As more companies work from home the need for cloud services has risen. However, with that rise in active cloud use, cloud security has become a bigger problem than it used to be. Companies are faced with a myriad of threats on a daily basis.
Upgrading your cloud security is one of the ways to prevent most of the cloud security issues. It will take work and it will take companies to give cloud security a high priority to combat the ever-rising problem of corporate breaches and damages.
What follows are the most common cloud security issues and how to fight against them.
Cloud Security Challenges And Risks In Cloud Computing
1. Data Breaches
A majority of businesses have faced at least one data breach in the last year and a half. Then almost half of those companies have experienced a multitude of data breaches. These breaches usually are a result of the following failures:
- Insufficient identity and credential management
- Easy registration systems, phishing, and pretexting
- Insecure APIs
2. Misconfiguration
The source for this cloud security risk is as follows:
- Human error
- Allowing excessive permissions
- Maintaining unused and stale accounts
- Allowing excessive sharing settings, which can lead to sensitive data being overexposed
- Leaving default settings unchanged, including admin credentials and port numbers
- Disabling standard security controls
- Disabling encryption
3. Insider Threats
This can be done by disgruntled employees, contractors, business associates, and even executives. Over half of the data breaches were committed by those who have legitimate access to your network.
While these authorized personnel may not steal the data, they can leave it exposed and let it be stolen by others.
4. Account Hijacking
This is where hackers get access to legitimate personnel’s passwords, and other credentials and then enter your network and steal your data. Also, there is a problem with unsanctioned App use.
Both provide users with access to your stored information and records.
5. Denial Of Service Attacks
This is where someone is using their system to attack another and attempting to prevent service from being rendered. Sometimes multiple systems are used to create the attack.
The attacks have different strategies, such as making too many requests that overwhelm a RAM or CPU, or bandwidth. Some systems employ AI or machine learning to fine-tune their attacks.
The good news is that denial-of-service attacks have been on the decline for some time now but they still pose a risk to cloud services.
6. Malware
This has been a problem ever since the Internet was created. You can include viruses in with malware as they are a top cloud threat.
How To Mitigate These Threats
The following solutions are not exhaustive for each risk.
1. Data Breaches
There are several methods you can employ in defending against these data breaches. One is to establish a multi-factor authentication process and another would be to establish cloud use and permission policies.
Or you can create a centralised logging system that makes it easier for investigators to access logs to get the information they need. You could also hire a cloud access security broker to analyze your company’s outbound activities.
2. Misconfigurations
Continuous monitoring will help detect suspicious changes and enable proper investigation of those changes. To facilitate this option, you need to know what settings have been changed, who made the changes, and when and where they were changed.
Or you could establish baseline configurations and do regular audits to see if there has been any drift away from those baseline configurations.
3. Insider Threats
When you make personnel changes, immediately change permissions to vital data and resources. Another option would be to identify and track all known users of critical data records looking for any suspicious activity.
The latter would require a lot of work and attention to detail as you have to do this monitoring and investigation almost 24/7. You will want to spot malicious activity before it does any damage.
4. Account Hijacking
This is hard to stop but it can be done. One of the first steps would be to implement multi-factor authentication or establish identity and access controls.
Make sure to remove all unused accounts and credentials so they cannot be hijacked and used before you find out. Training your employees on account hijacking should help prevent this from taking place.
Remove unsanctioned App access or implementation is your best move for this cloud security problem.
5. Denial of Service
The best way to handle most of these attacks would be to install a top web application firewall. Or you can implement a content filter and use load balancing to identify possible traffic irregularities
6. Malware
This is a well-known cloud and computer threat that poses a great risk to business operations. One of the best ways to stop both Malware and viruses is to install a top-quality anti-virus software program.
Other options you have available are:
- Regular comprehensive data backups
- Employee training on safe browsing and downloading habits
- Advanced web application firewalls
- Constant activity monitoring
Some Additional Words
For every cloud security issue, there is a good solution. Mitigating these attacks on your vital business data is not that hard if you know what you are doing.
If cloud security solutions are beyond you or your IT sector or you do not have the time to implement these security solutions, then call our company today. Our cloud computing consultants are ready to help you solve your cloud risks and control problems and upgrade your system so that your critical data is protected in the right way.