6 Ways to Prevent Misconfiguration (the Main Cause of Cloud Breaches)

Businesses now have easy access to cloud solutions, but skipping over security during setup can be risky. When things move fast, cloud systems can end up misconfigured. Protecting these applications is key to keeping your business data safe.

Although cloud security seems like a daunting responsibility, it is actually split into two parts – one managed by the provider and another manageable within your account. By having both entities take ownership of their respective duties in keeping data secure, users can rest assured that they are covered from all angles.

Misconfiguration is a big issue in cloud security and can cause data breaches or simple errors. Companies can face serious consequences if they do not secure their cloud applications. This is why staying alert about cybersecurity matters.

The company failed to maintain the necessary security settings, resulting in a malicious user accessing and downloading files from their cloud system. Without proper access protocols being followed, this breach was inevitable.

Cloud security misconfigurations are common, with almost half of organizations finding between 1 and 50 issues every day. The State of Cloud Security 2021 report highlights this serious problem, which can have big consequences if not fixed.

Some of the main causes of misconfiguration are:

1. Lack of adequate oversight and controls

2. A team lacking security awareness

3. Too many cloud APIs to manage

4. No adequate cloud environment monitoring

5. Negligent insider behavior

6. Not enough expertise in cloud security

Use these tips to keep your cloud data secure.

Learn how your cloud environment works.

Shadow IT is growing, and businesses might not realize they have over ten times more cloud applications and tools in use than they think. Make sure you know what programs your employees are using so you do not fall behind.

Employees sometimes use cloud apps without telling the IT team. This is called 'shadow IT.' Even if they mean well, it can create serious security risks if not managed.

Cloud applications are getting more complex, making it easier to miss security gaps. Shadow cloud apps are especially risky because hackers can take advantage if they are not set up and managed well. To keep your data safe, stay alert and pay close attention.

Applying security measures to something you don’t even know exists? That’s the challenge posed by shadow cloud applications! These “hidden” programs can cause major trouble if left misconfigured, making them a serious threat for any organization.

Restrict Privileged Accounts

Giving too many users privileged accounts can create security risks. More access increases the chance of misconfiguration, and one mistake could let hackers steal your data. Limit the number of people who can change security settings, since someone without enough knowledge might accidentally make your system vulnerable. Make sure you are not an easy target.

To keep cloud tools secure, conduct a thorough audit to find and remove unnecessary privileged accounts. Reducing administrative access to only what is needed helps protect these important resources.

To keep your data safe, deploy automated security policies to protect valuable information.

Automation is essential in reducing the chances of cloud security breaches caused by human error. Microsoft 365’s sensitivity labels guarantee your confidential information won’t be copied – just set the policy and forget it! With this feature, you can ensure that no matter where documents are used or shared in supported cloud applications, they will remain secure.

Use a security audit tool like Microsoft Secure Score to keep your cloud data safe.

Protecting your cloud environment is important for keeping data safe, but you need to be sure there are no misconfigurations putting your security at risk. Finding and fixing these issues can help protect your system from possible threats.

Make sure your cloud environment is secure with the help of an auditing tool like Microsoft Secure Score. This powerful scanner will detect any potential issues, then provide tailored solutions to strengthen security and minimize risks. Invest in a comprehensive protection solution today!

Set up alerts to get real-time updates when your configurations change.

This helps you stay informed and in control.

It can be hard to keep your cloud security settings safe because many things can change them without you noticing.

1. An employee with elevated permissions accidentally changes them

2. A change caused by an integrated 3rd party plug-in

3. Software updates

4. A hacker that has compromised a privileged user credential

To keep your cloud environment secure, use proactive alerts. Set up notifications to warn you about important changes, such as when multi-factor authentication is turned off, so you are not caught by surprise.

Set up an alert system so your team can quickly spot and fix any unexpected changes in security settings.

Ask a cloud specialist to review and adjust your cloud settings to help keep your data secure.

Business owners, executives, and office managers are responsible for keeping their organizations safe from cyber threats, but most are not cybersecurity experts. Setting up the right security solutions often requires expert knowledge that many business professionals lack.

Hackers can wreak havoc on businesses of all sizes, so it pays to have a trusted IT company’s cloud security specialist take a look at your settings. With their help, you can ensure that essential data is secure while also giving employees full access to the tools they need.

Use cloud security to protect your data from attacks and prevent misconfiguration.

Since most work now happens in cloud-based systems, it is important to make sure your company is protected from intrusions and data loss. Our security assessments are designed for your needs. Contact us today to start protecting your organization from misconfiguration risks.