Important Cloud Security Threats for Philippine SMEs

In recent years, many businesses have moved to Cloud Security environments due to their numerous benefits. However, big rewards come with bigger risks, and cloud environments are a prime target for cybercriminals. In this article, we’ll explain some of the most important cloud security risks you should watch out for.

Important cloud security risks

1. Expanding Attack Surface

As businesses use more cloud computing technologies and microservices, their exposure to attacks increases significantly. Each new cloud workload creates another point where attackers can get in. Even something small, like a DNS request over public Wi-Fi, could potentially expose sensitive data. This shows how relentless cloud security risks can be, with even the best security measures unable to catch every threat.

2. Human error

Human mistakes are among the most common cloud security risks. According to Gartner, by 2025, around 99% of cloud security failures will be due to user errors. The ease of using cloud services can lead to unauthorized use of APIs or configuration errors that create security gaps.

3. Data Breaches

Data breaches involve unauthorized access to or theft of sensitive information. In the cloud, these breaches can be even worse due to configuration mistakes or weak protections. The theft of personal data or internal documents can lead to identity theft, reputational damage, and significant financial losses.

4. Misconfiguration

As cloud providers offer more services and features, keeping security settings in order becomes a difficult task. Each provider has different default settings and configurations, making it difficult for companies to maintain consistent security across platforms. Misconfigurations can lead to serious security gaps that attackers can quickly exploit.

5. Zero-Day Exploits

Zero-day exploits target unpatched software or operating system vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit flaws before software updates, putting even well-configured systems at risk. The cloud’s heavy use of third-party software increases the chance of encountering a zero-day attack.

6. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

APTs are sophisticated attacks where hackers sneak into a network and stay hidden for a long time. In the cloud, APTs are especially dangerous because attackers can move between workloads and collect sensitive data over time. These threats often start with a zero-day exploit and can remain undetected for months, causing extensive damage.

7. Insider threats

This risk involves people within your organization—like employees, contractors, or partners—who misuse their access to harm or steal data. Insider threats are difficult to detect because they already have legitimate access and knowledge of your security setup, making it easier for them to bypass controls.

8. Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks include a wide range of activities, from malware and phishing to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and SQL injections. In cloud environments, these attacks can target both infrastructure and applications, exploiting weaknesses to steal data or disrupt operations.

Challenges in cloud security

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM is crucial for cloud security, but it can be challenging to implement correctly. Organizations must carefully design roles, manage who has access, and enforce controls across various cloud platforms. Mistakes in IAM can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive resources.

2. Lack of Cloud Security Strategy and Skills

Traditional security models do not work well in the cloud. Companies without cloud-specific expertise might struggle to protect their assets. Misunderstanding the shared responsibility model between cloud providers and users can also create security gaps, leaving critical systems exposed.

3. Cloud Compliance

Staying compliant with regulations like PCI DSS and HIPAA is challenging in the cloud. Companies must ensure that sensitive data is well protected and that access controls are strong. Without strong compliance measures, they risk fines and reputational damage.

4. Shadow IT

Shadow IT happens when employees use unauthorized cloud services without going through the proper IT approval process. This creates unmanaged and insecure cloud resources that are straightforward targets for attackers. Security teams must balance monitoring shadow IT activities while allowing the flexibility that cloud services offer.

With SmartOSC, you can stay ahead of cloud security risks.

Cloud security is more important than ever, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. Here’s how SmartOSC can help you manage these cloud security risks:

• Expert Management of Attack Surfaces: As your cloud usage grows, SmartOSC helps identify and secure every potential vulnerability to keep your cloud environment safe.
• Minimizing Human Error: With comprehensive training and automated security solutions, SmartOSC reduces the risk of human mistakes, protecting your cloud environment.
• Preventing Data Breaches: SmartOSC uses advanced encryption and continuous monitoring to protect your data from unauthorized access.
• Defense Against Zero-Day Exploits and APTs: With proactive security measures against zero-day exploits and APTs, SmartOSC stays ahead of emerging threats.
• Managing Insider Threats: SmartOSC uses strict access controls and monitoring to detect and prevent malicious activity within your organization.
• Comprehensive Protection Against Cyber Attacks: From phishing to DoS attacks, SmartOSC offers a multi-layered defense strategy that covers all aspects of cloud security.

Conclusion

The risks, threats, and challenges of cloud security highlight the need for strong cloud security solutions. Partnering with an experienced cloud security provider, such as SmartOSC, is critical to effectively securing your cloud environment. To speak with one of our experts, contact us now.