How To Build a Secure Cloud Infrastructure for Your Business

In today’s digital world, moving fast is important, but moving securely is essential. As cloud adoption accelerates, building secure cloud infrastructure has become a top priority for organizations looking to protect their data, customers and reputation. 

It’s not just about trusting your cloud provider — it’s about having the right tools, strategies and mindset to defend every layer of your environment. In this blog, we’ll break down what it takes to lock down your cloud infrastructure and stay one step ahead of evolving threats.

The basics of cloud infrastructure

At a basic level, cloud infrastructure works through virtualization, which allows physical machines to be divided into multiple virtual machines (VMs) that can run different tasks at the same time. These VMs are supported by cloud services like compute (for processing), storage (for saving data) and networking (for connectivity), all of which are managed through a cloud provider’s platform. Users interact with this infrastructure via a web interface, APIs or automation tools, enabling them to deploy applications, scale workloads or store data.

What is cloud infrastructure?

Cloud infrastructure refers to the foundational technology and services that support computing in the cloud. It includes virtualized components such as servers, storage, networking and software that are delivered over the internet by cloud providers like AWS, Azure or Google Cloud. This infrastructure allows organizations to run applications, store data and scale resources on demand without maintaining physical hardware. Cloud infrastructure is the backbone of modern cloud computing, enabling flexibility, cost efficiency and global accessibility for businesses of all sizes.

As organizations use edge computing — processing data closer to where it’s generated by devices, sensors or users — cloud infrastructure must extend beyond centralized data centers. This distributed model increases performance and responsiveness but also broadens the attack surface. Securing edge workloads requires consistent policies, strong encryption and seamless integration with your core cloud environment to ensure that security doesn’t weaken as infrastructure expands outward.

What is cloud infrastructure used for?

In the real world, nearly all industries use cloud infrastructure for hosting websites and applications. Companies of all sizes rely on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure or Google Cloud to deliver fast, reliable digital experiences that scale automatically during peak traffic, such as an online retailer handling a surge of holiday shoppers. Beyond hosting, cloud infrastructure also plays a crucial role in data backup and disaster recovery, allowing organizations like hospitals or financial institutions to replicate critical data across regions and recover quickly from outages or cyber incidents.

In the world of analytics, cloud infrastructure provides the massive compute power needed for processing large datasets. For example, a retail chain might use it to analyze customer behavior across hundreds of locations to optimize inventory and pricing. It’s also foundational for AI and machine learning workloads, enabling teams to train complex models without investing in expensive local hardware, like a bank developing fraud detection algorithms using cloud-based GPUs.

Cloud infrastructure supports agile software development as well. DevOps teams use it to automate code integration, testing and deployment, enabling rapid, reliable application updates in SaaS companies. It also underpins remote collaboration tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, giving hybrid teams secure, always-on access to files and systems. In the consumer space, cloud infrastructure powers everything from video streaming platforms like Netflix to cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, delivering content and experiences to millions of users around the world. These real-world examples illustrate just how essential cloud infrastructure has become in enabling flexible, scalable and resilient operations.

What are the top cloud infrastructure security threats?

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure to power critical operations, understanding the most common security threats becomes essential. While cloud providers offer strong foundational security, misconfigurations, weak access controls and user behavior can still expose systems to significant risks. Below are the top threats businesses should watch for when securing cloud infrastructure.

• Misconfigured cloud settings. Incorrect security group rules, open storage buckets or excessive permissions can leave cloud environments exposed to the internet or internal misuse.
• Unauthorized access and credential theft. Stolen or poorly protected credentials can give attackers direct access to cloud consoles, APIs or virtual machines, often without triggering alarms.
• Insecure APIs. APIs are essential for cloud operations but can be exploited if they lack proper authentication, rate limiting or access control mechanisms.
• Data breaches. Sensitive data stored in the cloud can be targeted through vulnerabilities, insider threats or weak encryption, leading to costly leaks or compliance violations.
• Insider threats. Employees or contractors with access to cloud systems may intentionally or unintentionally compromise data, misuse privileges or bypass security protocols.
• Inadequate identity and access management. Weak IAM policies, such as overly broad roles or lack of role-based access controls, can lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
• Lack of visibility and monitoring. Without continuous logging and monitoring, suspicious activity can go undetected until significant damage is done.
• Malware and ransomware. Malicious code can enter cloud environments through compromised uploads, infected third-party tools or unpatched applications, leading to data loss or service disruption.
• Insecure third-party services. Integrations with unvetted or poorly secured third-party services can introduce vulnerabilities into an otherwise secure cloud environment.
• Compliance violations. Failing to align cloud configurations with regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA or PCI can result in fines, legal risk and reputational damage.

How to secure cloud infrastructure

As more businesses move critical workloads to the cloud, securing cloud infrastructure has become a top priority. While cloud providers offer a strong foundation of built-in protections, organizations must take active steps to secure what they run in the cloud. From access controls to network defenses, a multi-layered approach is essential to protect against evolving threats and misconfigurations. Below are key strategies for strengthening cloud infrastructure security.

Shared responsibility and built-in tools

Secure cloud environments function under a shared responsibility model — cloud providers secure the infrastructure, while customers are responsible for securing their applications, data and configurations. Understanding this division is critical. Most cloud platforms also offer built-in tools for encryption, compliance monitoring and access control, which should be used as the first line of defense.

Identity and access management

Controlling who can access cloud resources is one of the most important aspects of cloud security. Implement fine-grained permissions using roles and policies, enforce the principle of least privilege and regularly review user access. Strong IAM practices reduce the risk of internal threats and limit damage from compromised accounts.

Data encryption and backups

Encrypt data both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access. Use cloud-native key management services to securely handle encryption keys. Additionally, implement regular automated backups and test restore procedures to ensure data recovery in case of loss or attack.

Multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a critical layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity with more than just a password. Enabling MFA for cloud console access and administrative tools can stop many common account compromise attempts. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce risk.

System updates and patches

Unpatched systems are a frequent entry point for attackers. Keep cloud-based operating systems, containers and third-party applications up to date with the latest security patches. Automate updates where possible and monitor for known vulnerabilities across all environments.

Automated monitoring

Continuous visibility is essential for detecting threats early. Use cloud-native tools like AWS CloudWatch, Azure Monitor or third-party solutions to log activity, flag anomalies and alert on suspicious behavior. Automation ensures round-the-clock coverage and faster response times.

Incident response plans

Every cloud security strategy should include a documented and regularly tested incident response plan. Define roles, escalation procedures and communication protocols in advance so teams can act quickly when a threat is detected. A strong plan helps minimize damage and restore services faster.

Staff training and social engineering

Even with advanced technical controls, human error remains a top security risk. Provide regular training on topics like phishing, secure password practices and handling sensitive data. Awareness and vigilance are key to defending against social engineering attacks.

Network hardening

Restrict network exposure by using security groups, firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs) to control inbound and outbound traffic. Disable unused ports and limit access to management interfaces. Segment workloads with virtual networks or subnets to reduce the blast radius of potential attacks.

Penetration testing

Simulated attacks help identify real-world vulnerabilities before attackers do. Conduct regular penetration testing on your cloud environments, either in-house or through a trusted third party. These tests offer insights into weak points and validate the effectiveness of your defenses.

Continuous security auditing

Security isn’t a one-time setup — it requires ongoing oversight. Use automated auditing tools to continuously assess configurations, monitor for compliance and detect drift from security policies. Regular audits help identify gaps and ensure your cloud infrastructure evolves with best practices.

Secure APIs and third-party integrations

APIs are a critical part of cloud infrastructure, but if not properly secured, they can become a major attack vector. Use authentication, authorization and rate-limiting controls to protect APIs, and monitor usage for anomalies or abuse. Additionally, vet all third-party services and integrations for security risks and limit their access to only the data and resources they need.

Why is securing cloud infrastructure so important?

Cloud infrastructure is a cornerstone of modern IT, giving organizations the ability to move faster, scale smarter and stay resilient in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. By shifting away from rigid, on-premises systems, businesses can take advantage of flexible, cost-effective services that support everything from daily operations to long-term innovation. Below are some of the key reasons why cloud infrastructure plays such a vital role in today’s business environment.

Scalability on demand

One of the biggest advantages of cloud infrastructure is its ability to scale quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re handling a sudden surge in website traffic or ramping up resources for a product launch, infrastructure can expand or contract in real time — no hardware upgrades required.

Cost efficiency

Instead of investing heavily in servers and data centers, organizations can shift to a pay-as-you-go model that aligns spending with actual usage. This reduces capital expenses, lowers maintenance costs and allows for more predictable budgeting.

Improved reliability and uptime

Major cloud providers offer robust availability guarantees and redundant systems across global regions. Built-in failover mechanisms and automated recovery tools help minimize downtime and ensure services remain accessible even during outages.

Faster innovation and deployment

Development teams can build, test and release new applications at a much faster pace thanks to pre-configured environments, automation tools and continuous integration pipelines. This agility helps businesses respond quickly to market demands and customer needs.

Global accessibility

With services available over the internet, cloud infrastructure supports remote work, international collaboration and 24/7 operations. Teams can access tools and data from virtually anywhere, making it easier to serve global customers and distributed workforces.

Enhanced security and compliance

Built-in tools for encryption, identity management and policy enforcement help protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. When properly configured, cloud environments can meet or exceed the security standards of traditional on-premises systems.

Support for emerging technologies

Access to scalable compute and storage resources enables organizations to adopt cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, real-time analytics and IoT. These capabilities allow businesses to innovate continuously and stay ahead of industry trends.

Secure cloud infrastructure can’t be an afterthought 

Securing cloud infrastructure isn’t a one-time task — it’s an ongoing commitment to protecting your data, users and operations in an increasingly complex landscape. By following best practices and leveraging the right tools, organizations can build secure cloud infrastructure that scales with their business while keeping threats at bay. 

SUSE delivers security that scales with your business.

From the foundation of SUSE Linux Enterprise to the advanced automation and visibility in SUSE Rancher Prime, our open, enterprise-grade solutions help organizations simplify operations across hybrid and multi-cloud environments while staying secure by design.

With SUSE Security, you can enable deep runtime protection, zero trust segmentation, and supply chain security from the inside out. Pair that with our SUSE Cloud Platform Security offerings, and you gain full-stack protection from workload to workload—with no vendor lock-in.

Key capabilities include:

• Continuous monitoring and policy enforcement across Kubernetes, VMs, and cloud-native apps
• Secure lifecycle management for applications and infrastructure
• Certified compliance frameworks for regulated industries
• Support for cloud-native security, DevSecOps, and platform engineering use cases

Take the next step 

Explore SUSE’s cloud security capabilities or talk to a SUSE cloud expert to design a secure, scalable cloud architecture that works for you.

Secure cloud infrastructure FAQs

Is cloud infrastructure secure?

Yes, cloud infrastructure can be highly secure when configured and managed properly. Cloud providers offer robust built-in security features, but customers share responsibility for securing their data, configurations and access controls.

Are cloud security and cybersecurity the same?

Cloud security is a subset of cybersecurity that focuses specifically on protecting data, applications and services in cloud environments. Cybersecurity is the broader discipline that includes securing all digital systems, including cloud, on-premises, networks and devices.

What are the key aspects of cloud infrastructure security?

Key aspects include identity and access management (IAM), data encryption, network security, compliance controls and continuous monitoring. Together, these components help protect cloud environments from unauthorized access, data breaches and misconfigurations.