With nearly 87% of businesses set to migrate to the cloud in the coming months, cloud security challenges will become the focus of digitization efforts all around.
Although cloud services make it more economical to run and manage data centers that are highly scalable and portable, they also present an entirely new set of cyber security threats and concerns.
2021 is becoming a significant year for data breaches:
Earlier this year, hackers breached UN computer networks
214 million records breached of Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
$2.3 million ransom paid by Colonial Pipeline, which carries 45% of the East Coast’s supply of petroleum, diesel, and jet fuel
7 million records were breached of men’s clothing retailer Bonobos
Data of 3.3 million Volkswagen and Audi customers and prospects were breached in Canada and the U.S.
Here are the top 7 advanced cloud security challenges you should watch out for:
1. Misconfiguration of Assets in the Cloud
Checkpoint’s Cloud Security Report reveals that incorrect setup or misconfiguration of the cloud platform is the biggest challenge to cloud migration security. About 27% of IT decision-makers surveyed by TrendMicro in the UK reported having experienced such misconfigurations. Wrong settings while implementing cloud systems can have significant legal and regulatory compliance implications. Misconfiguration of cloud-related applications can also leave your system vulnerable to attacks and leaks. For instance, leaving your clients’ sensitive data on an open Amazon AWS S3 bucket, may allow anyone to read and download it.
Solution
Test your cloud deployment for errors early on and before any major deployment.
2. Access Without Authorization
Weak security implementations can lead to the hacking of employee credentials.
Setting up improper access controls can be another significant cause of unauthorized access. Solution
It is essentia to set up robust identity and access control policies and implement them properly in your chosen cloud.
3. Weak Interfaces
Weak or insecure interfaces, such as APIs that allow third-party applications to connect to your infrastructure, may open a backdoor for hackers and cyber attackers. Outsiders can then exploit these pathways to appropriate money and credit, alter or steal data, and set up a denial-of-service attack.
Solution
Build a secure and robust API infrastructure, minimizing the number of endpoints and rigorously testing these for security vulnerabilities. Implement Authentication and Authorization accordingly.
4. Cloud Account Hijacking
Access credentials given to staff and personnel may be susceptible to theft if your password protections are weak. Identity thieves can then conduct a malicious activity with free rein.
Solution
Use encrypted password keys and multiple authorization levels to grant access. Adding multi-factor authentication can be a very effective tool.
5. External Data-Sharing
Data often needs to be shared with multiple vendors, clients, and other stakeholders. Because your data flows through an essentially external pathway, you need to implement security protocols to ensure that data packets are not intercepted and misused.
Solution
Always use encrypted messaging to share files and documents over the cloud. Make sure to remove unencrypted content left online.
6. Application Threats
Systems and applications built on the cloud have security flaws ranging from insecure lambda functions, improper authorization, and insecure configurations.
Solution
Use a combination of testing methods to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities in your cloud system, such as black-box penetration testing and white-box penetration testing.
7. Foreign-based Cyber Attacks
Attacks originating outside your secure jurisdiction can leave you with no respite to reclaim data or sue for damages.
Solution
Thorough testing of cloud application systems through grey box penetration testing and properly implementing cloud security controls is key to securing your cloud deployment.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made it even more urgent for companies to move to automated systems and work anywhere.
There is no doubt that cloud migration is necessary and critical to business survival. However, it is also vital to address cybersecurity concerns before deploying a cloud service in your organization.
Komodo Consulting is a high-end cybersecurity firm specializing in Penetration Testing, Red-Team Exercises, and Application Security.
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