FEATURE : CLOUD SECURITY
REGULARLY SCAN FOR MISCONFIGURATIONS , VULNERABILITIES , AND COMPLIANCE GAPS .
Jon Murchison , CEO and Founder , Blackpoint Cyber
employees . By combining these defenses , you can better protect against escalating threats .
Q : What role does identity have to play with cloud infrastructure ?
Identity is one of the most critical components of your cloud security strategy . In many ways , it defines your attack surface – without users , many security risks wouldn ’ t exist . Managing who has access to what within the various layers of the cloud stack can be challenging due to its complexity . However , by carefully controlling access at each layer , from infrastructure to applications , you can enhance both security and flexibility . Identity management must be enforced across the entire cloud stack and throughout the deployment pipeline to ensure consistent , robust security .
Q : Is it important to monitor cloud applications used by cloud users ?
Absolutely . Monitoring all applications , especially thirdparty ones , used by your organization ’ s cloud users is critical . Cloud environments make it easy for users to quickly deploy unapproved or ‘ shadow IT ’ applications without proper oversight . This can happen in seconds through cloud marketplaces , potentially introducing significant security risks . Users may unknowingly install these applications , bypassing security protocols and exposing the organization to vulnerabilities . Regular monitoring helps ensure that only approved , secure applications are in use , reducing potential threats .
Q : How can an organization assess its cybersecurity posture when using cloud applications ?
Understanding your environment ’ s cybersecurity posture requires regular risk assessments to establish a security baseline . This means knowing which applications are in use , what data they handle , where that data is stored and how it is processed . Automating these assessments is crucial for scalability , especially given the sheer number of cloud applications in use today . By automating risk evaluations , organizations can continuously monitor and manage their security risks more efficiently , ensuring they stay ahead of potential threats .
Q : What do I really need to protect my cloud ?
At Blackpoint Cyber , the SOC is observing a significant shift in the threat landscape , with a 10-to-1 ratio of cloud attacks versus on-premises attacks . This means that for every on-premises attack our team prevents , there are roughly ten attacks targeting client ’ s cloud environments . Based on that knowledge , our team recommends :
• Security Monitoring and Incident Response : The foundation of cloud security starts with constant visibility . Implement continuous monitoring to detect unusual or suspicious activity across your cloud environment . Pair this with a well-defined incident response plan , allowing your team to quickly react , contain , and recover from any security incidents that arise .
• Identity Controls : Managing who has access to your cloud resources is vital in preventing unauthorized access . Identity and Access Management ( IAM ) ensures that users , applications , and services have the appropriate level of access – no more than what they need to do their jobs . Key steps include implementing multifactor authentication ( MFA ), enforcing role-based access control ( RBAC ), and regularly auditing access rights . Following the principle of least privilege reduces your attack surface and mitigates the risk of account compromise .
• Posture Management : Cloud security posture management ( CSPM ) ensures your cloud environment remains securely configured and compliant with industry standards . Regularly scan for misconfigurations , vulnerabilities , and compliance gaps that attackers could exploit . Using automated tools to detect and remediate issues in real time helps maintain a secure , resilient cloud environment . Proper posture management creates a strong defense baseline , ensuring that all cloud resources are properly configured and protected .
Q : How does one approach Compliance in the cloud ?
Compliance in the cloud follows the same frameworks as traditional environments , such as GDPR , HIPAA and others . The key is to start with a thorough understanding of your cloud data – what type of data you have , where it ’ s stored , who has access to it , and whether the right people have the appropriate permissions . Once you have this foundational knowledge , it becomes much easier to align your cloud environment with the specific requirements of various compliance frameworks . This approach ensures that data privacy , security controls , and access management meet regulatory standards from the start . p
38 INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM www . intelligentcio . com