Misconfigured Cloud Applications Are Putting Your Data At Risk

As more and more organisations continue to move their systems and applications to the cloud in 2023, cybercriminals everywhere hear the sound of opportunity knocking. They know that as they hunt for vulnerable systems, this increases their chances of coming across a cloud application that has been left exposed inadvertently due to misconfiguration.

The result: an open door to valuable company data including client and employee personal information, financial data, supplier agreements, et cetera. 

With cloud misconfiguration still being considered one of the biggest threats to cloud security, if not the biggest, organisations need to revisit their cloud adoption strategies and ensure their sensitive information is properly protected by prioritising cloud security.

Time To Ditch The Default

So, how do these misconfigurations occur in the first place?

There are all kinds of reasons. Some of these cloud applications are being rolled out to serve the needs of a specific department or team. Therefore, the priority is more on the business issue it is trying to resolve than the need to integrate and interact with internal systems and endpoints securely. So, to speed up the adoption and solve the issue for that department or team, the application is rolled-out with default settings which may seem sufficient at that time.

However, default settings tend to be too open and could be easily exploited by attackers. For instance, leaving a system account with a default password.

Another issue is the inconsistent approach to configuring cloud applications. Changes are made on an ad-hoc basis and not necessarily replicated across all applications and systems. This makes it more complicated when trying to fix configuration issues, and can expose data stored in these systems to breaches.

The lesson here? IT should be brought in early, even before any new cloud application is selected, to ensure the application is tested and meets the requirements of the configuration checklist defined by the organisation. A centralised approach is also necessary to ensure changes to configurations are carried out consistently across all cloud systems and properly documented.

Cloud Security Is A Shared Responsibility

The tendency to opt for default settings is closely intertwined with another important factor that can cause security gaps in cloud services: a lack of awareness that security is a responsibility shared by many parties - including the customer themselves. 

When it comes to cloud applications, there’s no such thing as “security that is 100% handled by the vendor.”

The service provider that provides the infrastructure - think here of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud - is responsible for delivering a certain foundational level of security. On top of that service provider, the cloud vendor who delivers the specific application that the organisation is using, is responsible for another layer of security. But the final piece of the security puzzle is the customer.

Assuming that “it’s in the cloud, it must be protected”, it’s the wrong assumption. In fact, the customer needs to play a big part by determining which users get to access which data, what level of privileges should they have, and so on – the vendor can’t handle that aspect.

That’s why it’s critical for organisations to understand the Shared Responsibility Model, and for all key internal and external stakeholders to be clear about their roles and responsibilities.

Avoid The Gaps

Cloud adoption will only continue to gain momentum in the year ahead, which is all the more reason to ensure that cyber criminals aren’t provided with any low hanging fruit due to misconfigured cloud systems. Unfortunately, it is a matter of “when” and not “if” an organisation will be targeted by cyber criminals. So, preparation is key.

Auditing cloud applications and their configurations, as well as confirming that all parties are clear about their shared responsibilities can make a world of difference in ensuring that organisations are able to keep their sensitive data safe and out of the hands of bad actors.

Manuel Sanchez is an Information Security & Compliance Specialist at iManage

You Might Also Read: 

DMS Alerts Should Be Key To Organisations’ Security Orchestration:

 

« US Defense Contractors Don't Meet Basic Cyber Security Standards
Remote Work: Three Top Trends In 2023 »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

HANDD Business Solutions

HANDD Business Solutions

HANDD are independent specialists in data protection with expertise at every stage of the Protect, Detect and Respond cycle, from consultancy and design, right through to installation.

Cimcor

Cimcor

Cimcor’s flagship software product, CimTrak, helps organizations to monitor and protect a wide range of physical, network and virtual IT assets in real-time.

Woz U

Woz U

Woz U provides best-in-class technology training for Learners, Higher-Ed and Corporations. We focus on the most in-demand occupations such as Software Development, Data Science and Cyber Security.

Omada

Omada

Omada is a leading provider of IT security solutions and services for identity management and access governance.

Acuant

Acuant

Acuant is a leading global provider of identity verification, regulatory compliance (AML/KYC) and digital identity solutions.

National Accreditation Authority Hungary (NAH)

National Accreditation Authority Hungary (NAH)

NAH is the national accreditation body for Hungary. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

SaltStack

SaltStack

SaltStack develops award-winning intelligent IT automation software. We help businesses more efficiently secure and manage all aspects of their digital infrastructure.

Nihon Cyber Defense

Nihon Cyber Defense

Nihon Cyber Defence’s mission is to provide robust solutions, services and support to governments, corporates and organisations in order to protect them from all forms of cyber warfare.

Billington CyberSecurity

Billington CyberSecurity

Billington CyberSecurity is a leading, independent education company with an exclusive focus on cybersecurity.

MetaCert

MetaCert

MetaCert’s Zero Trust browser software reduces the risk of organizations being compromised with a phishing-led cyberattack by more than 98%.

Constella Intelligence

Constella Intelligence

Constella Intelligence provides digital risk protection services to quickly and efficiently disrupt cyber attacks and data breaches before they occur.

Have I Been Pwned (HIBP)

Have I Been Pwned (HIBP)

Have I Been Pwned is a free resource for anyone to quickly assess if they may have been put at risk due to an online account of theirs having been compromised or "pwned" in a data breach.

CyberPeace Foundation

CyberPeace Foundation

CPF is a think tank of cybersecurity and policy experts with the vision of pioneering Cyber Peace Initiatives to build collective resiliency against CyberCrimes and global threats of cyber warfare.

Celcom

Celcom

Celcom is the oldest mobile telecommunications provider in Malaysia, providing solutions and services to consumers and businesses.

Blacksands

Blacksands

Blacksands is a leader in network architecture, identity & services management, threat analysis, industrial IoT architecture, and invisible dynamic networks.

Liberty Technology

Liberty Technology

Liberty Technology has a host of highly trained, certified experts who assist our clients with immediate remote support as well as on-site service.