Key Insights
More and more businesses are using cloud services to store their data and run apps. However, many of them think that just because they’re using a cloud provider, their data is automatically safe. The truth is cloud providers manage the basic infrastructure, like servers and networks. However, businesses are still responsible for keeping their data secure. If businesses don’t take responsibility for their part, they risk exposing data to cyber threats.
Who should read this?
- Organizations – Businesses using cloud platforms to store and manage sensitive data.
What is happening?
Many organizations rely on popular cloud service providers to ensure the security of their data and infrastructure but often overlook their own crucial role in safeguarding these assets.
Cloud security is a shared responsibility: while cloud providers secure the infrastructure, organizations are responsible for securing their data and ensuring that only authorized users have access to it. Neglecting this responsibility can leave organizations vulnerable, even if the provider does its part to secure the infrastructure.
Recently, there has been a notable rise in cloud security issues, underscoring the need for organizations to actively manage their cloud security.
- Misconfigured cloud storage – When cloud storage is not properly configured, sensitive data can become publicly accessible. This is often the case with AWS storage buckets that are left unprotected, exposing private data to anyone who can find it.
- Weak cloud infrastructure – Cyber criminals frequently target vulnerabilities in cloud services, exploiting weak infrastructure to steal data from businesses.
- Cloud data breaches – Even leading cloud service providers have experienced breaches, showing that even popular services have vulnerabilities that need attention.
According to studies, around 94% of companies worldwide use cloud services. However, as Gartner predicted in 2019, by 2025,99% of cloud security failures will be due to customer error, primarily caused by misconfigurations. This is already happening, as many organizations neglect their responsibility in securing cloud data, making them prime targets for attacks.
According to IBM, 45% of breaches are cloud-based, and 69% of organizations have experienced data breaches or exposures due to multi-cloud security misconfigurations.
In short, just because data is in the cloud doesn’t mean it’s automatically secure. Both the organization and the cloud provider must work together to keep the data safe.
Why does it happen?
- Relying too much on the provider – Many businesses think that once their data is in the cloud, it’s automatically safe. But they still need to manage things like who can access the data and ensure applications are secure.
- Misconfigurations – Many businesses fail to properly set up, monitor, or review their cloud systems, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
What’s the risk?
- Data breaches – If cloud services aren’t managed properly, sensitive data like customer info or financial records can be exposed to attackers.
- Service downtime –Cyber attacks can cause cloud services to experience outages, disrupting business operations and leading to decreased productivity.
- Financial loss – Attacks on cloud services can result in significant financial losses due to the costs of resolving issues, restoring services, lost revenue, and potential fines associated with data breaches or downtime.
How can organizations stay safe?
- Ensure your cloud provider’s security meets standards – Before choosing a cloud provider, look into their security measures. Do they have strong protections in place, like encryption and backup plans? A good provider should have clear procedures for how they’ll respond to breaches, ensuring your data is protected even in case of an emergency.
- Recognize your responsibility in cloud security – Your cloud provider protects their infrastructure, but you’re responsible for your data. This means securing it, managing who can access it, and ensuring it’s safe from threats. Don’t assume that just because it’s in the cloud, it’s automatically safe.
- Limit access to sensitive data – Not everyone in your organization needs access to all your data. Restrict access to sensitive information to only those who truly need it, and set up extra layers of protection like passkeys or MFA to make it harder for attackers to get in.
- Ensure encryption is enabled– Ensure encryption is enabled by choosing cloud services that offer it. This ensures that even if attackers breach your systems, they can’t access or steal your data.
- Periodically monitor your cloud environment – Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Periodically check for unusual activity, such as unauthorized login attempts or changes to your data.
- Take backups periodically – It’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected. Make sure to back up your data periodically so that, if something goes wrong, you can quickly restore your systems and minimize the impact.
- Avoid relying solely on a single cloud provider – Consider distributing your data across multiple cloud providers to reduce the risk of a single provider’s failure compromising your entire infrastructure.
