Cloud storage delivers tremendous cost-saving benefits over traditional data centers, as well as the ability to scale almost infinitely. However, cloud technology has unique security issues and risks as well. The key to leverage a secure cloud is to design an inherently secure cloud architecture that limits the surface of the attack.
According to a report by Snyk, “State of Cloud Native Application Security” cloud security is the major concern for 99% of companies. Although cloud security necessitates a new approach, traditional information security principles remain unchanged. Understanding the specific challenges of the cloud-based infrastructure is the key to achieving this triad.
Here are the top trending cloud security challenges.
Misalignments in Configurations
The leading cause of cloud data breaches is a misconfiguration. Organizations utilizing cloud security posture management strategies are inadequate for the protection of their cloud-based infrastructure. Many organizations are unfamiliar with securing cloud infrastructure and rely on their Cloud Service Provider’s (CSP) security controls to configure and secure their cloud deployments. If the cloud is not configured efficiently it can leave an organization’s resources exposed to attackers.
Also Read: Managed Service Provider’s (MSP) Role in Defending the Organization’s IT Infrastructure
Unauthorized Access to Cloud
Unlike an on-premises infrastructure, cloud-based deployments are remote from the network perimeter and can be more easily accessible through public networks. While this helps employees and customers to gain access to this infrastructure, it also makes it easier for an attacker to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s cloud-based resources. Additionally, compromised credentials and improperly configured security enable an attacker to potentially gain direct access without the organization’s knowledge.
Apprehensive Interfaces/APIs
Customers are frequently provided with a variety of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and insecure interfaces by CSPs. Interfaces and APIs are well documented to make them easily usable for a CSP’s customer. If a customer has not properly secured the interfaces for their cloud-based infrastructure, this can lead to problems. A cybercriminal can use the documentation designed for the customer to identify and exploit potential methods for accessing and exfiltrating sensitive data from an organization’s cloud environment.
External Data Sharing
Many clouds offer external data-sharing options. While this is an easy method to share data it is also a major cloud security issue.
The link-based sharing is an efficient option but the shared link can be forwarded and stolen by the attacker which provides unauthorized access to the shared resource. Furthermore, link-based sharing makes it impossible to revoke access to just one recipient of a shared link.
Malicious Insider Threats
Cloud deployments make traditional security solutions less effective while companies lack control over their underlying infrastructure. An insider has access to the organization’s network and some of the sensitive resources that it contains. Most attackers attempt to gain this type of access, making it hard for an organization to detect a malicious insider.
Also Read: Reasons why Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture Has Become a Necessity for Modern Enterprises
Poor Visibility
The cloud-based resources of an organization are located outside of the corporate network and run on infrastructure that the company does not own. As a result, many traditional network visibility tools are no longer effective in cloud environments, and some organizations lack cloud-focused security tools. This can limit an organization’s ability to monitor and protect its cloud-based resources.
Cloud-based infrastructure differs greatly from on-premises data centers, and traditional security tools and strategies are not always effective in securing it. Nearly 60% of organizations have raised security concerns since implementing a cloud-native strategy. Cloud offers numerous benefits to businesses; however, it also introduces new security risks and concerns. By applying effective strategies, cloud security challenges can be overcome.
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