Cloud computing has revolutionized the way we work and live. From email to document storage, the cloud provides a vast array of options for users looking to improve their productivity.
Nowadays, almost all the industry are relying on cloud computing. With cloud computing is spreading rapidly across the globe, people are enjoying its benefits. However, people are also encountering cloud computing security risks that are scaring everyone. They have even started questioning if cloud computing is the right choice for running their business.
Therefore, people must understand the security risks before migrating to the cloud. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 security risks of cloud computing and provide tips on how to mitigate them.
What is cloud computing?
The term “cloud computing” refers to any method of offering services through an internet connection. It is described as the process of storing and retrieving data as well as programs through the internet rather than from a hard disk.
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What are the top security risks of cloud computing?
With cloud computing on the rise, everyone needs to understand the security risk that cloud computing brings with it. Here are some major security concerns:
1. Misconfiguration
Cloud data breaches are usually triggered when cloud security parameters are misconfigured. The cloud security management solutions of most companies are insufficient for safeguarding their cloud-based infrastructure.
Cloud infrastructure is built to be simple to use and share data with others. This makes it hard for businesses to make sure the data is only available to authorized people.
Additionally, businesses that rely on cloud-based infrastructure lack comprehensive insight and authority over their network. This implies they must set up and safeguard their cloud deployments using security controls given by their cloud service provider (CSP).
Since many businesses are unaware of their cloud infrastructure security, a misconfiguration can easily expose a firm’s resources to hackers.
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2. Cyberattacks
Cybercrime is an unethical job that cybercriminals choose to target cloud systems to attack for their benefit. Cloud-based infrastructure is easily reachable from the open Network which is commonly insecure and houses a lot of vital and confidential information.
Furthermore, since the cloud is used by a wide range of businesses, an effective assault can be replicated on multiple occasions with a high possibility of success. Consequently, cyberattacks on cloud platforms are becoming more regular.
3. Data Loss
As we know, Data loss is one of the most serious cloud computing security concerns. Data loss can range from accidentally lost or corrupted files to malware assaults and access loss because of events in which the cloud service provider (CSP) is unprepared.
Additionally, along with intellectual property loss, companies can face immediate financial consequences as a result of an employee or consumer backlash for failing to protect critical and personal information.
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4. Unauthorized Access
Cloud-based installations are outside the trusted network parameters and easily accessible from the open Network. While this is beneficial for employees and customers to access this infrastructure, it also makes things easier for attackers to get access to the cloud system.
An attacker can acquire direct access to a system through improperly configured cloud security or exposed credentials without the firm’s knowledge.
5. Malicious Insiders
Insider threats are a serious security concern for any company. A malicious insider has been granted access to a company’s network and many of its most critical resources.
Most attackers discover their targets by attempting to get access, making it difficult for an underprepared business to notice a malevolent insider.
It’s considerably more difficult to catch a malevolent insider in the cloud. Many traditional security measures are rendered useless due to the lack of authority over the infrastructure in cloud platforms.
This, combined with cloud-based infrastructure that is easily accessible from the open network and frequently has security flaws, makes detecting malicious insiders much more challenging.
6. Denial of Service Attacks
The cloud is critical to many businesses’ need to operate their daily task. They utilize cloud technology to store and execute crucial internal and external applications as well as to store business-critical data.
Consequently, an effective Denial of Service (DoS) attack targeting cloud infrastructure has a significant impact on a variety of businesses. Hence, DoS attacks involving a ransom demand represent a danger to a firm’s cloud-based resources.
7. Insufficient Due Diligence
Businesses entrust their most important assets to CSPs. As a result, a lack of due diligence exposes businesses to any security breach on the side of the cloud service provider. This can involve mainly physical data center asset risks and online malware attacks.
Moving to the cloud too rapidly is another example of poor due diligence, with businesses unable to effectively predict and correlate their service requirements with the right cloud service provider.
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8. External Sharing of Data
Data sharing is made simple with the cloud. The ability to bring a collaborator through email or to give a link that allows anyone with the URL to view the shared resources is a concern.
While the ease with which data can be shared is a benefit, it also is a significant cloud computing security risk. It’s tough to monitor access when you utilize link-based sharing. It is popular because it’s quicker than requesting each targeted collaborator individually.
The shared link can be passed to another person, stolen by a cybercriminal giving them unapproved access to the critical shared resource.
9. Lack of Insight
The absence of insight into network operations is one of the key drawbacks of moving to the cloud. Companies give CSPs control over various sections of their technological infrastructure in return for perks like cost reductions and scalability.
The degree of control that CSPs have and the duties that businesses have in terms of data security are determined by the type of cloud service model. However, regardless of the shared responsibility, the lack of insight into cloud systems is a constant threat to enterprises that rely on them for running the business.
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10. Hijacking of Accounts
Many people’s password security is exceedingly weak such as password repetition and weak passwords. Since one stolen password could be used on several accounts, this magnifies the effect of phishing attacks and security breaches.
As businesses become more dependent on cloud-based solutions for critical business processes, account hijacking can become a serious cloud security challenge very quickly. An attacker who gets their hands on a staff’s credentials can access important data. While stolen customers’ credentials provide them complete access to their online accounts.
Conclusion: Should you be scared of cloud computing?
Although cloud computing seems scary because of its security risks, you actually don’t have to be scared of it. There are numerous countermeasures in action that are fighting against the security risks of cloud computing like security encryptions and protocols.
Cloud service providers are continuously looking for any security issues that can affect people’s privacy and business processes. Having a brief understanding of security risks can make you aware and encourages you to control the cloud system in the best possible way.
