In today’s digitally driven economy, organizations are rapidly elevating their operations into the cloud—drawn by the promise of scalability, speed, and transformative capability. Cloud platforms have become the modern engine rooms of business innovation, empowering teams to build, grow, and compete with unprecedented agility. Yet as technology expands its wings, compliance tightens its grip.

Navigating the cloud is no longer just a technical exercise; it is a regulated journey. From global standards to local data governance laws, organizations must operate with precision, stewardship, and a clear understanding of their responsibilities. Compliance is both a shield and compass—guarding sensitive information while guiding businesses toward responsible and secure cloud adoption.

Cloud Compliance

Cloud compliance is the process of adhering to laws and standards that govern data protection, security, and privacy. Unlike traditional on-premises environments, cloud systems introduce additional considerations due to distributed data storage and shared infrastructure models.

• Cloud compliance typically involves:
• Securing data at rest and in transit
• Ensuring data residency
• Maintaining access controls and audit trails
• Demonstrating adherence to regular assessments

Shared Responsibility Model

At the heart of cloud compliance lies the Shared Responsibility Model, which defines the division of obligations between the cloud provider and the customer. 

• Cloud Service Provider (CSP): Secures the underlying infrastructure, hardware, and foundational network. 
• Customer: Secures access, identity, configurations, workloads, and all organizational data.

Many organizations mistakenly assume that outsourcing infrastructure automatically transfers compliance obligations—but compliance cannot be outsourced.

Compliance Regulations

Compliance frameworks differ worldwide, and businesses must account for where their data resides and the regions it passes through. 

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – EU

GDPR affects any organization processing EU citizens’ personal data, regardless of where the company is physically doing business.

Cloud considerations: 

• Use of compliant storage regions 
• Data subject access and deletion rights 
• Robust encryption 
• Breach notification protocols 

2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – US

HIPAA governs the handling of patient health information. Cloud-based systems storing or transmitting this sensitive information (ePHI) have to abide by HIPAA standards.

Cloud considerations: 

• HIPAA-compliant CSPs 
• Signing Business Associate Agreements 
• Encrypting ePHI in storage and transmission
• Maintaining strict audit logs and audit trails

3. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

For any organization handling cardholder data. Cloud hosts must uphold the 12 core PCI DSS requirements.

Cloud considerations: 

• Encryption and tokenization of payment data.
• Network segmentation in cloud en
• Regular security testing 

4. ISO/IEC 27001

A leading global benchmark for information security management. 

Cloud considerations: 

• Risk assessments 
• Documented policies and procedures
• Strong access control and incident response 

Kenya-Specific Compliance Regulations

For organizations in Kenya or processing Kenyan data, the following regulations are critical.

1. Data Protection Act (2019)

The primary law governing data privacy in Kenya.

Key cloud implications include:

• Security by design
• Data breach notifications
• Data retention controls
• Fulfillment of data subject rights
• Mandatory DPIAs for high-risk processing
• Registration with the ODPC
• Appointment of a DPO where necessary

2. Data Protection Regulations (2021)

Provide operational guidance for the Act, including registration, oversight, and enforcement.

3. National Cloud Policy (2025)

A policy guiding Kenya's cloud adoption, especially for public-sector data.

Cloud implications include:

• Mandatory data classification
• Alignment with international cloud standards (ISO 27002, ISO 27017)
• Transparency on data location and movement
• Restrictions for sensitive and classified data
• Accreditation requirements for CSPs serving government entities

4. Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018)

Reinforces cybersecurity expectations for all digital systems, including cloud-hosted environments.

Maintaining Cloud Compliance

Compliance is not a box-ticking exercise—it is a continuous commitment to security, governance, and operational discipline. 

Audits

Routine audits reveal vulnerabilities and compliance gaps before they escalate into violations or breaches. 

Robust Access Controls

Implement least-privilege access and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive data and limit unauthorized access. 

Data Encryption

Use strong encryption such as TLS and AES-256 for data at rest and in transit.

Comprehensive Monitoring

Leverage real-time monitoring and audit logs for visibility into user activity and system behavior. 

Ensure Data Residency

Verify the legal obligations associated with the regions where your data resides and flows—especially under Kenya’s regulatory framework. 

Train Employees

Human error remains one of the biggest risks. Ongoing training helps cultivate a culture of compliance and digital responsibility. 

The State of Compliance

As organizations continue their journey into the cloud, compliance becomes more than a requirement—it becomes an essential pillar of operational maturity and digital trust. At ANQAD, we empower businesses to embrace scalable, secure, and transformative IT solutions that meet both global standards and Kenya’s evolving regulatory expectations.

Contact us today to strengthen your cloud compliance posture.

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.