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As companies increasingly rely on cloud computing to store data, run applications and collaborate remotely, the importance of cloud security has never been greater. Cloud providers know that the success of their services is dependent on stringent security, so they often invest in systems that provide layers of protection.
However, even though the cloud offers numerous benefits including flexibility, scalability and cost savings, it also presents some security challenges that businesses must address to protect their sensitive data.
Let’s examine the most significant threats to cloud security and how to safeguard against them.
Read: Choosing the Right Cloud Services for Your Business
1. Data Breaches
Of all the threats, data breaches are the most feared and potentially devastating. Data breaches occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive information, including financial information, personally identifiable information (PII) and personal health information (PHI). Since the cloud involves storing data on remote servers, cyber criminals heavily target the cloud to try and access the data.
2. Human Error
The next most significant threat to cloud security is human error. Employees with bad habits who aren’t trained in proper cybersecurity policies and procedures can be equally dangerous as cyber criminals.
3. Insider Threats
Not all security risks come from external hackers. Employees, contractors or third-party vendors with access to cloud systems can pose security risks, either intentionally or through negligence. Insider threats can lead to stolen or leaked information.
4. Misconfigured Cloud Settings
Misconfigurations in cloud environments, such as open storage buckets or weak access controls, are among the leading causes of cloud security breaches. Another prominent example is shadow IT, which is when staff use unauthorized apps or systems. Misconfigured systems often lack the necessary security measures, leaving critical gaps in security systems and allowing cyber criminals to steal sensitive information.
5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
DoS attacks are targeted attacks that overwhelm cloud services with massive amounts of traffic. This causes slowdowns or outages that disrupt business operations for legitimate cloud users, preventing them from accessing cloud resources.
6. Account Hijacking
Attackers target user accounts with privileged access to gain control of sensitive cloud resources, systems and data. To gain access, cyber criminals can use phishing attacks or credential stuffing to guess or steal login credentials and hijack the cloud accounts.
Mitigating the Risks
To protect cloud environments, organizations must adopt a proactive security approach. This includes:
- Implement strong access controls: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA), the principle of least privilege and robust password policies.
- Encrypt data: Protect sensitive data at rest and in transit by encrypting
- Regularly monitor and audit: Track cloud activity to identify and respond to potential threats.
- Patch and update software: Keep systems and software updated with the latest patches to address known vulnerabilities.
- Educate employees: Train staff on cloud security best practices and threat awareness.
- Implement an incident response plan (IRP): Develop and deploy a robust IRP for potential security incidents.
- Back up data: Frequently back up your sensitive data to a secure location. Test these backups to ensure they work in case of a breach.
Read: The Importance of Cloud Backup and Recovery for Businesses
Strengthen Your Cloud Security with Thriveon
Cloud security is an ongoing process that requires continuous adaptation. Although cloud service providers can implement security measures, organizations must take proactive steps to secure their cloud environments. One way of guaranteeing this is by partnering with an award-winning managed service provider (MSP) like Thriveon.
We help businesses secure their cloud environments with proactive IT management and cybersecurity solutions. A Fractional CIO can help you protect your valuable data and maintain the integrity of your cloud environment by providing strategic guidance and oversight.
Schedule a meeting with us now to see how we can help you protect your cloud infrastructure.
