Dark Clouds Could Be Looming

Cyberattacks in the cloud are often overlooked and increasingly important

By Bence Jendruszak, Co-Founder and COO, SEON

Most businesses today are in a race to migrate systems to the cloud accelerated by the pandemic. During the cloud migration, the importance of implementing effective cybersecurity protocols is often overlooked. However, in recent months, cloud security has become increasingly important thanks in part due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the fear of Russian cyberattacks.

There has also been a wave of cyberhackers using compromised accounts and systems in the cloud to mine cryptocurrencies. This form of hack can severely diminish the computing resources of cloud solutions and prevent systems from performing at an optimal level. Likewise, ransomware attacks in the cloud are on the rise and increasingly used to render entire cloud-based systems inaccessible. Regardless of their form, cyberattacks in the cloud often incapacitate businesses and can cost a lot to fix.

There are several benefits that accompany moving more information to the cloud. From supporting with data storage, to providing additional processing power for essential business tasks, cloud migration enables businesses to leverage the power of modern applications and advanced analytics within their everyday operations.

As businesses continue their digital transformation to the cloud, there is increasing pressure to rollout security solutions to safeguard their networks. Unfortunately, a widescale shift to modern data platforms has created new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit. As criminals become more accustomed to breaching this type of system, the risk for businesses continues to rise.

Many businesses now find themselves asking how they can best bolster cybersecurity measures in the cloud. There is a myriad of appropriate answers, with some being more effective than others.

The first task for many businesses undertaking the cloud migration process is to evaluate the potential risks they may face. Next, companies must assess what represents the most unobtrusive security solution in helping to overcome this challenge. Assessing the first part of that equation is often dictated by the scale and nature of the business in question.

One of the most effective techniques offered to those looking to implement effective cybersecurity measures in the cloud is known as the ‘Zero Trust’ model. The model flips conventional cybersecurity on its head, assuming that the system in question has been compromised and challenging users to prove that they are not the infiltrators. This approach may seem harsh at first, but it can dramatically reduce the risk of hacks, or data losses within cloud storage systems.

Establishing a ‘Zero Trust’ model is an effective way to guarantee effective security within cloud-based applications and storage. By continually requiring verification from users, ‘Zero Trust’ systems offer a proactive approach to cybersecurity and allow organizations to stay ahead of potential threats and bad actors.

It is important to find a cybersecurity solution that can easily be integrated at any online point of authentication. A solution that is designed to help you reduce the cost, time and challenges faced due to fraud so you can focus on what matters most – growing and scaling your business. With a growing dependence on technology and the migration to the cloud, as well as the increased risk of cyberattacks, having comprehensive preventative measures in place will help improve trust among key company stakeholders.

I would also advise most businesses to take a holistic approach to cybersecurity, implementing different methods and techniques to contend with several specific, separate challenges. One such challenge is online fraud, which is now more prevalent than ever.

About the Author

Bence Jendruszak is Co-Founder and COO at SEON. Bence can be reached online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bence-jendruszak/?originalSubdomain=hu and at our company website https://seon.io/