You may already know this, but the cloud is just someone else’s computer. Whether Amazon AWS or Microsoft Azure, these systems allow organizations to scale their businesses and minimize cost, but this does not necessarily mean everything is more secure. Your cloud account can fall victim to account compromise, or your tenant may be exposed due to poor configurations, sometimes making it easier for cybercriminals to get their hands on your data than if you ran systems in-house. Cybercriminals could access and then use your cloud systems for other purposes that may put you in a legal bind or get you an astronomical bill based on malicious utilization of your resources. So, while the cloud has its benefits, you still have some responsibility for ensuring it is secure.
Cybercriminals in the Clouds
Cybercriminals target cloud services using various tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to exploit vulnerabilities, access sensitive data, and disrupt operations. Below are some key types of attacks that are used on cloud services, along with their associated risks:
Account Compromise: Attackers breach your business accounts with cloud access. They then steal your data and use it for financial gain.
Misconfigured Services: When cloud services are not configured to best practice, they may expose databases or details that allow attackers to steal information without compromising your account.
Cloud Server Exploitation: Attackers find your systems, and if they are not properly maintained, they may be able to attack them and exploit them, gaining access that would allow them to deploy malicious software or do harm to clients that may use your services.
These are just a few examples, but as you can see, the cloud is only as secure as your business or service provider makes it.
Understanding Shared Responsibility
You may have a provider that manages your cloud account or systems for you, and there is nothing wrong with that; most businesses do not need or have the resources to hire a full-time cloud engineer. However, this outsourcing does not absolve an organization from needing to know if its data or systems are secure; you share that responsibility with your provider. So, when you think about what questions make sense from your perspective, here is a short list to share with your provider or IT Administrator:
- How are we securing our Cloud accounts?
This question should require a straightforward response, including using MFA and ensuring that accounts run with the fewest privileges where applicable.
- Do we have a process to ensure everything is aligned with best practices?
Again, many checklists and frameworks provide easy-to-follow directions for ensuring your cloud tenant is in alignment with best practices.
- When was the last time we validated our cloud security?
Simply put, how do you know if you do not verify something is correct? Things change over time, and this can include your cloud security posture.
This may seem like a short and relatively simple set of questions, but the answers will provide a starting point for understanding whether your data and the cloud services you are using are potentially exposed.
Trust but Verify…You Need to Know
As mentioned, you need to know the state of your cloud security posture. If you do not verify that state regularly, at least annually, you may open your business and your clients to unintended risks. You can follow many standards and frameworks to help you in the verification process, or you can work with a trusted third party to ensure your cloud is handled properly. Trust but verify means that while your cloud provider may be handling much of the infrastructure and security, you must actively ensure that everything is configured correctly and continuously monitored. Just because a service provider says they are secure does not mean they have covered all the bases for your unique needs.
At IntelliSystems, we offer comprehensive cloud services to help businesses ensure their cloud environments are secure and aligned with best practices. Our certified experts will assess your cloud infrastructure, identify potential vulnerabilities, and verify that your systems are configured according to industry standards. Whether you want to strengthen your defenses against cyber threats, optimize your cloud security posture, or ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, our services provide the insights and recommendations you need. Contact us today to start discussing our cloud capabilities and take the first step toward securing your cloud environment and safeguarding your business from potential risks.