How to Protect Your Business Against 3 Common Cloud Vulnerabilities
Cloud computing programs are the most commonly used platforms today, but many companies fail to recognise the potential vulnerability within their infrastructure. Every business is at risk of a security breach, regardless of its size.
You can quickly become the target of malware and ransomware when you fail to strengthen your structural operations. Not only will your own user accounts and data be compromised, but your clients as well, which can put you in difficult situations if they seek legal retribution after a cyberattack.
It’s essential to improve your cloud infrastructure and protect your company. Keep reading to learn about the three most common cloud vulnerabilities and how you can avoid them!
1. Unsecured APIs
Your Application Programming Interfaces (API) is the software you use to communicate between two applications, allowing the different systems to interact successfully. They connect to the internet and send data to the server, which then interprets your instructions and sends the data back to you after performing the necessary action, providing you with the final information you were looking for. APIs are used for nearly every interaction, such as checking the weather or finding flights online.
Modern APIs are standardised and have much more software protection but can still pose a risk to your business since hackers often target them. Cybercriminals want to breach your APIs because they create various access points into your networks. APIs interact with nearly all of your infrastructure and quickly compromise the entire operations if they’re not managed and monitored correctly.
You’ll need to increase your protection surrounding your APIs by giving them conditional access only. This means that specific trusted devices that you have pre-authorised will be the only ones able to access them and your network. You can utilise multi-factor authentication, too, and you’ll need an extra protective layer of security for any mobile device. The software you set up can detect any malicious content and continuously analyse it for risk detection.
2. Security Misconfigurations
Misconfigurations are security controls that have been poorly maintained or neglected, potentially exposing your data because of its flawed systems. At some point, it’s unavoidable to have configurations. Although they aren’t difficult to solve, it can be tricky to find them in your extensive infrastructure and quickly repair them. These mistakes can put your entire network at risk from hackers who specifically target your weak points.
Any incorrect setting or technical issue can lead to misconfigurations that cybercriminals will quickly exploit. It can appear anywhere in your network, from servers and browsers to applications and operating systems. Your business needs to focus on infrastructure visibility and layer your security to cover all potential gaps. Most modern cloud programs offer robust security features, which you should take full advantage of to increase your protection even more. Utilise multi-factor authentication, increase firewalls, improve identity management, and add conditional access. Misconfigurations aren’t hard to fix but can be challenging to locate before a hacker can gain access.
3. Unauthorised Access
Using the cloud significantly improves your business’ IT infrastructure, but you can’t use it blindly–you need to be aware of everything that goes on in your network. Your operations and private data come in contact with a bunch of other third-party networks and vendors, making yours vulnerable to an attack. If you protect yourself adequately, you won’t have to fear a system breach. However, if your infrastructure is poorly managed, it can result in your business network struggling with unauthorised access.
You’ll need to conduct assessments of your supply chain and do a complete audit of your applications and network. Carefully inspect your systems and figure out exactly who has access to your sensitive data and whether applications have hidden dependencies. You’re accountable for your data and that of your clients, so you can never be lax or obscure. Find out where your info is stored, who your cloud vendor works with, and their various responsibilities. Supply chains are complex, but you need to be aware of all of these factors.
Cloud programming is crucial to modernising your workforce and IT infrastructure. It allows for greater freedom, helping your business grow and manage itself. Cloud-based networks prevent location dependency while increasing productivity. It also lowers overall expenses and the risk of complete data loss. Although it is the ideal program choice, you need to monitor your networks carefully and focus your resources on maintaining a solid infrastructure and preventing possible vulnerabilities.
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