Cloud computing has changed how you store, manage, and share data. With this flexibility and convenience comes a new set of risks. Understanding cloud threats is essential for anyone working with cloud platforms, especially as you rely more on these services for critical business operations.

Cloud environments are attractive targets for attackers because they often contain valuable information and critical applications. If you do not recognize common threats, you may leave sensitive data exposed or allow attackers to disrupt your services. Even basic mistakes, like weak passwords or misconfigured settings, can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.

Common Cloud Security Risks

Understanding the most frequent security risks in cloud environments helps you recognize threats and take steps to protect your systems and data.

Data Breaches

A data breach happens when unauthorized users access sensitive data stored in the cloud. This can include customer information, financial records, or intellectual property.

• In 2019, a major financial institution suffered a breach when a misconfigured firewall allowed a hacker to access over 100 million customer accounts stored on a cloud server;
• Data breaches often occur because of weak passwords, poor access controls, or vulnerabilities in cloud applications;
• The impact can include financial loss, legal penalties, and damage to reputation.

Misconfigurations

Misconfigurations occur when cloud resources are set up incorrectly, exposing them to the internet or unauthorized users.

• A global retailer accidentally left a cloud storage bucket open to the public, resulting in the exposure of millions of customer records;
• Common misconfigurations include open storage, overly broad permissions, and disabled security features;
• Attackers actively search for misconfigured resources to exploit.

Insider Threats

An insider threat is when someone within your organization, such as an employee or contractor, misuses their access to compromise cloud security.

• A disgruntled employee at a tech company intentionally deleted cloud-based databases, disrupting business operations for days;
• Insider threats can be intentional or accidental, such as sharing sensitive data by mistake;
• These risks are difficult to detect because insiders often have legitimate access.

DDoS Attacks

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack floods cloud services with massive amounts of traffic, making them unavailable to users.

• A popular online service provider experienced a DDoS attack that overwhelmed its cloud infrastructure, causing outages for millions of users worldwide;
• Attackers use networks of compromised devices to generate traffic and disrupt normal operations;
• DDoS attacks can lead to downtime, lost revenue, and poor user experience.

Recognizing these risks is the first step in building a secure cloud environment. Each risk requires specific strategies and tools to mitigate, which you will explore in upcoming sections.