Understanding Cloud Misconfiguration: Risks, Prevention, and Solutions

Cloud configuration remains a critical priority for organizations leveraging cloud services, which today, is practically universal. Cloud misconfigurations, in turn, can lead to security vulnerabilities and compliance issues. That’s why it’s more important than ever for organizations to get this fundamental security function right. Here’s what you need to know about cloud misconfiguration, from what causes it to how to remediate it when it does occur.

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What causes cloud misconfiguration? 

Cloud misconfiguration occurs when cloud services or applications have been set up or managed incorrectly. No matter what issues or mistakes lead to cloud misconfiguration, the damage to an organization’s security posture can be severe. Here are some common causes of cloud misconfiguration:

Human error 

It’s possible for security and IT teams to introduce human error while manually setting up and configuring cloud resources. Although this type of risk can be an innocent mistake, it indicates an insufficient understanding of cloud services and their security implications.

Complex cloud environments 

Managing numerous cloud services, each with unique configurations, increases the risk of mistakes and vulnerabilities. In addition, constant changes and updates to each service’s cloud infrastructure can lead to overlooked or outdated configurations.

Misunderstanding the shared responsibility model 

When an organization uses cloud services, security responsibilities must be divided between the cloud provider and the customer (in this case, the organization using the service). Misunderstanding that division of responsibility can mean configuration falls through the cracks. For example, if an organization believes that the cloud provider handles all aspects of security, they might neglect important setup or configuration steps.

Failure to automate 

Relying on manual processes instead of automated tools is a risky way to manage and monitor cloud configurations. Not utilizing available automation tools for configuration management and compliance checks essentially invites vulnerabilities. Manual configuration is also time-consuming and inefficient, which makes human error more likely. The more complex your multi-cloud environment becomes, the more risky it is to manage it manually.

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Deep dive into 6 common cloud misconfigurations 

Here are the six most common cloud misconfiguration issues organizations are likely to see in their multi-cloud environments:

1. Insecure storage configuration

This issue occurs specifically when storage is configured incorrectly. Cloud storage services that are set to public allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. Unencrypted data, whether at rest or in transit, increases the risk of breaches and leads to more severe consequences if breaches do occur. These are storage security fundamentals that must be configured correctly on day one.

2. Excessive permissions 

Granting overly broad permissions to users, apps, or services can lead to potential abuse or exploitation. It’s important to use role-based access controls and the principle of least privilege to ensure permissions are granted only when and where they are absolutely necessary.

3. Unsecured endpoints

Leaving endpoints exposed makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Implementing proper authentication and authorization protocols will help secure every endpoint and create a more robust security posture overall.

4. Lack of real-time monitoring and logging

Most cloud services offer built-in logging features that enable security teams to track activity and develop a broader understanding of normal user behaviors. Choosing not to leverage these real-time monitoring and logging tools leads to a lack of visibility and increases the risk of potential security incidents.

5. Improper configuration of cloud resources 

Failing to implement cloud configuration best practices introduces unnecessary risk. For example, using a flat network architecture without proper segmentation makes it easier for attackers to move laterally within the environment after breaching its perimeter. Similarly, allowing unrestricted access to critical resources from any network location creates vulnerabilities that can easily be avoided.

6. Outdated software and operating systems

Running outdated, unpatched, or unsupported software or operating systems exposes your cloud environment to known vulnerabilities. That’s why most cloud services providers release regular patches that can be applied automatically, keeping the app as up-to-date as possible at all times.

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Tools and techniques for detecting cloud misconfigurations 

For organizations using multiple cloud apps, a security service edge (SSE) solution is critical for detecting and mitigating misconfigurations. Your cloud security solution should be able to do the following things: 

Provide visibility into cloud usage 

Organizations need to be able to monitor all the cloud services in use across their environments. Increased visibility makes it easy to see all cloud configurations at a glance and ensure they are aligned with industry standards and best practices. 

Include compliance management features

Integrated compliance management tools will help ensure that all of your organization’s cloud services security policies satisfy regulatory requirements. It’s a good practice to perform regular audits of all your cloud configurations to maintain compliance and identify any misconfigurations that might lead to compliance violations.

Automatically detect threats

Look for tools that automatically detect unusual behavior and changes that might indicate misconfigurations or malicious activity. User and end entity behavior analysis (UEBA) tools, for example, monitor standard usage to better identify deviations from the norm. Those tools should be able to remediate issues more quickly and effectively by suggesting or automatically implementing configuration updates.

Prioritize data security  

Ensure that any data in the cloud is encrypted while both in transit and at rest. Pay special attention to ensuring that your access controls are properly configured. Implement a data loss prevention (DLP) policy to prevent data breaches caused by misconfigurations like publicly accessible storage or insufficiently protected data.

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Detect and prevent cloud misconfigurations

As organizations continue to transition more and more of their everyday operations to the cloud, it’s important to stay aware of new and emerging risks like cloud misconfigurations. To learn how to make sure your organization is prepared to handle cloud-based threats, download our free e-book, Don’t Leave Behind Cybersecurity in Your Digital Transformation.