There is a widespread myth that cloud computing is inherently secure. In reality, cyberattacks can happen on any platform, whether it is in the cloud or on-premises.
Cloud computing certainly has its advantages, especially in the current era of remote work. Since cloud services offer scalability and flexibility, they can be quickly scaled up and down as needed. Depending on the current infrastructure and requirements, there’s also the possibility of significant cost savings.
Many cloud storage vendors tout security as a significant benefit. These vendors implement some basic protections against some security threats. In spite of this, you shouldn’t assume that these security measures are sufficient to protect your organisation.
Both cloud and on-premises environments have been exposed to new cybersecurity threats due to remote work’s popularity. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) gives malicious actors more opportunities for attack due to the increased use of remote work tools. Thus, critical vulnerabilities like BlueKeep and DejaBlue are on the rise.
How do cloud security attacks occur?
The first step in preventing cloud cyber-attacks is to understand what constitutes one.
A cloud cyber-attack is one that targets off-site service platforms that provide storage, computing, or hosting services through their cloud infrastructure. There can be attacks on service platforms that use service delivery models such as SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS.
1. Denial of service attacks
DoS attacks overload a system and prevent users from accessing its services. Many users may suffer as a result of these attacks if even one cloud server is flooded.
Cloud systems provide more computational power under high workloads by using more virtual machines and service instances. As much as the cloud system tries to prevent cyber-attacks, it actually makes them more destructive.
The cloud system will also slow down, preventing legitimate users from accessing their cloud services. It is possible for hackers to launch more DDoS attacks in the cloud environment if they use more zombie machines to attack a large number of computers. A DDoS prevention technique is one of the most effective ways to mitigate them.
2. Malware infections
The cloud often appears to be malware-free because security teams have already installed client-side firewalls and endpoint security software. The cloud, however, poses a real threat from malware, which must be detected using multiple layers of security.
A cloud malware infestation spreads rapidly and leaves you open to even more severe threats once it is infiltrated. A malware infection will only worsen if left undetected. In addition to funnelling out protected data, malware can use keyloggers to steal credentials.
3. API vulnerabilities
You might be tempted to rely solely on APIs (application programming interfaces), which are often used to connect across cloud services, to meet all of your needs. However, there has historically been a lack of success in securing APIs in companies.
Code injections and denial-of-service attacks can be used by malicious actors to access company data by exploiting insecure APIs.
4. Pre-hijacking attacks
Account hijacking attacks aim to gain access to the victim’s account, similar to classic account hijacking. The attacker, however, can use a variety of techniques to put an account into a pre-hijacked state if it can create an account at a target service using the victim’s email address before the victim creates an account. The attacker can also regain access and take over the account after the victim has regained access.
5. Unauthorised access
Cloud-based deployments, in contrast to on-premises infrastructure, are directly accessible via the public internet. Employees and consumers benefit from the accessibility of cloud-based resources, but it also makes it easier for attackers to gain unauthorised access. An attacker using a compromised credential or incorrectly configured security can get direct access, sometimes without the organisation’s knowledge. The Cloud Access Security Broker acts as a physical and digital bridge between cloud service providers and their clients.
Conclusion
Cloud security attacks enable hackers to target a larger number of systems, making it more difficult for security teams to detect and mitigate the attack. Businesses must employ a multi-layered approach to security to defend against this cyber-attack. This includes strong authentication (like Security Monitoring & Analytics or Web Traffic & Network Security Vulnerability Management), network segmentation, monitoring, and scanning.
To further improve your organisation’s security against cloud security attacks, consider partnering with SEMNet to stay ahead of the curve and receive proactive monitoring and mitigation services. We offer a Cloud Security Assessment to assist you in strengthening your posture and identifying any gaps in your cloud security that may exist.
As a reputable IT infrastructure and cybersecurity consulting firm, you can rest assured that your business’s data and network are safe. Our broad range of services, including AI Email Security, AI Automated Security Training, End Point EDR / Patch Management, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), SOAR security orchestration, and enterprise email security solutions in Singapore, help businesses in various industries safeguard their data and network from cyber threats. Contact us today to transform your business with cutting-edge IT solutions.