Page 37 - Cyber Defense eMagazine August 2023

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Implementing BYOK requires a transfer of control to the data owner, which includes greater responsibility
over data and keys. The CSP must enable key generation and provide a reliable mechanism for
protecting data in the cloud environment.

The meaning of BYOK varies among different CSPs and not all BYOK options may be fully compatible
with CSPs. Therefore, conducting extensive research in the initial stages of finding a BYOK solution is
crucial to avoid wasting time on meetings with vendors who may not meet one's requirements.

There are additional expenses associated with setting up and managing BYOK. Depending on the level
of service provided by the vendor, additional staff may be required to maintain the system. Organizations
may also need to invest in HSMs, which can increase costs.

Three questions you need to answer

While cloud computing undeniably offers a plethora of benefits and efficiencies for organizations, it
simultaneously creates new security concerns. For organizations looking to leverage a BYOK security
strategy, there are a few key considerations:

1. Is the service user friendly?

It might seem an obvious point, but most organizational encryption strategies are run by the organization’s
Chief Security Officer, who is typically not an expert in cryptographic encryption. It is important to ensure
that whoever is responsible for the encryption strategy can understand and leverage the service without
issues.

2. Does the service use hardware security modules?

By using hardware security modules as the foundation for data security, organizations can safely store,
manage and push their own encryption keys. This provides added peace of mind in a rapidly evolving
digital landscape. Being rooted on hardware security modules provides an extra layer of protection
against unauthorized access from third parties.

3. Does the service include key movement tracking?

Some services cover key movement tracking requirements with time stamps and the identity of users
administrating keys. This is vital for setting up comfortable audits to meet regulatory compliance
standards.

BYOK can reduce the risk of data loss during data transfer, but it relies on an organization's ability to
safeguard the keys. It is important to have a strategy for securing, replacing, and retiring keys.

Due to the shift towards cloud technology and the increasing importance of data, all organizations,
particularly those in regulated industries, must adopt a security approach that prioritizes data protection.
This involves incorporating features that restrict access to data and prevent exposure in the event of a
security breach. BYOK is a helpful tool for achieving this goal and has become essential for contemporary
security implementations

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