With the rise of hybrid environments, complex network architectures, and multicloud infrastructures, ensuring robust cloud security has become more crucial than ever. The increasing adoption of these technologies means that visibility and context can be challenging, posing difficulties for security professionals who must block sophisticated threats. Given that over 72% of organizations use multicloud applications, securing digital assets and preventing attackers from exploiting any vulnerabilities is imperative. Bad actors are leveraging AI to expand their attack surface, but fortunately, organizations can also utilize AI and other strategies to bolster their cloud security.
1. Minimize the Organization’s Cloud Attack Surface
Reducing the attack surface doesn’t simply mean cutting down on the number of cloud applications in use. Instead, it involves a proactive approach to security, where AI-based behavior profiling comes into play. By adopting AI-driven security measures, the security operations center (SOC) can effectively reduce the attack surface, automate workflows, mitigate potential attacks, and remediate any successful infiltrations. This approach not only enhances overall security but also optimizes the performance and efficiency of cloud applications.
Enterprises should also focus on identifying and securing all entry points that could be exploited by attackers. This involves continuous monitoring and assessment of all cloud applications and services. By doing so, organizations can identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Regularly updating and patching applications, along with implementing robust access controls, can significantly reduce an organization’s exposure to potential attacks. These steps, when combined with AI-based security measures, create a comprehensive and resilient defense strategy against modern threats.
2. Leverage AI for Predictive Mitigation
Using AI tools for predictive mitigation allows for quicker threat detection, investigation, and response compared to traditional methods. Machine learning-based user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) tools are particularly effective in analyzing network behavior and identifying anomalies that could signal a threat. These tools enable security professionals to investigate potential threats rapidly and automate responses to mitigate and remediate attacks effectively. The ability to proactively identify vulnerabilities before an attack occurs is a significant advantage in improving cloud security.
Predictive mitigation goes beyond mere detection and response; it also involves understanding and anticipating possible attack vectors. AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends, providing valuable insights into potential threats. This predictive capability allows security teams to stay one step ahead of attackers, implementing preventive measures to thwart potential breaches. By integrating AI into their security strategy, organizations can enhance their ability to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of their cloud environment.
3. Implement Identity Mapping to Enhance Cloud Security Threat Detection
As enterprises continue their migration to cloud environments, the focus on identity security grows, often surpassing traditional endpoint security measures. Security professionals are increasingly interested in understanding who is exhibiting anomalous behavior, rather than just when, where, or why such behavior occurs. Identity mapping enables security teams to associate cloud activities with specific users within the network, providing valuable contextual data. By knowing who accessed which resources, data, and applications, security personnel can detect and respond to threats more effectively.
Identity mapping also assists in identifying privileged accounts that may pose a higher security risk. By monitoring the activities of these accounts, organizations can detect any unusual or unauthorized behavior that could indicate a security breach. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and enforcing the principle of least privilege can further enhance the security of user identities. These measures, combined with identity mapping, create a robust framework for detecting and mitigating cloud security threats.
4. Depend on a Unified Platform to Examine Threats Across a Multicloud Environment
When threats emerge in the cloud, assessing their potential impact across a distributed or multitenant environment can be challenging. Utilizing a centralized platform allows security personnel to access a comprehensive response center, automating workflows and orchestrating actions with different cloud applications. This approach significantly reduces the mean time to resolve (MTTR) incidents and threats, enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.
A unified platform also enables better visibility and control over the entire cloud environment. By consolidating security data from various sources, security teams can gain a holistic view of their network, identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities more effectively. This centralized approach facilitates more efficient threat detection, investigation, and response, ensuring that security teams can quickly mitigate any risks. Additionally, a unified platform can streamline compliance efforts, helping organizations adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
5. Associate Network Events with Cloud Activities
Correlating network events with cloud activities is crucial for identifying patterns, relationships, and potential threats within an enterprise’s environment. By analyzing data from both network and cloud services, security professionals can develop correlation rules to detect and respond to unusual traffic, anomalous account usage, or unauthorized access to cloud storage. These correlations help defense systems identify and investigate potential security incidents more effectively.
For instance, when investigating potential data exfiltration from a cloud-based CRM tool, a SOC professional might correlate the CRM tool’s logs with those of other cloud applications, such as email or team communication tools. This correlation could reveal a compromised user account and unauthorized data exfiltration, enabling security teams to take swift action to mitigate the threat. Regularly refining and updating correlation rules ensures that security systems remain effective in identifying and responding to emerging threats.
6. Remove Shadow IT and Regularly Perform Cloud Security Risk Evaluations
Shadow IT, the use of unsanctioned applications across the network, poses significant security risks. This trend has increased since the pandemic, leading to vulnerabilities and potential threats within the organization. To combat this, security personnel must frequently conduct cloud security risk assessments and audits. A bottom-up approach allows chief information security officers (CISOs) to gain visibility into granular components before assessing the overall security posture of the network.
Eliminating shadow IT requires a combination of policy enforcement, employee education, and continuous monitoring. By establishing clear guidelines and communication channels, organizations can reduce the proliferation of unsanctioned applications. Additionally, regular risk assessments help identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement within the cloud environment. These evaluations ensure that security measures are up-to-date and effective in mitigating emerging threats.
7. Establish a Clear Incident Response Plan
In the complex landscape of hybrid environments, multicloud infrastructures, and sophisticated network architectures, maintaining strong cloud security is critical. With over 72% of organizations now utilizing multicloud applications, it is essential to secure digital assets and prevent attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities. Malicious actors are increasingly using AI to expand their attack surface. Still, organizations can also leverage AI and other advanced strategies to strengthen their cloud security. Adopting a comprehensive security approach that includes regular risk assessments, employee training, and state-of-the-art monitoring tools is key to keeping pace with evolving threats. Through continuous updates and proactive measures, organizations can effectively secure their cloud environments against potential breaches, ensuring that their digital assets remain well-protected in this technologically complex landscape.
