cloud service provider evaluation

[Blog] Key areas in evaluating a cloud service provider

How to evaluate a cloud service provider?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud services are not already a “tabu” for the pharma industry. In fact, despite the established notion that the pharmaceuticals prefer services and solutions that are on-premises, nowadays they are strongly focused on using new technologies.  The innovative solutions are gaining the trust of the pharma industry with their unprecedented benefits. There are already a number of companies on the market that offer cloud services. The process of choosing the right cloud provider is just as complex as choosing a Track & trace provider. SoftGroup has identified the key criteria to consider when you choose your cloud services provider. The performance of each criteria can be used to make an assessment of the overall performance of the cloud vendor. Check out the full list  >>

 

 

Easy administration

 

Like any other new technology in manufacturing, serialization software as cloud servicehas to be easy enough to implement and use, so as not to cause unnecessary disruption or slowdown in the production process. Especially, if the companies are with more employees (500-999), easy administration is the key selection criteria.

 

 

Secure communication

 

Every third company has suffered economic damage from cloud attacks. Regarding this, securing sensitive information is a primary concern. In this regard, it is important to clarify that “Cloud security is a shared responsibility”. It is therefore advisable for each cloud provider to develop and provide the client with a security plan in which to distinguish clearly its responsibilities and those of the customer. By following this plan, a possible cloud attack can be prevented. More, the supply chain visibility is more than important for the pharmaceuticals – for this purpose they need credible traceability technology. The track and trace software has to ensure secured communication among the business partners and subcontractors (MAHs/CMOs and 3PLs).

 

 

Security functions of the cloud provider

 

The security functions of the cloud provider can be defined as follows:

 

Centralized Infrastructure

Cloud-native applications integration

Web applications security and protection

Security automation

 

Each function is responsible for a different aspect of the process, ensuring the security and visibility of the cloud services.

 

 

Secure access

 

The existence of secure access helps with the protection of corporate resources from un unauthorized access, network-based attacks and lateral movement. Be aware of the secure access process and how your network is preventing an unauthorized use / access.

 

 

Encryption of serialization and aggregation data

 

Serialization and aggregation data encryption is a key in the process of protection sensitive and private data from disclosure of data or irretrievable loss. To have this in hand is a key in mitigating potential security threats. The chosen cloud provider has to ensure as the encryption of data, as to be in compliance with the regulations and requirements for serialization and aggregation worldwide.

 

 

Data protection and General data protection certification

 

In general, the GDPR is related with acceptance of privacy principles which strengthens the security requirements. The cloud provider has to have built practices to take into advance the notice and consent, technical and operational security measures, and cross-border data flow mechanisms.