Cloud security is becoming a major concern for companies of all sizes. Over the last 18 months, 79% of surveyed businesses have experienced a cloud data breach.
This cloud jacking happens when a hacker gains access to a company cloud account, which allows them to do all types of dangerous activities that can be financially devastating to companies.
Just think about all the different types of accounts you access online:
- Online banking
- Accounting application
- Productivity & email combo app (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, etc.)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) app
- Cloud storage (Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.)
- Tax and payroll reporting interface
- And much more
Unfortunately, many of these cloud-based portals are protected with little more than a weak user password.
81% of data breaches involve weak or stolen passwords.
The cloud environment has become the main business technology work hub, and this move to the cloud was recently accelerated by the pandemic. This required companies to move files and work processes online to facilitate a work-from-home workforce.
The types of damage that can be done by hackers that hijack a company cloud account include:
- Ransomware infecting cloud files
- Stolen payment details
- Compromised emails & sensitive files
- Phishing & spam sent from company email addresses
- Addition of a “back door” user for persistent attacks
- Users being locked out of the account
Cloud security should be at the top of your cybersecurity preparedness list. Following are several ways to improve cloud security and prevent cloud jacking.
Block Cloud Jackers with These Security Tips
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
You can combat weak user passwords and the result of having passwords stolen in a breach by implementing multi-factor authentication across all cloud accounts.
MFA is 99.9% effective at blocking account takeovers from stolen or hacked passwords.
MFA involves having a PIN sent to a registered device that is in possession of the device owner (such as your smartphone). This additional step only takes a few extra seconds for the user to log in but provides a big boost to your account protection that makes those seconds well worth it.
Use a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
If you store sensitive information in the cloud and are worried about things like shadow IT (employees using apps for work without your knowledge), then using a CASB, like Microsoft Cloud App Security, provides a great deal of advanced protection.
A CASB will give you the ability to set consistent security policies across all cloud apps and implement single sign-on (SSO) for a smoother user MFA experience across multiple apps.
It can also be used to detect the use of Shadow IT and can evaluate the security risk of cloud apps you may be researching for adoption.
Require VPN Use When on Unsecure Wi-Fi
Users still connect through unsecured Wi-Fi all the time. This leaves any account they log into while on a free hotspot at risk of a hacker that’s on the same public Wi-Fi and using spying software.
It’s important to have employees use a business VPN (virtual private network) when they’re on unsecured or public Wi-Fi to encrypt their connection and keep cloud account login details private.
Use the Rule of Least Privilege
The fewer users you have with advanced admin credentials, the more secure your cloud accounts are. Adopting the Rule of Least Privilege means only granting users the lowest account privileges needed to do their work in the app.
This provides fewer “rich targets” for hackers trying to access a company account. If they hack a lower-level user, then the damage they can do is more limited than if they hack an admin credential.
Monitor Mobile Device Access to Business Cloud Apps
Mobile devices now make up more of a company’s endpoints than computers. Are you monitoring mobile logins to your cloud business accounts?
Using a mobile device manager, like Microsoft Intune, can help you keep track of access privileges for mobile devices and reduce your risk of an account breach via a mobile device.
Have a Professional Configure Your Security Settings
The #1 cause of cloud jacking is misconfiguration of the application settings. According to Trend Micro, between 65%-70% of cloud account breaches are caused by misconfiguration.
Leaving a cloud app at the default settings is not enough to properly protect you. Many SaaS providers default to lower-level security settings, leaving it up to the user to take advantage of more advanced security features.
It’s best to have an IT professional configure your cloud application settings so you can ensure they’re following best practices and keeping your cloud accounts and data properly secured.
Get a Cloud App Security Check from Pro Tech Guy
Pro Tech Guy can help your Framingham business review your cloud application security and implement any needed safeguards to ensure you’re not at risk of cloud jacking.
Contact us today to learn more. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.