Organisations once kept all their resources and data as hard copies. However, with technological advancement, they converted these into soft ones. Today, data is stored mainly in the cloud for ease of access. This is where cloud security comes in.
With the innumerable benefits cloud storage has ushered, it has also brought in cyber attackers. And thus, cloud-based security came into being. Its sole objective is to protect the data and resources of an organisation.
This blog will discuss the biggest challenges to cloud security in 2023.
What is cloud security?
Cloud security is a part of cybersecurity that protects various cloud computing systems. It comprises technologies, protocols and methods to secure multiple applications running in the cloud and protect data held in the cloud.
Cloud-based security is a shared responsibility between the cloud service provider and the consumer. The service provider protects the infrastructure. The security responsibilities like managing users and protecting cloud-based data assets befall the consumer.
Cloud security includes:
- Controlling access
- Various strategies and policies related to security
- Security measures for the cloud applications and datacentre
- Detecting and preventing threats
- Security measures for user and network
- Regulatory compliance and many others
What are the benefits of cloud security?
There are several benefits that cloud security provides.
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24-hour monitoring
Most cloud-based security solutions provide 24-hour monitoring of assets. It enables organisations to assess various risks and their possible impacts on the business. It delivers threat management that is both proactive as well as responsive.
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Availability
Cloud-based security solutions usually ensure that the resources and applications are available round-the-clock. They work with a network of servers to handle traffic surges, accelerate application performances and minimise access.
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Effectivity
A cloud security solution is very effective against DDoS attacks or distributed denial of services attacks, which are increasing in number and magnitude. It helps to identify, analyse and mitigate DDoS attacks.
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Data security
Protecting data from its creation to its destruction comes under the purview of cloud security. These systems use layers of encryption, multifactor authentication and strong passwords to protect critical data. In addition, certain policies minimise access.
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Regulatory compliance
The robust cloud-based security solutions follow regulatory standards and compliances. It protects privacy as well as fortifies data security for businesses.
What are the upcoming challenges that cloud security will face in 2023?
Although cloud security has a lot of benefits, it comes with a few challenges of its own. With the upgrade in technology, cyber-attackers too have come up with innovative attacking techniques and tools. The most probable vulnerabilities 2023 will bring forth to cloud security are as follows:
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Data breaches
The biggest threat to cloud security is data breaches. A data breach can cause potential harm to the brand value of a company. Some organisations are not equipped with the appropriate resources to nullify a data breach. Consumers lose trust resulting in the organisation losing its ground.
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Lack of expertise
The brands often defer from cloud-based security because they can’t trust their IT professionals to handle all the relevant regulations and strategies.
With more people choosing ethical hacking and cybersecurity as a career nowadays, the dearth of experts in this field will soon see a solution.
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Unauthorised access
Cloud-based security system for a company is off-premises and can be accessed directly from a public network. Although this system helps the employees and consumers, it also gives the cyber attackers an easy option to gain unauthorised access to the resources.
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Violence of compliance
A cloud security system is based on various protocols and regulations. For the system to run appropriately, compliance is necessary. However, often, as a consequence of negligence or some other factor, compliance is overlooked or violated.
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Threats from inside
An insider threat is one of the biggest challenges a company can face while creating robust cloud-based security. A malicious insider with authorised access can target the system and often get away with them without being detected.
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Insecure interface
Cloud-based security systems offer a plethora of programming interfaces for their customers. While these interfaces are designed with easy accessibility for the customer in mind, they often lack security features. The lack of features allows cyber attackers to exploit these interfaces and get access to customer data.
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Abusing cloud service
Cloud services can be used not only for good but also for malicious activities. Phishing attacks, click fraud, crypto mining or hosted pirated content are most common among these. These can lead to significant financial loss for the customers.
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Data sharing
Cloud security makes data sharing an easy procedure with its link-based sharing system. But this link-based sharing system makes it almost impossible to control access to the shared data, which can then lead to data breaches.
Conclusion
If you are interested in cloud security, consider a career in cybersecurity. It is one of the most in-demand career paths with immense job potential in all sectors. You can land a lucrative job with the relevant skills.
Check out the IIT cybersecurity course Advanced certification programme in cybersecurity, brought to you by Imarticus. The course offers classes on core subjects, including information security and ethical hacking.
