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

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC (formerly Reciprocity) is a leader in the GRC SaaS landscape, offering robust and intuitive products designed to make compliance straightforward and efficient.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Bricata

Bricata

Bricata offers industry-leading IPS solutions for enterprise-wide threat prevention and unparalleled situational awareness.

Basis Technology

Basis Technology

Basis Technology provides software solutions for text analytics, information retrieval, digital forensics, and identity resolution.

BooleBox

BooleBox

Boolebox is the innovative suite of enterprise data protection applications that preserve the integrity and confidentiality of data from any unauthorized access.

eResilience

eResilience

eResilience is a division of Referentia Systems, a pioneer in an ultra-secure information safeguarding technique known as “Enclaving”, in which data can be segmented and protected within a network.

iSecurity Consulting

iSecurity Consulting

iSecurity delivers a complete lifecycle of digital protection services across the globe for public and private sector clients.

CyberWhite

CyberWhite

CyberWhite is a disruptive provider of cyber security and risk mitigation solutions.

Quintillion Consulting

Quintillion Consulting

Quintillion Consulting is a strategic risk based consulting firm. We help companies safeguard the core business and IT capabilities that deliver competitive advantage.

GRSi

GRSi

GRSi deliver next-generation systems engineering, cybersecurity, technology insertion and best practices-based Enterprise Operations (EOps) management.

National Security Services Group (NSSG) - Oman

National Security Services Group (NSSG) - Oman

National Security Services Group (NSSG) is Oman's leading and only proprietary Cybersecurity consultancy firm and Managed Security Services Provider.

Resolvo Systems

Resolvo Systems

Resolvo is provides comprehensive security assessment and testing services in Asia.

Accedian

Accedian

Accedian is a leader in performance analytics and end user experience solutions, dedicated to providing our customers with the ability to assure their digital infrastructure.

Vaultree

Vaultree

We believe in an encrypted tomorrow. Vaultree technology enables a foundational change in how we communicate with each other: Safely!

Tonex

Tonex

Tonex providing industry-leading technology training, courses, seminars, workshops, and consulting services to companies and government organizations around the world.

Cygna Labs

Cygna Labs

Cygna Labs is a software developer and one of the top three global DDI (DNS, DHCP, and IP address management) vendors.

Inholo

Inholo

Inholo offers tools to manage the risks of synthetic realities, starting with an AI-photo detection service.

Genix Cyber

Genix Cyber

Genix Cyber provides world-class cybersecurity services that protect systems, cloud applications, infrastructure, critical data, and networks from evolving cyber threats.