Top 6 Cloud Security Threats and How to Avoid Them

Cloud security threats are a growing concern, with 83% of organizations worried about their cloud security in 2024, according to Netgate. This concern is justified, as IBM reports that 82% of data breaches in 2023 involved cloud storage.

The most significant cloud security threats include data breaches, which can cause severe financial and reputational damage, and misconfigured cloud settings that leave systems vulnerable.

Insider threats from employees, phishing attacks targeting cloud accounts, insecure APIs, and DDoS attacks disrupting operations are also major risks.

In 2023, cloud data breaches caused average financial losses of $3.8M, with 70% leading to significant downtime and reputational damage, as seen in a financial firm's misconfiguration incident.

Misconfigured cloud settings accounted for 70% of incidents, exposing sensitive data and disrupting operations, with a UK firm in 2023 facing public backlash.

Insider threats caused major financial losses, operational issues, and reputational harm, such as a US company's 2023 breach affecting customer trust.

Phishing attacks on cloud accounts resulted in financial losses, service disruptions, and reputational damage, including a UK organization's 2023 incident.

Insecure APIs enabled data breaches and service outages, harming firms like a US company in 2023 whose exposed data eroded trust.

DDoS attacks disrupted cloud services, causing revenue loss and reputational harm, exemplified by a UK firm in 2023 facing prolonged outages.

What Is Cloud Security?

Cloud security refers to the practices, technologies, and policies used to protect data, applications, and infrastructure that are hosted in the cloud.

It involves ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of cloud resources, preventing unauthorized access, and safeguarding against threats like data breaches, malware, and service disruptions.

Key aspects of cloud security include data encryption to protect information both in transit and at rest, access control to manage who can access cloud resources and what actions they can perform, and compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. It also involves continuous monitoring to detect potential threats and having an incident response plan in place. Proper security configuration of cloud services is essential to minimize vulnerabilities.

Effective cloud security is a shared responsibility between the cloud service provider and the customer, with each party playing a important role in maintaining a secure environment.

What Are the Types of Cloud Security?

There are several types of cloud security, each focusing on different aspects of protecting cloud environments. These types include:

1. Data Security: Protects data in transit (while being transferred) and at rest (while stored) through encryption, data masking, tokenization, and key management.
2. Identity and Access Management (IAM): Ensures that only authorized users access cloud resources using multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and single sign-on (SSO).
3. Network Security: Secures the network layer of cloud environments with firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDPS), and secure access service edge (SASE).
4. Application Security: Secures cloud-hosted applications through secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and web application firewalls (WAFs).
5. Compliance and Legal Security: Ensures cloud operations comply with laws, regulations, and industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.
6. Threat Detection and Incident Response: Monitors cloud environments for suspicious activities using security information and event management (SIEM) tools and prepares for security incidents.
7. Cloud Configuration Security: Minimizes vulnerabilities by setting secure configurations, managing permissions, and using configuration management tools.
8. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Maintains operations during disruptions through backup solutions, disaster recovery plans, and redundancy measures.
9. Endpoint Security: Protects devices accessing the cloud using antivirus software, endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, and mobile device management (MDM) systems.

Each type of cloud security is significant for protecting different aspects of a cloud environment, ensuring a comprehensive security posture.

Why is Cloud Security Essential?

Cloud security is essential because it safeguards sensitive data, applications, and infrastructure within cloud environments from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats. As businesses increasingly shift to cloud services for storage, computing, and daily operations, the potential risks of security breaches grow significantly.

Effective protection of cloud security threats plays a critical role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, which is vital for maintaining customer trust, meeting legal and regulatory requirements, and avoiding costly disruptions to business operations.

Moreover, the cloud operates on a shared responsibility model, where both the service provider and the customer must work together to protect the environment.

This collaboration is important for reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring that all aspects of the cloud infrastructure are secure. Without robust protection of cloud security threats, organizations are exposed to a wide range of risks that can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Therefore, strong cloud security is not just an option—it is a necessity for any organization using cloud services.

The Top 6 Cloud Security Threats

Today cloud security faces significant challenges as businesses increasingly depend on cloud environments.

Data breaches and misconfigured settings have become prominent concerns, often resulting in unauthorized access and data exposure. Insider threats and account hijacking, where attackers exploit weak passwords or phishing schemes, present significant risks to cloud infrastructure.

Additionally, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks have grown more sophisticated, aiming to disrupt cloud operations, while insecure APIs expose sensitive data and open pathways for attackers.

These evolving threats highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and proactive cloud security measures to protect against an increasingly complex risk landscape.

Data Breaches

In 2024, data breaches are one of the biggest threats to cloud security. These breaches happen when hackers find ways to access sensitive data stored in the cloud, often by taking advantage of poorly set up cloud systems, weak passwords, or flaws in cloud software.

As cloud environments become more complex, even small mistakes can lead to big data leaks. Insider threats and phishing attacks, where attackers trick people into giving up their login information, increase this risk even further.

The impact of a data breach can be serious, leading to huge financial losses, legal consequences, and damage to a company’s reputation. This makes it important for organizations to strengthen their cloud security.

Insecure APIs

Today insecure APIs have emerged as a significant threat to cloud security. APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, allow different software applications to communicate and work together in the cloud.

While they are essential for integrating cloud services, if not properly secured, APIs can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or cloud resources. As businesses increasingly rely on APIs, the risk of attacks through these channels grows.

Once attackers exploit an insecure API, they can steal or manipulate data, disrupt services, and cause further damage. To counter this threat, organizations must secure their APIs with strong practices like regular testing, authentication, and encryption, ensuring their cloud environments remain protected.

Hijacking of Accounts

Account hijacking has become a rising concern in cloud security. Account hijacking involves attackers taking over a user's cloud account, often through tactics like phishing, exploiting weak passwords, or taking advantage of security flaws in the cloud service.

Once an attacker gains control of an account, they can access sensitive data, alter information, or use the compromised account to launch additional attacks within the cloud environment. As reliance on cloud services continues to grow, so does the threat of account hijacking.

The impacts can be serious, leading to data breaches, financial harm, and significant service disruptions. To defend against this threat, it is important for organizations to implement strong security measures, including multi-factor authentication, continuous account monitoring, and comprehensive user education on how to spot phishing attempts and other threats.

Misconfigurations

As cloud usage continues to expand, misconfigurations have become a major cloud security concern. Misconfigurations occur when cloud settings are not properly configured, leaving systems and data vulnerable to unauthorized access.

These errors can happen easily, such as leaving storage buckets publicly accessible or failing to set up proper access controls. As cloud environments grow more complex and widespread, the risk of misconfigurations increases.

The consequences can be severe, leading to data breaches, exposure of sensitive information, and significant operational disruptions.

To address this challenge, it is essential for organizations to implement thorough configuration management practices, regularly audit their cloud settings, and ensure that security best practices are followed at all times. These steps are important in minimizing the risks associated with misconfigurations and protecting cloud infrastructures from potential threats.

Unauthorized Access

As cloud adoption continues to rise, unauthorized access has become a pressing concern in cloud security.

Unauthorized access occurs when individuals gain entry to cloud systems or data without proper permission, often exploiting weak access controls, poor password management, or security vulnerabilities.

This type of breach can lead to severe consequences, including data theft, loss of sensitive information, and disruptions to business operations.

As cloud environments grow more complex, the risk of unauthorized access increases, making it important for organizations to strengthen their security measures. Implementing strong access controls, such as multi-factor authentication, along with regular monitoring and prompt updates to security protocols, can help prevent unauthorized access. By prioritizing these strategies, organizations can better protect their cloud resources and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized intrusions.

Lack of Visibility

As cloud technology continues to advance and environments become increasingly complex, the lack of visibility into cloud operations has become a major security concern. Lack of visibility occurs when organizations are unable to fully monitor and understand their cloud infrastructure, leaving blind spots that can be exploited by attackers.

Without clear insight into who is accessing what data, how resources are being used, and where potential vulnerabilities lie, it becomes challenging to detect and respond to security threats in a timely manner. This can lead to undetected data breaches, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies.

To combat this, organizations must invest in comprehensive monitoring tools and practices that provide real-time visibility across all cloud environments. By enhancing visibility, companies can more effectively manage their cloud security, quickly identify and address potential threats, and maintain control over their cloud resources.

How to Protect Against Cloud Security Threats?

To protect against cloud security threats, organizations should implement several key strategies:

• Use Strong Access Controls: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and limit access based on user roles to ensure only authorized people can access sensitive data and systems.
• Encrypt Data: Make sure data is encrypted both when stored and when being transferred, so even if it’s caught, it can’t be easily read.
• Monitor and Audit Regularly: Continuously check cloud environments for unusual activities and regularly review settings and access logs to quickly identify and address potential threats.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update all software and cloud services with the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Train Employees: Educate employees on basic cloud security practices, such as recognizing phishing emails and using strong passwords, to minimize the risk of mistakes.
• Have Backup and Recovery Plans: Set up reliable backup systems and disaster recovery plans to ensure you can quickly recover from a security breach or other issues.

By following these steps, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of top 6 cloud security threats and better protect their data and systems.

Main Cloud Security Concerns in 2024

In 2024, cloud security concerns are becoming more linked. As more sensitive data moves to the cloud, the risks of data loss, leakage, and breaches grow. Protecting data privacy and preventing unauthorized access are important, especially as accidental exposure of credentials can lead to severe security breaches. These challenges underscore the need for strong access controls, continuous monitoring, and effective incident response. As cloud adoption expands, addressing these concerns requires a comprehensive, proactive approach. In the following sections, we'll explore these issues in more detail.

Data Loss/Leakage

Data loss or leakage remains one of the most critical cloud security concerns in 2024. As organizations store increasingly sensitive information in the cloud, the potential for this data to be accidentally or maliciously exposed grows significantly.

Data loss can occur through various means, such as misconfigurations, human error, or sophisticated cyberattacks.

The consequences of data loss are severe, ranging from financial penalties to reputational damage and loss of customer trust. To mitigate these risks, organizations must implement strong data encryption, both in transit and at rest alongside strict access controls.

Regular audits and monitoring are also essential to quickly identify and address any vulnerabilities that could lead to data exposure. Ensuring comprehensive backup and recovery plans is important to minimize the impact of any potential data loss incidents.

Data Privacy/Confidentiality

With more organizations moving sensitive data to the cloud in 2024, ensuring data privacy and confidentiality is increasingly important. Unauthorized access to personal and proprietary information can lead to significant legal and reputational issues.

Common vulnerabilities, such as inadequate encryption and weak access controls, can leave data at risk. To mitigate these threats, organizations should implement strong encryption for data both in transit and at rest, and enforce rigorous access management.

Regular security audits are also significant for identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities. By prioritizing these measures, organizations can better protect their data and maintain compliance with privacy regulations.

Accidental Exposure of Credentials

Accidental exposure of credentials is a significant cloud security concern in 2024, as it can easily lead to unauthorized access and serious breaches. This exposure often occurs when credentials, such as passwords or API keys, are inadvertently shared, stored insecurely, or embedded in code repositories.

Such incidents can provide attackers with the keys to sensitive data and systems, potentially leading to widespread compromise. To prevent this, organizations must enforce strict policies on credential management, including the use of secure storage solutions and regular rotation of credentials.

Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional layer of security, making it harder for attackers to exploit exposed credentials. Regular training for employees on the importance of secure credential handling is also essential to minimize human error.

By taking these steps, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of accidental credential exposure and protect their cloud environments from unauthorized access.

Incident Response

Effective incident response is more critical than ever as cloud environments become increasingly complex and cyber threats more sophisticated. When a security incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response can significantly impact the extent of the damage.

A well-prepared incident response plan should include clear protocols for identifying, containing, and mitigating threats as quickly as possible. This includes real-time monitoring of cloud environments to detect suspicious activities early, as well as predefined roles and responsibilities to ensure swift action.

Regular drills and simulations are essential to ensure that all team members are familiar with the response procedures and can act decisively under pressure. Additionally, maintaining detailed logs and reports of incidents helps organizations learn from past experiences and improve their defenses.

By prioritizing a proactive and structured incident response, organizations can minimize the impact of security breaches and better protect their cloud assets.

Enhance Cloud Security with Keepnet’s Advanced Protection Strategies

Keepnet takes a proactive approach to cloud security, offering a comprehensive suite of tools designed to tackle every aspect of cloud threats.

From preventing phishing attacks to responding quickly to incidents, Keepnet empowers your organization with the essential resources to stay ahead of threats and secure your cloud environment.

Each tool in Keepnet’s human risk management platform is crafted to address specific security challenges:

• Phishing Incident Responder: This tool automates the detection and response to phishing threats, utilizing over 20 analysis engines and AI capabilities. It ensures rapid investigation and removal of suspicious emails, even across large employee bases, while maintaining privacy and seamless integration with systems like Office 365 and Google Workspace.
• Security Awareness Training: Tailored to various employee roles, this training platform provides interactive modules and continuous updates to keep employees informed about the latest cybersecurity threats. It includes robust reporting tools and customizable training paths to ensure maximum relevance and engagement.
• Phishing Simulations: Keepnet offers a variety of realistic phishing simulations, including vishing, smishing, QR phishing, and callback phishing. These simulations are powered by AI, providing customizable, scenario-based training that mirrors real-world attacks, helping employees recognize and respond to diverse phishing attempts.
• Threat Intelligence & Sharing: Keepnet’s platform allows organizations to share and collaborate on threat intelligence, enabling proactive defense against potential threats. This tool provides detailed insights into data breaches, employee involvement, and compromised information, enhancing overall security posture.

To learn more about how Keepnet's Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulator can protect your organization from cloud security threats, watch our detailed explainer video.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on December 11, 2024.