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• Cybersecurity Glossary

What is Cloud Security?

Cloud security is the set of technologies, policies and controls used to protect data, applications and infrastructure hosted in cloud environments from cyber threats. It spans Identity and access management, data encryption, network security, threat detection and compliance, and operates under a Shared responsibility model in which the cloud provider secures the underlying platform while the customer secures their own data, access and configuration. As organizations connect directly to the cloud, secure access technologies such as SASE have become central to protecting that traffic. This page explains how cloud security works, the shared responsibility model, the main risks and controls, and how Teldat helps secure cloud access with be.Safe Pro.

1Cloud security defined2The shared responsibility model3Main cloud security risks4Cloud versus traditional security5Key controls and technologies6Cloud security best practices7Cloud security and SASE8Cloud security with Teldat9Frequently asked questions – FAQ’s

Cloud security defined

Cloud security is the discipline of protecting data, applications and infrastructure that live in cloud environments. As organizations move workloads out of their own data centers and into public, private and hybrid clouds, the things they need to protect are no longer behind a physical perimeter, so security has to follow the data and the users wherever they go.

It is not a single tool but a layered combination of technologies, policies and practices. These cover Identity and access management, encryption of data at rest and in transit, network security, continuous threat detection, and compliance with regulations. Together they answer the core questions of cloud protection: who can access a resource, whether the data is safe, and whether anything suspicious is happening.

A defining feature of cloud security is that responsibility is shared between the cloud provider and the customer. The provider secures the infrastructure it runs, while the customer secures their own data, identities and configuration. Because users now connect straight to the cloud from branches and remote locations, securing that access has become central, and it is where Teldat focuses with be.Safe Pro, its cloud security service delivered as part of SASE.

The shared responsibility model

The single most important concept in cloud security is the shared responsibility model, which defines the dividing line between what the cloud provider secures and what the customer must secure. Misunderstanding it is one of the leading causes of cloud breaches.

1
Security of the cloud, the provider’s part
The cloud provider is responsible for protecting the infrastructure that runs its services: the physical data centers, servers, storage and the core network. The customer inherits this baseline of physical and infrastructure security without having to manage it, which is one of the real benefits of moving to the cloud.
2
Security in the cloud, the customer’s part
The customer is responsible for everything they put into and do in the cloud: their data, user identities and access, application configuration and how services are used. This is where most manageable risk sits, and where customer side controls make the difference between a secure deployment and an exposed one.
3
The line shifts by service model
Exactly where the boundary falls depends on the service model. With infrastructure as a service the customer manages more, while with software as a service the provider handles most of the stack. In every model, though, the customer always keeps responsibility for their own data and who has access to it.
4
The danger of assumed coverage
Many breaches happen because an organization assumes the provider secures everything and neglects its own responsibilities, leaving data exposed through misconfiguration or weak access control. Understanding the model is the first step to closing that gap, because you cannot protect what you wrongly believe is already protected.

Main cloud security risks

Cloud environments face a distinct set of risks, many of them on the customer side of the shared responsibility model. Knowing them is the basis for choosing the right controls.

1
Misconfiguration
Incorrectly configured cloud services, such as storage left open to the internet or overly broad permissions, are one of the most common causes of cloud data exposure. Because cloud resources are easy to spin up, mistakes scale quickly, making configuration management and continuous checking essential.
2
Weak or stolen credentials
Since cloud resources are reached over the internet, compromised credentials give attackers a direct way in. Weak passwords, missing multi factor authentication and phishing all lead to account takeover, which is why strong identity and access management is a cornerstone of cloud security.
3
Insecure interfaces and API’s
Cloud services are operated through API’s, and if these interfaces are poorly secured they become an attack path. Weak authentication, insufficient validation or exposed endpoints can let attackers access data or functions, so securing and monitoring APIs is a specific and important part of cloud protection.
4
Limited visibility and shadow IT
In distributed cloud environments it is easy to lose track of what services are in use and what data flows where, especially when staff adopt unsanctioned apps. This lack of visibility hides risks and slows response, making centralized monitoring and control over cloud access a priority.
5
Data breaches and leakage
The ultimate risk is that sensitive data is exposed, stolen or lost, whether through any of the causes above or through insider action. Beyond the direct damage, breaches carry regulatory and reputational costs, which is why encryption, access control and monitoring work together to keep data protected.

Cloud security vs traditional security

Cloud security is not simply traditional security moved to a new location; it works on different assumptions. Seeing the two side by side clarifies why cloud needs its own approach. The table sets out the contrast.

Dimension Traditional security Cloud security
Perimeter Fixed, around the data center No fixed perimeter, identity based
Responsibility Owned entirely by the organization Shared with the cloud provider
Location of data On premise, controlled directly Distributed across cloud environments
User access Mainly from inside the network From anywhere, over the internet
Scaling Slow, hardware bound Fast, elastic and on demand
Security model Guard the boundary Zero Trust, secure access everywhere

Why the model had to change: when data and users left the building, guarding a fixed boundary stopped working. Cloud security instead secures identities, data and access wherever they are, applying protection in the cloud close to the user. This is exactly the thinking behind SASE, and how Teldat delivers cloud security through be.Safe Pro rather than backhauling traffic to a central point.

Key controls and technologies

Securing the cloud relies on a set of complementary controls that work together across identity, data, network and monitoring. These are the building blocks of a cloud security strategy, several of which Teldat delivers through be.Safe Pro.

1
Identity and access management
Controlling who can access which resources is the foundation of cloud security. Strong authentication, multi factor authentication and least privilege access ensure that only the right identities reach the right data, directly addressing the credential based risks that cause so many cloud breaches.
2
Data encryption
Encrypting data both at rest and in transit ensures that even if it is intercepted or exposed, it cannot be read without the keys. Encryption is a last line of defense that protects confidentiality across cloud storage and communications, making stolen data far less useful to an attacker.
3
Network security and secure access
Secure Web Gateways and Next Generation Firewalls filter and inspect the traffic between users and cloud services, blocking malware and enforcing policy. Delivered from the cloud, they let branches and remote users connect directly and safely to cloud applications without routing everything through a data center.
4
Cloud Access security and CASB
A Cloud Access Security Broker sits between users and cloud services to give visibility and control over how cloud and SaaS applications are used. It helps enforce policy, spot shadow IT and protect data as it moves to and from the cloud, closing the visibility gap that distributed cloud use creates.
5
Threat detection and response
Continuous monitoring, with detection and response across physical and virtual networks, spots suspicious activity in cloud environments and enables rapid reaction. Correlating signals from many sources gives the visibility needed to catch threats early, turning monitoring into an active defense rather than an after the fact record.

Cloud security best practices

Beyond individual technologies, a set of proven practices helps organizations secure the cloud consistently. These are the habits that turn tools into real protection.

1
Understand your responsibilities
Start by knowing exactly what the shared responsibility model means for each cloud service you use, so nothing falls through the gap between provider and customer. Clarity about who secures what is the foundation on which every other practice rests, and prevents the assumptions that cause breaches.
2
Apply Zero Trust and least privilege
Trust no user or device by default, and grant each only the access it needs. Enforcing strong authentication and least privilege across cloud resources limits the damage a compromised account can do, and matches the identity centric nature of cloud environments.
3
Encrypt data and manage keys
Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit, and manage the encryption keys carefully. This ensures that even in the event of exposure the data stays unreadable, providing a reliable safeguard that operates regardless of where the data ends up.
4
Monitor continuously and centrally
Maintain continuous visibility over cloud activity from a central point, so misconfigurations, anomalies and threats are caught quickly. Centralized monitoring across distributed cloud environments closes the visibility gap and turns scattered signals into actionable insight.
5
Secure access with a unified approach
Rather than stitching together separate point products, secure cloud access through a unified, cloud delivered platform such as SASE. Bringing web security, firewalling and secure connectivity together gives consistent protection for every user and location, which is the model Teldat follows with be.Safe Pro.

Cloud security and SASE

As cloud adoption has grown, the way organizations secure cloud access has converged on SASE, Secure Access Service Edge. Understanding this connection explains how modern cloud security is actually delivered.

1
Security delivered from the cloud
SASE delivers security functions as cloud services rather than on premise appliances, applying protection close to the user. For cloud security this is a natural fit: the defenses live in the same place as the resources they protect, and scale with them, instead of forcing traffic back to a distant data center.
2
Converged functions in one platform
SASE brings together Secure Web Gateway, Next Generation Firewall, Zero Trust Network Access and SD-WAN. Together these secure how users reach cloud and SaaS applications, filtering web traffic, controlling access and inspecting for threats, all as one integrated service rather than disconnected tools.
3
Direct, secure cloud access
With SASE, branches and remote workers connect straight to cloud services with full security applied in transit, removing the bottlenecks of the old model. This is central to cloud security because it protects the very traffic, user to cloud, that traditional perimeter defenses were never designed to see.
4
A consistent policy everywhere
Because it is cloud delivered, SASE applies the same cloud security policy to every user in any location, from headquarters to home. This consistency is hard to achieve with scattered tools, and it is what lets a distributed organization secure its cloud usage uniformly and manageably.

Cloud security with Teldat

Teldat helps secure the customer side of cloud security, protecting how users and sites reach cloud and SaaS applications. Through be.Safe Pro, its cloud security service within a SASE platform, Teldat combines Secure Web Gateway and Next Generation Firewall capabilities, integrated with SD-WAN and be.Safe XDR and operated under European jurisdiction.

1
be.Safe Pro Cloud security service
be.Safe Pro is Teldat’s cloud delivered security service within a SASE platform, securing access to the internet and cloud. It lets branches and remote users connect directly and safely to cloud and SaaS applications, applying security in transit without routing everything through a central data center.
2
Web and cloud protection features
Combining Secure Web Gateway and NGFW functions, be.Safe Pro applies URL filtering, anti malware inspection and application control to cloud bound traffic. It allows or blocks connections by the reputation of sites and applications or by policy, protecting users as they access cloud services.
3
Dedicated private cloud per customer
Unlike shared multi tenant services, be.Safe Pro gives each customer a unique private cloud infrastructure with no shared IP addresses and reserved resources. This enhances privacy, security and reliability, an important distinction when the whole point is protecting an organization’s cloud access and data.
4
Integrated with SD-WAN and be.Safe XDR
be.Safe Pro forms a cohesive ecosystem with Teldat SD-WAN for optimized routing and be.Safe XDR for detection and response, backed by Teldat Threat Intelligence. This unites secure connectivity, cloud web security and threat visibility, giving the joined up protection that cloud access needs.
5
European jurisdiction and central management
Managed from a single console needing only a browser, with a pay as you grow model and points of presence across five continents, be.Safe Pro is operated under European jurisdiction. For organizations concerned with data sovereignty, that keeps cloud access security aligned with European rules.

Teldat’s place in cloud security: the shared responsibility model means securing cloud access is always the customer’s job, and that is precisely what Teldat addresses. By delivering Secure Web Gateway and NGFW as a cloud service in be.Safe Pro, integrated with SD-WAN and be.Safe XDR and operated under European jurisdiction, Teldat helps organizations protect their users and data as they connect to the cloud.

FAQ’s about cloud security

❯ What is cloud security in simple terms?

Cloud security is the practice of protecting everything an organization keeps or runs in the cloud, its data, applications and infrastructure, from cyber threats. Because cloud resources are accessed over the internet rather than kept inside a private data center, they need their own layers of protection: controlling who can access what, encrypting data, monitoring for threats and keeping configurations safe. It is not a single product but a combination of technologies, policies and practices working together, shared between the cloud provider and the customer, to keep cloud environments safe and compliant.

❯ What is the shared responsibility model?

The shared responsibility model defines who secures what in the cloud. The cloud provider is responsible for the security of the cloud itself, the physical data centers, hardware and the core infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for security in the cloud, meaning their own data, user access, configurations and how they use the services. A common cause of breaches is misunderstanding this split and assuming the provider covers everything. In practice the customer always retains responsibility for their data, identities and access, which is why customer side controls remain essential.

❯ What are the main cloud security risks?

The most common cloud security risks include misconfiguration of cloud services, which exposes data unintentionally, weak or stolen credentials that give attackers access, and insecure interfaces or APIs. Others include data breaches and leakage, insufficient visibility into what is happening across cloud environments, account hijacking, and insider threats. Many incidents trace back to the customer side of the shared responsibility model rather than the provider, so strong identity management, correct configuration and continuous monitoring of cloud access are central to reducing risk.

❯ What is the difference between cloud security and traditional security?

Traditional security defends a fixed perimeter around an on premise data center, assuming most users and resources sit inside a trusted network. Cloud security has no such perimeter: data and applications live in shared, internet accessible environments, and users connect from anywhere. This shifts the focus from guarding a boundary to securing identities, data and access wherever they are, using controls such as Zero Trust, encryption and cloud delivered security. It is why approaches like SASE, which apply security in the cloud close to the user, have replaced the old model of backhauling traffic to a central data center.

❯ What technologies are used to secure the cloud?

Key cloud security technologies include identity and access management to control who can reach resources, encryption to protect data at rest and in transit, and network security such as Secure Web Gateways and Next Generation Firewalls to filter and inspect traffic. Cloud Access Security Brokers add visibility and control over cloud application use, while Zero Trust Network Access enforces least privilege. Increasingly these functions are unified in SASE, delivered from the cloud, so distributed users and branches connect to cloud services directly and securely, as Teldat provides through be.Safe Pro.

❯ How does Teldat help with cloud security?

Teldat helps secure access to the cloud through be.Safe Pro, its cloud security service within a SASE platform. be.Safe Pro combines Secure Web Gateway and Next Generation Firewall functions, letting branches and remote users connect directly and safely to cloud and SaaS applications with URL filtering, anti malware inspection and application control. It gives each customer a dedicated private cloud with no shared IP addresses, integrates with Teldat SD-WAN and be.Safe XDR, is backed by Teldat Threat Intelligence, and is operated under European jurisdiction, addressing the customer side of cloud security.

Secure your cloud access with Teldat

be.Safe Pro delivers Secure Web Gateway and NGFW capabilities from the cloud, integrated with Teldat SD-WAN and be.Safe XDR, backed by Teldat Threat Intelligence and operated under European jurisdiction.