Security Issues in Cloud Computing

According to CSA or Cloud Security Alliance, more than 70% of the businesses in the world operate via the cloud.

Cloud storage comes with benefits like lower costs, automatic software updates, higher flexibility, increased collaboration. Cloud storage gives users the freedom to access data and work no matter where they are. Even with convenience, some security issues come with it. It may come as a surprise, but as many as 90% of agencies using cloud storage have concerns about the security of cloud storage. These concerns often center around the vulnerability to hacking. Malicious hackers can get into accounts and breach data security. To get a broader picture of the risks here are some concerns most people express:

1. Data Breach

Cloud storage and computing is a relatively new phenomenon and has existed for some years. One important question that often pops up is “Is it safe to store data online rather than on the premises or in-house?”

According to a study titled “Man in Cloud Attack,” more than 50% of the IT and security professionals believe that the security of their organization is low. They have taken fewer measures to ensure their security.

2. Hijacked Accounts

The implementation and growth of the cloud in organizations have led to a new issue – hijacked accounts. Hackers have succeeded in taking over accounts and the data in them. They can steal and use employees’ credentials to login and access the sensitive information stored over the cloud.

3. Insider Threats

It may seem unlikely, but sometimes, people from inside your organization become a threat. They use unauthorized access to access and misuse sensitive information e.g. customer credentials and financial forms.

4. Malware Injection

When the wrong kind of people attack cloud-stored data, they can inject malware or embed codes that become “invalid instances” and run on SaaS cloud servers. This can cause malicious code to cause problems on the cloud server.

5. Cloud Services Abuse

With the increased use and expansion of cloud storage and cloud-based services, small and large enterprises have been hosting a huge amount of data. Illegal software, digital properties, hackers, and outsiders can easily spread malware and access data. The risks of stolen data also involve pirated versions of data e.g. music, books, videos, etc.

6. Insecure APIs

Application Programming Interfaces tend to give users the option to customize their experience. APIs can be a risk to cloud security due to their nature. However, they are an authentic solution for most businesses, because they provide encryption, controlled access, and are authentic.

7. Data Loss

When there is a malicious attack, there is the risk of losing data stored on the cloud. Besides, even if there is a natural disaster, the service provider can lose its entire data. This instance can prove devastating for businesses that do not have a backup or recovery plan.

Conclusively, to make the most out of cloud storage, it is important to take necessary measures against these concerns. Business owners should build strategies to protect their data.