“Cloud Security Issues Reported by 81% of Companies”
Cloud security breaches are a severe problem. In the past, companies have been able to store their data in secure, off-site servers. But with the advent of cloud computing, that is slowly becoming obsolete.
Cloud providers like Amazon and Google host data for their clients on remote servers. Cloud computing makes it easier for companies to share files and collaborate. However, it also makes them more vulnerable to security breaches.
Research shows that approximately 81% of companies suffered a cloud security breach last year. Almost half of those organizations had multiple security incidents altogether. These are alarming numbers as many companies move their systems to cloud infrastructures.
Read on and discover the common attack vectors of data breaches and possible solutions to prevent them.
Most Common Cloud Security Issues
The main issue for many companies is cloud data security. These include the need for more transparency and control of data on the client side. Below are some common causes of cloud security breaches
Unauthorized access
Unauthorized access is one of the most common cloud security issues. Hackers can access your data by exploiting vulnerabilities in the cloud platform or stealing your login credentials. They can then steal your data, delete it, or use it.
Insecure interfaces/APIs
Insecure interfaces like Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are another security problem. They can allow hackers to access your data or the underlying cloud infrastructure. Hackers can exploit API vulnerabilities to gain control of your entire cloud environment.
Misconfiguration
Misconfiguration can also compromise your cloud security. It can occur when cloud administrators do not correctly configure the cloud environment or when users inadvertently expose sensitive data. One of the most common misconfiguration vulnerabilities is weak passwords.
Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks are a significant threat to cloud security. Some of the most common types of cyberattacks are:
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
- Man-in-the-Middle Attack
- Phishing Attack
Malicious insiders
Malicious insiders pose a significant threat to your data. Some of the most common types of malicious insiders are:
- Employees who have access to sensitive data but are not authorized to access it.
- Employees who are disgruntled with their company or who have been fired.
- Hackers gain access to your system through malware or social engineering.
Denial of Service attacks
A denial of service attack (DoS attack) is a type of attack that hackers can use to disrupt the regular operation of a computer or network. This attack makes a machine or network unavailable to its users by flooding it with useless traffic.
The most common type is the flooding attack. In this method, the attacker sends significant traffic to the target machine or network. This traffic can come from multiple sources, making it difficult to block. The attack’s goal is to overwhelm the target machine or network and prevent it from functioning correctly.
Improve Your Cloud Computing Security With These Habits
While these potential security issues can be challenging, proper computer habits can mitigate them significantly. Check the tips below to help you keep your company data secure in the cloud.
Manage user access
One thing you can do to improve cloud computing security is to manage user access. You should carefully control who has access to your data and ensure that only authorized users can access it.
This practice is critical, particularly during vulnerable periods like office relocations. It would help if you also used solid passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your data.
Establish a comprehensive off-boarding process
When an employee leaves your company, you should conduct a thorough off-boarding process. That ensures the appropriate termination of their access to your systems and data. The off-boarding process should include the following steps:
- Remove the employee from all systems and databases.
- Delete the employee’s account and remove all of their data.
- Reset the employee’s passwords.
- Secure any confidential data that the employee may have accessed.
- Dispose of any company property to which the employee may have access.
Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security protocol that requires more than one way to authenticate the identity of a user. The most common type of MFA is two-factor authentication, which requires the user to provide two pieces of validation to confirm their identity. The first piece of combination is usually something the user knows, like a PIN or password. The second piece of confirmation is something the user has, such as a card or token.
Provide regular anti-phishing training for employees
Employees are one of the biggest threats to cloud security. That’s why it’s vital to provide them with regular anti-phishing training.
Phishing is an attack that uses email or text messages to lure people into clicking on links or providing sensitive information. The goal is to obtain personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers.
Phishing attacks are becoming more varied and sophisticated. That’s why you need to make your employees aware of the dangers of phishing. They should undergo training on how to protect themselves from these attacks. It can help them identify phishing emails and avoid clicking on suspicious links. It would help if you reminded your employees not to share sensitive information with anyone outside the company.
Good Habits Increases Cloud Security
As you can see, you can implement a few things to improve your cloud computing security. The best way to protect yourself from cyberattacks is to implement as many of these habits as possible. In addition, learning the most common cloud security issues can help you prepare your security protocols. Combining these best practices and knowledge can lower your vulnerability significantly.
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