Cloud Security Threats Businesses Can Avoid

Do you know which industries are prolific users of multi-cloud computing? If you guessed Telecommunications, you’re not wrong; however, you may not know that insurance and retail are also leaders with 11 clouds in use by 2023.

With the global cloud computing marketing expecting 18.6% growth by 2027 businesses in all industries need to also be aware of prevalent cloud security threats and how to avoid them.

Insights for Professionals present interesting data on cloud cybercrime. It also suggests organizations shouldn’t switch to multi-cloud and cloud-based services without a careful security risk assessment to lessen the threat of data loss and security breaches damaging their business reputation.

This business blog looks at ways to mitigate security risks using cloud computing. First, let’s review how businesses are using the cloud.

How Organizations Use The Cloud

How are businesses using cloud computing?

For users of multi-cloud computing platforms, there are services including SaaS, IaaS, PaaS – as explained in this article.

Businesses use third-party apps and systems i.e., ‘as a service’ services for functions such as:

• Data backup, storage, access, and analysis
• Email services
• Apps development
• Video creation and streaming

Cloud Computing Security Threats

While service providers take cloud computing security seriously, some gaps keep technology managers awake at night. Account hijacking is a significant threat to data security, including sensitive customer credit card information.

Whale phishing is one-way hackers are gaining access to it. Business executives are more vulnerable than other staff and often exempt from regular security audits and training. Plus, executives can be tardy in executing security best practices that protect them when using public networks via their devices.

Basic Security Fails

Some of the common security fails of executives include:

• No regular backing up of devices
• Irregular updating of software
• Using weak passwords
• Not using MFA
• Not using VPNs, especially when using public networks
• Using weak email and website filters

Avoiding Security Threats Of Cloud Computing

With account hijacking worrying IT leaders, there are ways to lessen the vulnerability of security gaps in cloud services.

Security Compliance and Governance Requirements

Needless to say, creating and adhering to security compliance requirements starts from the top of an organization. The chief executives tell staff that security prevention measures are paramount to protecting hackers from business data.

Communication and collaboration between cloud service providers and the business security teams must be transparent and robust to share information on security gaps, known threats, and prevention measures.

Disaster recovery plan

Including disaster recovery plans and regular archiving and recovery process testing will provide peace of mind to the business that in the event of significant data loss, data loss is minimized, and the recovery of most assets is possible.

The disaster recovery plans should also include the steps to communicate to staff, stakeholders, and clients what’s occurred, the actions taken, and the recovery’s success. Remember, business reputation is on the line when adverse events like criminal activity occur. How your business responds to it is vital to retaining customers and presenting confidence in the face of adversity.

Configuration

One of the biggest threats or security gaps is the misconfiguration of security settings. The challenge is more significant when too much data is available. Getting control over what data is stored and accessed by users is part of the configuration process.

Plus, many businesses rely on default security settings instead of working through user access and device access options. Hold off rushing the implementation process until upper management has set and agreed to the compliance and security rules.

Encrypt Data

Always use services that encrypt data, from storage to access footprints must be protected from prying eyes. End-to-end encryption is a must; the good news is it’s everywhere in apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other chat platforms. Plus, email systems and collaboration tools like Zoom, Skype, Google Teamwork, etc.

Encryption starts at the source, i.e., device level, and this blog provides a layperson’s guide to end encryption for your further reading.

Access

Limit user access, and assign different user access levels. For example, your executives may not get the same level of access as your security professionals. Ensure all user access is recorded and regularly audited by security IT auditors. All user access must also adhere to your business cloud security controls.

Plus, there will be additional requirements like using tokens for some users with lower-level access or if a user is attempting to access the service via a new location. Cloud services providers may also insist on access that’s not privileged using their security steps before access is allowed.

Final Thoughts

All users are responsible for managing their devices to prevent hackers from accessing business networks and data. Cloud computing is the now and the future, but the default security settings will not likely give you confidence that your business is doing all it can to avoid cyber threats.

Remember SolarWinds cyber attack as a reminder of just how vulnerable all businesses, irrespective of size, are to professional hackers.