Cloud app security
Last Updated on August 13, 2024
The advent of Cloud computing over the last decade has fundamentally transformed how businesses operate, offering scalable resources and significant cost efficiencies.
Cloud migration from on-site hosting also required most businesses, often for the first time, to look more in detail at their cybersecurity posture.
Cloud platforms initially raised the bar in terms of cybersecurity effectiveness for most businesses. Cloud solutions typically come with a battery of fine user management and security settings, previously unavailable to most on-site storage.
Their centralized data management, user credentials management, access management, Cloud compute and storage configurations also contributed initially to a vast cybersecurity upgrade compared to their older on-premise architecture.
However, this shift has also brought complex security challenges. As cloud environments become ubiquitous, they also become a prime target for cyber threats such as account fraud, man-in-the-middle attacks, and sophisticated AI-driven threats.
Finally, if earlier Cloud implementations revolved around data storage, later iterations soon became much more ambitious, and gradually grew to include Cloud applications hosting and computing.
As Cloud technology grew ubiquitous and complex, Cloud and cybersecurity managers have also had to take a growing focus on application security rather than only network security.
Evolution and Current State of Cloud Security
Over time, however, cloud services became increasingly complex and reliant on an ever-growing list of API’s, suppliers, plugins and partner apps. Their integration with various technologies have increased vulnerabilities.
The rapid adoption of cloud services has exposed them to a wider array of cyber threats, from sophisticated ransomware attacks to persistent advanced threats (CloudDefense.AI) (CISA).
Common Cloud Security Threats
Data Breaches:
These are very dangerous in the cloud due to the vast amounts of sensitive data stored.
Centralizing data on Cloud architecture is, in some way, a cyber criminal’s dream, as they often need to cross-reference different data sets to break different security measures.
Breaches can occur through system vulnerabilities, inadequate access controls, or sophisticated cyber-attacks (Norton Site).- Insider Threats:
These arise from within an organization—either through malice or negligence—and can lead to significant security breaches (CrowdStrike).
Insider threats consist mainly of:- Bad agents colleagues: The high proximity at work, the common email structure and cybersecurity standards all make it a lot easier for a potential cybercriminal to work “from the inside”
- Insider trading type frauds: Acquiring knowledge fraudulently, that is not on the public record, and which may provide unfair investment knowledge. The application owner themselves probably respect this widely known ethical requirement, but could be found negligent if their SaaS software or platform allowed effectively for the dissemination of insider trading information.
- Account Hijacking:
Phishing attacks can lead to stolen credentials, allowing attackers to access cloud services illicitly and manipulate or steal data (Norton Site).
There are however many more sources and types of account hijackings:- Stolen credentials (in stolen property, laptops, etc.)
- Session tokens bought directly on the dark web
- Man-in-the-middle attacks
- Social engineering, to lead an online contact to reveal personal information
- Etc.
The list of modern account hijacking methods is long and growing fast. - Insecure APIs:
As the gateways to cloud services, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are a common target for attacks.
Organizations, especially SMEs often lack best practice in their ICT program management. They often “stack” historically a variety of applications to their core/proprietary systems, many of which will become obsolete in time and open to exploits.
Having unprotected API endpoints available on the public internet can be extremely risky for your cybersecurity.
Insecure APIs can expose organizations to security breaches and data loss (CyberTalk).
Best Practices in Cloud Application Security
- Zero Trust and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Implementing a zero-trust model and requiring MFA can significantly enhance security by ensuring that every access request is fully authenticated and authorized based on adaptable security policies (CISA) (CrowdStrike). - Data Encryption:
Encrypting data at rest and in transit protects sensitive information from unauthorized access and data breaches (CrowdStrike).
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with key lengths of 256 bits is commonly recommended for encrypting data at rest.
For data in transit, TLS (Transport Layer Security) should be used to secure data as it moves between clients and servers. - Regular Security Assessments:
Conducting thorough vulnerability assessments and remediations helps identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited (CrowdStrike).
Log management and continuous monitoring of your Cloud infrastructure is vital to identifying early unusual signals.
Penetration testing of your whole Cloud architecture and application security, on an ongoing basis, is also a recommended best practice. - Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM):
This technology helps manage and automate security across cloud environments, providing visibility and control over cloud infrastructure security (CrowdStrike).
CSPM is effectively a specific type of cybersecurity posture management, applying specifically from the Cloud lens.
CSPM audits and monitors services from multiple cloud providers or deploy multiple types of cloud environments (such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS).
CSPM tools offer a unified view of security postures across these diverse environments, helping organizations manage their security risks more effectively.
Similarly it includes automated compliance checks, threat detection and response, from a Cloud network and architecture standpoint.
Role of AI in Cloud Security
Cybercriminals are using AI to craft more effective phishing campaigns and to automate attacks at scale.
Conversely, security professionals are leveraging AI to detect and respond to threats more rapidly and accurately than ever before.
AI-driven security systems can analyze vast datasets to identify patterns that may indicate a breach, offering both predictive and proactive security measures (Snyk) (CyberTalk).
The landscape of cloud app security is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates cutting-edge technology, stringent policies, and continuous monitoring.
As threats evolve, so too must the defenses of organizations leveraging cloud technology to stay ahead of potential risks.
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