3 Key Cloud Security Challenges And How To Deal With Them
In this digitally vulnerable world, businesses are reaping the benefits of cloud-based storage. Virtual infrastructure is accelerating innovation, while catering to rising data volumes. However, ensuring a safe environment for sensitive data comes with deep-rooted challenges.
While incidents of misconfiguration of cloud platforms account for 40% of the cases of cyber security breach, insecure interface and APIs stand at 42%, according to The 2019 Cloud Security Report by ISC2. So, how confident are you of your organization’s security measures?
Well, one needs to implement comprehensive cloud security so that business productivity, transparency and control over cloud infrastructure are not hampered, say experts at GOBI Technologies. This enables the business to adopt the right platform and avoid potential disruptions.
Here are a few challenges that one might run into. Read on to know how to overcome them smoothly.
Data Leaks :-
Hacking was the top cause of data breaches in the US in 2019. Employee credentials and general company data can be inadvertently exposed to theft. This happens when there is a lack of strong cyber security. The company might have to spend millions to pay fines and negate business restrictions. Therefore, data leaks remain the biggest concern for cyber security professionals.
The best solution is to avoid migrating employee information to the cloud without checking for stringent security measures. In addition, have a disaster recovery system in place for all your data on the cloud. This can shield the information from intentional attacks and legal consequences.
Insecure Access Controls :-
The greatest benefit of the cloud is that it can be accessed from any device and from any location. But, this provides the APIs with an insecure entry point. All businesses that move to the cloud from onsite infrastructure might struggle with visibility. Hackers make the most of these challenges and exploit them to their advantage.
The first step is to provide fine grained access control and delete any outsourced data. Next, integrate a behavioral web application firewall in the cloud services. This will analyze the HTTP requests to ensure the traffic is free of potential dangers, while allowing only authorized access.
Misconfiguration of the Cloud Platform :-
Misconfiguration is one of the biggest enemies of the cloud. Server and compute get misconfigured in such a way that it can be breached with just a few clicks. The default configuration can be easily defeated, leading to increased risk of data exposure. In fact, even a tiny mistake during development can cause severe mishaps and disclose huge volumes of data.
Modifying the existing codes and implementation of holistic security measures are not enough. You need to have good understanding of the configuration that is a part of the security system. Additionally, you can set up a third party tool that will continuously carry out checks and provide alerts during any misconfiguration, according to an article by InfoWorld. Threat detection, security management and network encroachment prevention should also be actively carried out by the tool.
The list of cloud security challenges is definitely not a big one. The key is to find a cloud services provider who is diligent about security, while ensuring that migration to the cloud is a smooth and hassle-free experience for your business.
