Cloud app security is a shared responsibility between app vendors and customers

I spent the last couple of days talking to attendees as they visited the Netskope booth at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Orlando and it is clear that security continues to be one of the key considerations for customers moving to Office 365. While there was no disagreement from attendees when it comes to the need to be secure, a number of folks did question why their customers need a solution like Netskope when Microsoft has already gone to great lengths to secure Office 365? This is a good question and one I hear quite often. The answer is simple. Yes, Microsoft had done a great job securing their platform, however, cloud app security is a shared responsibility between app vendors and customers. While Microsoft is covering its end by securing Office 365, customers need to take responsibility and secure the users, activities, and data within Office 365.

Let’s take a closer look at how cloud app security is a shared responsibility between app vendors and customers. This framework not only applies to Office 365, but essentially any cloud application. Keep in mind that there are many cases in which the cloud app is not very secure, so when you have a situation where neither the cloud app vendor nor the customer address security needs, you have a recipe for disaster.

Assuming the cloud app meets enterprise security requirements, below are key aspects of the shared responsibility model.

Netskope helps evaluate cloud app vendors to verify that they are holding up their end of the shared responsibility requirements for cloud security. Office 365 for example is very secure, scoring high on Netskope’s Cloud Confidence Index. Netskope also helps cover the customer-specific part of the cloud app security shared responsibility model with powerful features that span data governance, policy and access control, anomaly detection, forensics, and risk management. This is why Netskope is an essential requirement for safely enabling Office 365 and thousands of other cloud apps.

If you’re attending the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference this week, come by and say hello at booth #748.