just a technical task: it is a governance decision. As Chief Innovation Officer, my recommendation is:
- Define from the start who is responsible for what (internal team, provider and security partner).
- Build security and compliance (LFPDPPP, ISO 27001) in from the design stage, not at the end.
- Choose a partner that gives you visibility and response, not just tools.
A well-managed cloud is a competitive advantage; a poorly managed one is a breach waiting to happen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shared responsibility model in the cloud?
It is the division of security tasks between you and the provider. The provider (AWS, Azure, GCP) protects the cloud infrastructure; you protect what you put in it: your data, access and configurations.
Is the cloud more secure than an on-premises server?
It can be, and even more so, if it is properly configured and monitored. Most cloud incidents are not the provider's fault, but the result of misconfigurations on the customer's side.
What are the most common mistakes in the cloud?
Misconfigurations, excessive permissions, data exposed to the internet, leaked credentials and a lack of real-time monitoring.
Do I need additional security if I use AWS, Azure or GCP?
Yes. The provider secures the infrastructure, but protecting your data, access and configuration depends on you: monitoring, access control and incident response.
Where do I start securing my cloud?
With an assessment of your configurations and permissions, applying least privilege, encrypting data, enabling 24/7 monitoring and having a response and recovery plan.
