Uncovering Your Cloud Security Risks

In the dynamic world of cloud computing, understanding and addressing security risks is paramount. Cyclone 365 sheds light on five key risk areas that businesses should be aware of. While we delve into these risks, it's essential to remember that security can be both effective and approachable.

1. Misconfigurations:

Misconfigurations top the list as a prominent risk area. The NSA already warned about this in January 2020, emphasizing the importance of the shared responsibility model. In simple terms, cloud service providers (CSPs) and cloud consumers share the responsibility for securing cloud assets. However, misunderstandings about these responsibilities often lead to misconfigurations, leaving vulnerabilities. Misconfigurations affect 60% of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) usage, 57% of Azure, and 34% of Amazon Web Services (AWS).

2. External-Facing Vulnerabilities:

Next up are external-facing vulnerabilities. These are weaknesses in cloud assets that are accessible from the public internet, making them prime targets for attackers. For instance, the Log4Shell vulnerability serves as an example. While patches exist for Log4Shell, a concerning 68.44% of detections remain unpatched on external-facing cloud assets.

3. Weaponized Vulnerabilities:

Weaponized vulnerabilities pose the third significant risk. Think of them as handing a key to your cloud to anyone who exploits these vulnerabilities. Log4Shell, mentioned earlier, is an example. It allows attackers to execute code or leak sensitive information, and it's widespread across cloud environments. Unfortunately, remediating Log4Shell vulnerabilities takes an average of about 136.36 days, which is roughly four and a half months.

4. Malware in the Cloud:

The fourth risk is the presence of malware lurking in your cloud. While this doesn't mean it's game over, ignoring it can lead to dire consequences. The primary threats here are cryptomining and malware, which can provide a foothold for attackers or enable lateral movement. Cryptomining, in particular, consumes valuable compute cycles, leading to increased costs. If you find a cryptominer in your cloud, it's crucial to also search for additional malware and address the entry point.

5. Remediation Lag:

Finally, there's the issue of slow vulnerability remediation. Waiting too long to patch vulnerabilities can be detrimental to your security. Log4Shell, with its 136-day remediation timeframe, is a prime example. Quick and effective patching is crucial to reduce vulnerabilities. Automated patching is often more efficient than manual efforts, offering an 8% improvement in the patch rate for non-Windows systems and a two-day reduction in remediation time.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, cloud security is an ongoing challenge, but it's essential to prioritize these risks effectively. Cloud computing is evolving rapidly, and attackers are always on the lookout. Employing automation and artificial intelligence can be central to protecting your cloud assets. Automation is central to cloud security because in the cloud, computing resources are numerous and in constant flux. Stay vigilant, embrace automation, and safeguard your cloud environment. If you want more in-depth information, click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting.