Cloud certificates

Cloud computing and cloud-based services are now an integral part of modern IT infrastructure. However, many users still know little about the important topic of cloud certification. Yet these offer important advantages for cloud services: for example, they prove to users that a cloud service provider meets certain quality and data protection standards and therefore provide added security.

Cloud certifications play a decisive role when it comes to the reliability of cloud-based services. They enable centralized and automated management of security certificates, ensure that connections on the web are encrypted and also provide developers with a basis for creating secure, scalable cloud software solutions, whether for the management of IT systems, DevOps processes or web applications. In this way, both users and companies benefit from greater scalability and security in the cloud.

STACKIT is a strong platform for companies and a powerful partner that values excellent service as well as secure and transparent cloud services. The company's own offerings and business processes are constantly being developed on this basis. Find out everything you need to know about cloud certifications in this article and find your top solution with STACKIT.

• Cloud storage: Storage space that is provided online. Digital information can be stored, accessed, edited and shared with other people from any location in this type of cloud storage. Cloud storage therefore includes data storage and data management. The cloud service provider is responsible for the technical administration of the servers as well as the hosting, backup and management of all data stored in the IT infrastructure.
• ISO/IEC 27001: Internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It defines requirements for how companies can systematically protect their digital data resources and information and mitigate risks. An ISO/IEC 27001 certificate shows that a company complies with high security standards.
• C5 certificate (BSI C5): The Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria Catalogue is a testing scheme from the German Federal Office for Security. This catalog of criteria requires strict security measures, regular independent audits and transparency regarding data security and resilience. A C5 certificate gives users the assurance that the cloud provider is secure and trustworthy and that the cloud services meet all security requirements.
• GDPR and data security: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU regulation that governs the handling of personal data. This directive ensures that companies process data lawfully, transparently and securely while always safeguarding user rights. Data security includes all measures to protect data resources from loss, misuse or theft.
• Auditing: Independent review (by external auditors) of adherence to compliance requirements. Audits are carried out in the IT area to check whether data protection regulations and security requirements are being adhered to.
• Transparency: Companies disclose details of specific process usage and internal data handling.
• Compliance: adherence to laws, standards and specifications. In the cloud environment in particular, it is important that service providers and users comply exactly with all contractual and legal requirements.
• Multi-location options: Services and file information are backed up and operated at several geographically separate locations.
• Disaster recovery concepts in connection with the cloud and multi-location options refer to various measures and strategies that ensure that IT systems, data resources and applications can be reliably and quickly restored after a failure (e.g. due to a natural disaster).
• DevOps: Combination of "development" and "operations". Specifically, DevOps refers to a way of working in which IT operations and developers work closely together to provide software even faster, more efficiently and more reliably. Teams are networked more closely, processes are automated and modern tools and applications are used. The aim of DevOps is to improve the quality of the software and increase the stability of the systems.

The aim behind the certification of cloud services and providers is to guarantee users certain binding standards and provide transparent proof of these. Trust in service providers is particularly high in the cloud sector, but it is often difficult for customers to understand how the cloud service provider actually works in practice. Especially when it comes to compliance with regulations, reliability and security of cloud solutions. However, certification allows organizations and companies to see which guidelines the cloud provider adheres to, which standards are observed in practice and what quality can be expected from the corresponding cloud service.

Cloud certifications are therefore proof that cloud service providers comply with certain quality, security and data protection standards. They provide guidance and confidence that legal requirements and applicable data protection laws (GDPR-compliant) are being adhered to.

Companies benefit from scalable, flexible solutions that can be individually adapted to their own requirements. STACKIT offers powerful management tools that enable companies to effectively control their resources, transparently calculate costs and centrally manage operations in the cloud environment. The platform offers both beginners and experienced cloud users a powerful service and enables a gradual, needs-based transition to the cloud environment - without relinquishing control of sensitive data at any time.

The most important certifications in the cloud sector include international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, a standard that defines requirements for information security management systems, and ISO/IEC 27017, which specifically describes security measures for cloud services.

In Germany, the BSI C5 criteria catalog and the Trusted Cloud Data Protection Profile (TCDP) are also relevant. They define binding minimum requirements for data and information security that cloud service providers must meet.

There are also various types of certification: While a self-disclosure by the provider is sufficient for some, others, such as the EuroCloud Star Audit or TÜV certificates, are based on external audits and on-site inspections. The main areas audited are data security, risk management, compliance with regulations, encryption and the reliability of all services.

Cloud certifications are very useful because they create transparency and make it easier for users to choose a trustworthy provider. At the same time, they provide companies with legal protection. Nevertheless, they should always be examined critically, as the test procedures and the validity can vary depending on the certificate.

We have compiled several tips for you here for effective certificate management:

• Use automation tools to find out about certificate expirations in good time and to be able to monitor them optimally. In this way, failures are avoided and the administrative effort is kept to a minimum.
• Document and regularly check all certifications, expiry dates and responsibilities. Continuous audits also help to identify incorrectly configured or forgotten certificates and to act in good time.
• Define clear guidelines and specify which certification authorities are used, how long certificates are valid and how private keys are to be handled. Uniform rules prevent chaos and maximize security.
• Always keep private keys encrypted and on secure systems to prevent any misuse in cloud computing.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities, i.e. who in the company is responsible for managing, renewing and monitoring certifications. This prevents confusion and minimizes risks.

Cloud certifications are proof that cloud providers and their products meet binding quality and security standards. They play a crucial role in business because they help companies to select trustworthy solutions for storage, servers and other IT resources. A recognized cloud certification such as BSI C5 or ISO/IEC 27001 enables companies to prove that they have professional management of all cloud services and meet the highest data protection requirements.

Such certifications can be found on more and more cloud provider pages on the web, usually clearly visible through special logos or notices such as "certified by". However, there are various certification procedures that differ from one another in terms of their requirements. It is therefore always worth taking a close look at which certificate a service provider has and obtaining information about what it actually means. STACKIT is a leading German cloud provider that offers companies and organizations comprehensive services and solutions for digital transformation. As part of the Schwarz Group, STACKIT operates its own data centers in Germany and Austria, which meet the highest European security standards, ensuring GDPR compliance and maximum data sovereignty.

With STACKIT, companies can rely on certified cloud solutions, store and process all their data in accordance with the highest security standards and thus minimize risks.

How can cloud certification improve a company's data security?

Cloud certifications significantly improve data security within a company by ensuring audited standards and transparent processes. For a business, this means greater trust in cloud solutions, simpler compliance with legal regulations and more effective protection of sensitive data.

How important are cloud certifications when storing and managing data?

Compliance with certified security standards is particularly important for data storage (cloud storage) and the management of data in a cloud. This is the only way to ensure the availability, protection and integrity of all information and minimize legal risks.

What service does STACKIT offer as a partner for cloud certification?

As a cloud platform, STACKIT offers its business partners comprehensive services in the area of legal compliance and cloud certificates. The STACKIT Cloud is operated exclusively in our own ISO 27001-certified data centers in Germany and Austria. This guarantees that the highest European security and data protection standards - including full GDPR compliance - are met.