The adoption of cloud services has not only revolutionised the way businesses and organisations store and manage their data, it has also introduced new security, confidentiality and regulatory challenges. Let's take a closer look at what's at stake for businesses and organisations when it comes to cloud compliance.
What is cloud compliance?
Cloud compliance refers to a company's ability to adhere to the specific laws, regulations, standards and directives that apply to their cloud operations and the data they host there. This includes regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), European directives such as NIS 2, and sector-specific security standards such as Health Data Hosting (HDS) certification for the healthcare sector.
In a French and European regulatory landscape that is sometimes difficult to navigate, the notion of cloud compliance has become essential. Today, cloud compliance is much more than a business strategy to avoid sanctions from the regulatory authorities. It represents a real opportunity to optimise operations, strengthen the confidence of customers and partners, and ensure resilience in the face of security incidents.
The challenges of cloud compliance
Shared responsibility for compliance
In cloud environments, the "shared responsibility" model defines a security and compliance framework by establishing the responsibilities of cloud providers and their customers.
The responsibilities incumbent on the supplier or the client company will also vary depending on the choice of hosting in SaaS, PaaS or IaaS mode. In the case of IaaS, for example, while the cloud provider is responsible for the infrastructure, responsibility for managing the data and information shared in the cloud and for the security of cloud zones lies with the customer company.
It is therefore imperative to have a clear vision of who is responsible for compliance on the customer and supplier sides. Regulators can impose severe penalties for non-compliance. For example, breaches of the GDPR can result in fines of up to €20 million or 4 % of a company's annual worldwide turnover.
Because responsibility is shared in the cloud, compliance criteria are crucial when choosing a cloud provider. Asking suppliers for proof of compliance, such as specific certifications and qualifications (HDS, SecNumCloud, etc.), is therefore an essential step.
Reputation and business challenges of certifications
Certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and SecNumCloud qualification by ANSSI can prove that your company is implementing best practice in data security and protection. By offering a guarantee to customers, achieving and maintaining compliance can even turn into competitive advantages for organisations.
In addition, certifications and qualifications are often required for sectors where data is considered sensitive, such as healthcare, banking or public administration.
There are two possible approaches:
- rely on suppliers who are already compliant This strategy allows you to benefit immediately from the advantages of compliance without investing directly in the long and costly certification process. However, even when relying on certified suppliers, the company itself must comply with certain obligations, particularly in terms of configuring services and managing access to data.
- aim for compliance labels for the company itself: this option offers total control over all internal processes and infrastructures, reinforces independence from suppliers, and can increase the value perceived by customers thanks to a direct demonstration of the ability to meet the highest standards of compliance and security. Obtaining these certifications can, however, require significant investment in terms of time, human resources and finance.
Optimising operations
The implementation of compliance measures encourages companies to review and improve their internal processes and technological infrastructures.
By applying high standards of security and data management, companies can identify and eliminate inefficiencies, standardise operational practices and strengthen collaboration between different organisational units.
This proactive approach not only ensures compliance with regulations, but also makes operations smoother, more robust and more resilient, providing a solid foundation for continued innovation and sustainable growth.
Resilience and business continuity
One of the key aspects of cloud compliance is preparing for crisis situations, such as technical failures or cyber-attacks. Current regulations often require businesses to draw up disaster recovery plans and to carry out regular tests to ensure that these plans are effective.
By rigorously integrating these requirements, businesses can develop robust business continuity strategies, ensure the continued availability of their services and protect the continuity of critical operations.
This resilience, built around compliance, enables businesses to minimise disruption, maintain the confidence of customers and partners, and preserve their competitive position even in times of major disruption.