What Is a Cloud Security Assessment?
A cloud security assessment is a thorough evaluation designed to identify and address security risks in an organization’s cloud infrastructure.
How Can a Cloud Security Assessment Benefit You?
Identify Vulnerabilities
Cloud security assessments help identify potential vulnerabilities in cloud configurations, applications, and services. This proactive approach allows organizations to address weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.
Assure Compliance
Many industries have strict regulatory requirements regarding data security and privacy. Regular cloud security assessments help organizations ensure compliance with standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, reducing the risk of fines and legal repercussions.
Understand Shared Responsibility
Cloud providers often operate under a shared responsibility model, where security obligations are divided between the provider and the customer. Assessments help clarify these responsibilities and ensure that both parties are fulfilling their roles effectively.
Risk Management
Cloud environments can introduce unique risks that may not be present in traditional IT infrastructures. Security assessments help organizations identify and manage these risks, allowing for better-informed decision-making regarding cloud usage and security investments.
Enhance Incident Response
Conducting regular assessments helps organizations evaluate their incident response capabilities in the cloud environment. This includes testing detection mechanisms, response plans, and recovery strategies, ultimately improving readiness for potential security incidents.
Every cloud platform is unique, so it’s important to understand the architecture and controls of your cloud environment for an effective assessment. If you’re curious about what kind of information we’d need to know, we’ve got some FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
If you’d like a more in-depth explanation, feel free to contact us!
Case Studies
here are four examples of companies that experienced significant security incidents due to inadequate cloud assessments, including misconfigurations, weak security practices, and insufficient monitoring:
Social Media Company
2019
Incident Details
In 2019, this company experienced a data leak that exposed millions of records containing user information, including account names, IDs, and personal details. The exposed data was stored on unsecured cloud servers, specifically Amazon S3 buckets.
Cause
Third-party apps and developers who used this company’s platform failed to secure the cloud storage of user data. The company’s cloud assessment practices were insufficient in monitoring third-party partners and ensuring that the data stored on cloud servers was properly secured.
Impact
Although no passwords or credit card information were leaked, the incident raised concerns about this company’s data handling and oversight practices. This added to the growing privacy concerns following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Financial Institution
2019
Incident Details
One of the most notable cloud breaches, this notable credit card company suffered a massive breach affecting 106 million customers. A former AWS engineer exploited a misconfigured web application firewall to access sensitive customer data stored in the bank’s Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud.
Cause
The breach occurred due to a poorly configured AWS instance, which lacked adequate security controls. Inadequate cloud security assessments failed to identify the misconfigured firewall, allowing the attacker to gain access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and bank account details.
Impact
This company faced lawsuits and regulatory penalties, including an $80 million fine from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The incident led to significant reputational damage and loss of customer trust.
Big 4 Consulting Firm
2021
Incident Details
This global consulting and professional services firm, suffered a ransomware attack after attackers accessed a misconfigured cloud database. Data from its cloud environment was exfiltrated, and the attackers demanded a ransom to prevent its release.
Cause
The breach was linked to misconfigured cloud systems that were not properly assessed or secured. Insufficient cloud security assessments and monitoring allowed attackers to gain access to sensitive data, which was then encrypted and exfiltrated.
Impact
The company reportedly restored its systems from backups without paying the ransom, but the breach raised concerns about the company’s cloud security practices. Given that this firm advises other businesses on security, this incident damaged its reputation.
Microsoft (Azure Cosmos DB)
2021
Incident Details
Microsoft’s Azure Cosmos DB service experienced a major vulnerability known as “ChaosDB.” The vulnerability allowed unauthorized access to the databases of thousands of Microsoft Azure customers, potentially exposing sensitive data.
Cause
The incident was due to a series of misconfigurations in Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, specifically related to Jupyter Notebooks integration. Microsoft had failed to conduct thorough cloud assessments and testing, leaving the vulnerability undetected for an extended period.
Impact
Although no data was confirmed to have been compromised, the breach affected many high-profile Azure customers, including large companies and financial institutions. Microsoft issued patches and worked with customers to secure their databases, but the incident underscored the importance of continuous cloud security assessments.