Cloud security audits are essential to protect cloud-hosted apps and data from unauthorized use and theft. Cloud providers put businesses on the same level by enabling them to host their data and apps in the cloud.
However, some security issues are associated with agility. Cloud security breaches would be costly both financially and in terms of reputation and could mean losses that involve a lot of manpower to prevent.
This blog will cover everything you want to know about cloud security and the audits performed to assess it. We will begin by discussing a cloud security audit, why it is needed, and what the steps are. Then, we will discuss some of the challenges of the cloud security testing process and how to select the right audit provider.
What is a Cloud Security Audit?
A cloud security audit examines an organization’s security controls to shield its data and other resources in the cloud. An external auditor carries out the audit, typically using different test cases and checklists to ascertain if the desired security posture is satisfactory.
What Does “Security-in-the-Cloud” Mean?
Cloud security is rooted in a model of shared responsibility between customers and cloud providers. Customers are held accountable for the security of their data and applications, while the security of infrastructure lies with the cloud providers. The table below will make you realize this more clearly.
| Type of Cloud Service | Security Responsibilities of Cloud Providers | Security Responsibilities of Clients |
| Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) | Virtualization. Network, Infrastructure, Physical | User Access, Data, Application, Operating System |
| Platform as as Service (PaaS) | Operating System, Virtualization, Network, Infrastructure, Physical | User Access, Data, Application |
| Software as a Service (SaaS) | Application, Operating System, Virtualization, Network, Infrastructure, Physical | User Access, Data |
5 Reasons Why Cloud Security Audits Are Necessary
Cloud security services have become the new norm for businesses of all sizes. It offers many advantages in terms of cost, scalability, and agility.
However, the cloud also comes with some security challenges. For various reasons, it is necessary to evaluate the security health of your cloud environment and the data hosted on the cloud regularly.
1. Compliance With Regulations
A cloud security audit determines compliance risk and recommends remediation. Businesses can differentiate themselves from their competitors by being compliant with regulations and establishing brand trust and credibility.
2. Data Security
Cloud service security can assist in ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. They help organizations know their cloud environment and recognize potential threats. They also enable them to create the right controls to mitigate such threats.
3. Effectiveness of Security Controls
Performing cloud security audits periodically tests the efficiency of your organization’s security controls. It allows you to confirm that your security controls efficiently identify and stop unauthorized access to information.
4. Prevent Data Loss
Audits assist in measuring your organization’s risk for data loss and how susceptible you are to it. You would have to spot probable causes for data loss and address them first through the use of information from a security audit.
5. Enhance Security Posture
The discovery of security control weaknesses allows an organization to review its cloud security posture and improve it where needed to avoid data breaches and attacks.
How is a Cloud Security Audit Conducted?
A cloud security network is done by a third-party independent, for example, Qualysec. The auditor will review the customer’s security controls and recommend improvements. The security audit process usually involves the following steps:
Steps Involved in a Cloud Security Audit
- Planning and scope definition: During this step, the objectives, scope, and method of the audit are defined.
- Data gathering: Collecting data for the cloud environment is done during this step. The data is gathered manually or by using automatic tools.
- Analysis and reporting: This entails evaluating the gathered data and making a report that pinpoints risks and vulnerabilities.
- Recommendations: This is where one advises on how risks and vulnerabilities can be reduced.
- Remediation: The suggestions obtained in the above step are utilized to repair the cloud vulnerability management.
10-Point Cloud Security Audit Checklist
Here is a checklist used by the best cloud security firms upon an audit:
- Determine the cloud provider(s) and the service(s) utilized.
- Get to know the cloud provider’s security controls.
- Determine who has access to the cloud environment and the access level.
- Verify data in transit is encrypted.
- Verify data at rest is encrypted.
- Verify solid authentication and authorization controls.
- Apply least privilege principles.
- Audit activity within the cloud environment.
- Utilize tools to scan for atypical or suspicious behavior.
- Ensure your cloud environment is current with the latest security patches and updates.
Latest Penetration Testing Report
Challenges Involved in a Cloud Security Audit
There are serious challenges in performing security audits in cloud environments because they are dynamic, complex environments, and each cloud security providers have its own policies.
1. Constant Change
Cloud security solutions are dynamic, and new services, features, and configurations are being released continuously. This is a challenge for auditing because all these changes need to be taken into consideration and properly integrated into the audit.
2. Diverse Security Policies
Security policies of cloud services differ among providers. In selecting a cloud provider, you need to be extremely careful regarding the security tests you are provided with and make sure that the audited space does not contradict the terms of service of the provider.
3. Complexity and Scale
Cloud structures tend to be large and complicated, consisting of multiple interdependent parts. One of the biggest security auditing challenges is that finding sufficient information for a decent audit can take a long time.
4. Differing Security Levels
Companies can receive varying degrees of protection from cloud providers—basic and enterprise-level. This variation may make it difficult to confirm all possible risks and threats in the system, especially when you’re using several providers or services from one provider.
Things to Look for in a Cloud Security Testing Firm
Cloud security testing may be a long, tiring, and nerve-wracking process, given how much relies on it. You should hire assistance from auditors who suit your requirements the best. Following are certain qualities of the cloud pentest providers you need to explore:
The cloud security test provider ought to possess automated and manual security test capabilities to perform a complete security audit.
The security audit provider must be compatible with and aware of the cloud security policies imposed by your cloud service provider.
Your security provider should provide guidance on the best cloud security practices, and your employees should undergo training.
It’s easier to live with it if the audit vendor provides remediation assistance.
The security audit company should assist you in preparing for the security compliances that you wish to attain.
Cloud Security Testing With Qualysec
Qualysec has established a benchmark in security scanning through its synergy of automated vulnerability scanning and pen cloud security testing. Qualysec is a robust, precise, and user-centric security solution provider for efficient cloud vulnerability assessment and penetration testing for AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Our automated scanner runs 10,000+ tests to scan every vulnerability beforehand, and our security professionals manually scrutinize these scans and run hacker-like tests to leave no stone unturned.
Your cloud setup is tested against CIS benchmarks, OWASP top 10, SANS 25, and other relevant industry standards. The pentest compliance feature, accessible from the vulnerability management dashboard, provides a clear picture of your compliance scenario.
Key Features:
- Platform: SaaS
- Pentest Capabilities: Continuous automatic scans with 10,000+ tests and manual pen tests
- Accuracy: Zero false positives (with vetted scans)
- Compliance Scanning: OWASP, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO27001, and SOC2
- Publicly Verifiable Pentest Certification: Yes
- Workflow Integration: Slack, JIRA, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, and more
Conclusion
Whereas cloud providers are beneficial in many ways, including cost savings and scalability, they also present new security challenges. Having the right security testing firm can minimize the risk of storing data in the cloud and the complexity and cost of cloud security.
Organizations can reduce risks, safeguard sensitive information, and ensure compliance with industry standards by making cloud security audits a priority and performing periodic audits. Establishing a security culture within your organization is crucial; the appropriate security provider will allow you to do so. Arrange a call with a security professional and have a productive conversation.
Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business.
FAQs
1. What is the time duration of a cloud security audit?
A cloud security audit may take anywhere from 1-4 weeks, depending on the size of the cloud storage, the information stored inside it, and how much depth you require in the testing. On average, ten days are needed to finish the process.
2. How much does a cloud security audit cost?
The price of a cloud security audit will depend quite significantly on the extent of the audit, the size of the enterprise, and the nature of operations you have in the cloud. $5000 is a rough estimate.
3. Are cloud security audits and compliance audits the same?
A cloud security audit is performed to identify and correct all vulnerabilities and determine the security controls. It prepares you for a compliance audit, but they are not the same.
4. How often should a cloud security audit be conducted?
The cloud security audit should take place at least once a year or whenever substantial changes occur in your cloud environment.
5. What do you do if an audit identifies vulnerabilities?
Upon finding vulnerabilities, submissions will be made for their remedy. These may include the updating of security policies, the enhancement of access controls, or the implementation of better encryption.
6. Can small businesses benefit from cloud security audits?
Yes, small businesses can gain advantage by such audits, such as identifying security gaps and creating improved data protection while complying with an array of industry regulations; thus reducing cyber threat risks.
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