The emergence of cloud technology changed the game for both businesses and hackers. It introduced a completely new set of security threats to cloud computing and caused a whole bunch of cloud security dangers.
The use of cloud technology provided businesses with the scale and flexibility they required to remain competitive and innovative in ever-changing business environments. At the same time, it exposed company data to breaches and losses caused by a variety of circumstances. Hence, it is important to follow counter measures and best practices to minimize the security risks of cloud computing and keep your data safe..
The best method for protecting your business from financial and reputational losses is to keep up with the cloud security standards.
- Hijacking of Accounts
Many people have extremely poor password security, including the use of weak passwords and password reuse. Because it allows a single stolen password to be used on several accounts, this issue exacerbates the impact of phishing attacks and data breaches.
As organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based infrastructure and applications for critical business processes, account hijacking is one of the more serious cloud security challenges. An attacker having access to an employee’s credentials can gain access to critical data or functionality, and compromised customer credentials grant complete control over their online account. Furthermore, organisations in the cloud cannot frequently recognize and respond to these risks as effectively as on-premises equipment.
Countermeasure
To protect sensitive information, organizations must prioritize account security. This includes avoiding shared credentials, implementing two-factor authentication, and monitoring all activities associated with user accounts. By following these best practices, businesses can safeguard against potential threats and maintain the integrity of their systems.
- Data Breach and Data Leak
The cloud security risk posed by a data breach is a cause-and-effect issue. If a data breach happens, it means that the company disregarded some cloud security concerns, which led to the attack.
A data breach occurs when information is accessed and taken without authority. This incident frequently results in a data breach (data that is found where it should not be). Confidential information can be made public, although it is more commonly sold on the black market or kept for ransom.
While the severity of the effects is determined by the company’s crisis management skills, the incident itself is a stain on the company’s reputation.
There are two approaches to data breach:
- Technological, in the form of malware secretly installed on a victim’s machine;
- Social engineering: A cybercriminal uses social engineering to acquire someone’s trust and persuade them to divulge their login information to exploit a security risk in cloud computing, obtain access to the platform, and extract data.
Countermeasure-
Multi-factor authentication enhances security by requiring additional proof of identity. Data-at-rest encryption protects stored data, while perimeter and internal firewalls regulate traffic and monitor abnormal activity.
- Denial of Service (DoS)
One of the most frequently encountered cyberattacks is the denial-of-service (DoS) attack, which can leave authorized users unable to access their data or applications. During a DoS attack on cloud services, the targeted platform is bombarded with excessive demands, depleting its finite system resources like processor power, memory, disk space, and network bandwidth. This can disrupt operations and cause inconvenience for users.
The negative repercussions of DoS attacks are undeniable. They not only cause a significant system slowdown that is frustrating for authorized service users but also leave them confused and angry about the unresponsive service. To make matters worse, these attacks consume substantial processing power, resulting in an unfortunate bill that the user has to bear.
Countermeasures –
While it may be difficult to completely eliminate the risk of DoS attacks, some measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring in the cloud. One effective step is implementing DoS attack detection technology. By utilizing this advanced technology, you can proactively identify and thwart potential attacks, minimizing any potential damage or disruption to your systems.
The advancement in intrusion prevention systems and firewall technologies has led to the development of robust DoS protection measures. These solutions now incorporate cutting-edge techniques such as signature detection and connection verification to effectively mitigate the impact of DoS attacks. Additionally, implementing throttling and rate-limiting technologies further enhances the ability to minimize the adverse effects caused by such attacks.
- Insecure API
API, short for Application User Interface, plays a crucial role in efficiently operating the system within a cloud infrastructure. It serves as the primary instrument that enables smooth communication and interaction between different software applications in the cloud environment.
This process involves both internal use by company employees and external use by consumers through mobile or web applications. The external aspect is crucial as it enables data transmission and provides various analytics. The API’s availability poses a significant cloud security risk, as it is also involved in collecting data from edge computing devices.
To ensure system safety, multi-factor authentication and encryption play a vital role in regulating it. However, API configuration sometimes fails to meet requirements and contains severe flaws that can compromise its integrity.
In today’s digital landscape, improving security measures is critical. Implementing appropriate access controls, such as authentication, can assist in mitigating risks associated with anonymous access. Failure to enforce access rules can result in vulnerabilities that compromise sensitive data.
Additionally, steering clear of clear-text authentication methods where input is visible on the screen is essential for safeguarding confidential data.
By prioritizing robust security practices, you can enhance protection against potential threats and ensure the integrity of your systems and information.
Countermeasure-
To enhance security, use a notification system for phone alerts and enable Two Factor Authentication. Encrypt all traffic with SSL to protect data in transit. For API-based attacks, use cybersecurity solutions from reliable providers like Cloudlytics.
- Denial of Service (DoS)
One of the most prevalent forms of attack is when authorized users are unable to access their data or applications. During a DoS attack on the cloud, the targeted cloud service is overwhelmed with excessive demands for system resources like processor power, memory, disk space, or network bandwidth. This can cause disruptions and hinder normal operations for users and businesses alike.
The detrimental effects of DoS attacks cannot be underestimated. They lead to significant system slowdowns, leaving authorized service users frustrated and perplexed as to why the service has become unresponsive. Moreover, these attacks consume substantial amounts of processing power, resulting in an unfortunate burden for users who ultimately bear the financial costs. Robust security measures must be put in place to prevent such disruptions and protect both businesses and their valued customers.
Countermeasures –
While it may not be possible to completely eliminate DoS attacks, there are effective measures that can greatly minimize the risk of such attacks in the cloud.
One recommended approach is to integrate DoS attack detection technology into your system. By utilizing this advanced technology, you can detect and respond to potential attacks more rapidly, ultimately enhancing the security of your cloud infrastructure.
Protect your systems from cyber threats with advanced DoS protection technologies that detect and counteract malicious attacks, limit their success, and minimize disruption. Invest in these security measures for peace of mind and a strong defence against potential intrusions.
Conclusion
The cloud offers numerous benefits to organizations, but it’s important to be aware of the security threats and concerns that come with it. Cloud-based infrastructure differs greatly from on-premises data centres, making it challenging for traditional security tools and strategies to provide effective protection.
