The Top Six Cloud Cybersecurity Risks, Australia 2023
As cloud computing rapidly evolves, so too does the threat landscape that surrounds it. Cyber attackers are constantly finding new and sophisticated ways to exploit vulnerabilities, posing significant risk to business operations.
This list highlights several major risks that cybersecurity leaders face when protecting workloads in the cloud, based on the insights presented by Australian cybersecurity leaders in our new report, Considerations in Cloud Cybersecurity, Australia, 2023.
1. Misconfigurations and human error
Failure to properly use the tools and controls available for cloud platforms is a common cause of cloud security breaches. Human error alone accounted for 33% of data breaches in the first half of 2022.
Organisations must ensure they implement the appropriate security mechanisms provided by cloud providers like AWS, Google, and Azure.
2. Poor change control
Proper change control processes are crucial to managing cybersecurity risk. An inadequate approval process for system changes can lead to unintended exposures and vulnerabilities.
3. API vulnerabilities
API integrations are an essential component of modern cloud infrastructure. Ensuring the correct security controls and configurations for APIs is critical for preventing breaches and protecting sensitive information.
4. Insecure software development
The fast-paced nature of cloud software development can sometimes lead to lax security practices. Incorporating security into every stage of software development, from design to deployment, will minimize the risk of deploying vulnerable applications.
5. Third-party risk
Cloud services frequently interact with external third parties, creating additional risk. Organisations must establish secure controls with third-party partners and monitor their compliance with security requirements consistently.
6. Identity compromise
Identity theft and account takeover attacks are prevalent in both cloud and on-premises environments. Strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and regular monitoring of user account activity can help mitigate these risks.
Safeguarding against cloud-centric cybersecurity risks requires a proactive approach, thorough understanding of the complex threat landscape, and the implementation of robust security controls and best practices.
Read the full Considerations in Cloud Cybersecurity, Australia 2023 report for free now by following this link
