Cloud computing is clearly here to stay, and has become an integral part of any business computing strategy. For many businesses, the power, flexibility, and convenience of cloud applications outweigh thesecurity risks ― but that doesn’t mean that the concerns about security have gone away.
In fact, cloud security still faces a number of significant threats that all businesses of any size need to be concerned about. Any one of these risks can lead to devastating consequences, so it’s important not to fall into a false sense of security because nothing has gone wrong yet. Being aware of these threats, and employing robust cloud security solutions for protection , is important for keeping your business operational while protecting sensitive data.
1. Data BreachesWe see the headlines all the time: The personal information of millions of consumers exposed by a data breach. However, those large-scale breaches are actually only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stolen data. While stolen personal information is certainly worthy of concern, other types of data exposed in a breach, including trade secrets and intellectual property, can be just as, if not more, devastating, to a business. In any case, a data breach is costly, both in terms of fines and sanctions for the exposure of protected data, as in costs related to brand damage, lost revenue, investigations, and recovery.
So why is this so relevant to the cloud? Well, because the cloud has become an increasingly attractive target for hackers due to the sheer amount of data that it contains ― and the somewhat more lax security guidelines that many companies follow when protecting that data. Many companies believe that their security providers are responsible for providing security ― and most do ― but at the end of the day, any company using the cloud is responsible for their own data protection, no matter what that may look like. Otherwise, they run the risk of falling victim to a breach.
2. Data Loss
Data loss differs from a data breach in that a breach is the result of a malicious action that exposes data to individuals who aren’t authorized to see or use it, while data loss means that data is literally lost ― deleted, erased, etc.―without having a backup. Sometimes data loss occurs due a technical error, a lost encryption key, or even in some cases, a deliberate act. Regardless of the cause, data loss can prove costly, and it’s of paramount importance for companies to protect their cloud data against irretrievably lost data.
3. Malicious InsidersRecently, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that the greatest risk to data security isn’t outside hackers, but actually insiders ― employees, contractors, etc . ― who deliberately put their employer’s data and networks at risk. Individuals with access to your network and the right administrator privileges can easily manipulate data, harm infrastructures, or otherwise delete or render data unusable.
It’s important to note that all employee mistakes are not deliberate attacks ― sometimes, a simple error can cause harm ― but that only underscores that point that your company needs to take care prevent any one person from having the ability to take down your network. Logging and monitoring administrator privileges and access, maintaining appropriate separation of duties, encryption controls, as well as training employees to avoid costly mistakes, is an important part of cloud security.
4. Account HijackingCloud services must be protected against phishing, fraud, and software exploits like any other network. Because data is being transferred to the cloud can be eavesdropped on, allowing hackers to manipulate data and transactions, it’s important to keep cloud services safe from hijacking. Do not allow users to share credentials, require two-factor authentication when available, and utilize monitoring tools to ensure that all transactions can be monitored and authenticated.
5. Advanced Persistent ThreatsAdvanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are among the most dangerous threats because they move through networks stealthily and mimic other traffic, making them difficult to detect. They also generally come in via undetectable methods, such as spear phishing attacks or peripherals pre-loaded with malware. However, these attacks are highly dangerous, and your company needs to invest in advanced security and training to keep them from infiltrating your network.
As the cloud matures and more businesses take advantage, so will the need to focus more on strategic decisions regarding security. The first step is understanding the major threats facing the cloud ― and focusing your efforts on protecting against them.
By Glenn Blake
