The significance of cloud technology for businesses has grown manifold over the last couple of years, particularly since the pandemic occurred. As per statistics, the amount of data stored on the cloud is expected to surpass 200 Zettabytes (1 Zettabytes = 1 billion TB). The significant promises of cloud computing, which are remote data accessibility, improved efficiency, and easy scalability, are attractive enough to make you switch from traditional on-premise to cloud-based setup. However, with massive cloud adoption, every business must define a cloud security mechanism against the top threats.
Before you work on building the defense mechanism, it’s time to be aware of the most common cloud security threats and issues, which are as follows:
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Misconfiguration of cloud security
One of the leading causes of data breaches on cloud servers is the misconfiguration of cloud security parameters. You can think of it as analogous to leaving your home’s security system open, which increases the risk of theft. Particularly concerning the cloud, it might stem from inadequate cloud security management.
Many organizations are unfamiliar with securing cloud setups and may have a multi-cloud environment. If each cloud infrastructure has a different security protocol, the risk of security oversight or misconfiguration can leave the cloud-hosted data exposed to attacks.
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Unauthorized cloud access
At the time of deployment, cloud service providers enable different users within an organization to access the cloud-hosted application via secure, authorized credentials. However, since the cloud infrastructure differs from an on-premise setup and is located outside the company’s network perimeter, hackers may try to access it to steal confidential information.
Wrongly-configured security or compromised user credentials can provide attackers direct access to sensitive business information. This can result in both reputational and financial damages for the company.
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External sharing of business data
One of the primary benefits of cloud hosting solutions is seamless data sharing between employees and clients. However, many cloud services also invite an external collaborator via email explicitly or via a link that enables non-secure access to the shared resources.
While data sharing seems like an asset for cloud users, it can give rise to severe cloud security issues. For example, link-based access sharing may make it difficult to control security access to computing resources if they get into the hands of an intruder.
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Insider attacks
A malicious insider who has gained authorized access to a company’s network and sensitive resources is a significant security issue. Once acquired, this level of access can make it hard for any organization to deal with an unprepared attack. While you can set restrictions to the server controls based on an employee’s profile, having an unreliable insider becoming a threat can make any traditional security solution less effective. This is where the significance of careful hiring and employee background checks can act as a shield.
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Accidental loss of credentials
You might have seen phishers using cloud applications as a common pretext for their attacks. Amidst the growing use of cloud-based data and data-sharing services, individuals have become accustomed to receiving spam emails that ask about their account credentials. If an employee addresses such emails and proceeds as asked for, it increases the risk of losing the credentials to cybercriminals.
Such accidental exposure of access credentials can potentially compromise the security of cloud-hosted data and applications.
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Regulatory compliance
Data protection regulations, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, require organizations to demonstrate their ability to limit access to protected information. This may also require creating an isolated part of the company’s network that is accessible only to users with a legitimate need for the same.
Failing to maintain the security of critical information can become a double-edged sword. The organization may face financial loss on one side and legal ramifications resulting from not abiding by the compliance requirements.
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Man-made disaster
Recovering data from an on-premise setup in the event of a disaster becomes a challenging task. The consequences can be even more severe in case of a deliberate man-made attack resulting in hardware or software crashes at the organizational level. This is where cloud hosting seems to be a secure option for data recovery. However, if the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) does not have a disaster recovery plan, it won’t help regain lost data.
Recommended Read: Cloud Disaster Recovery: Importance, How It Works, and More
Protect Business Data and Applications with Verito’s Comprehensive Cloud Solutions
There are several cloud security issues and threats prevailing for organizations globally. But it will not harm your business if you have partnered with Verito Inc. – a trusted cloud service provider offering comprehensive hosting solutions. We have you covered, including all-inclusive security, disaster recovery, or intrusion detection.
To discuss your business requirements, contact us here.
