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What is Cloud Security VAPT?

Chinmay Choudhary / July 10, 2024

Cloud computing has become a critical part of businesses nowadays for the agility, scalability, and cost-effective services they provide. However, with the increase in usage of cloud applications, the security challenges have also increased. To tackle these challenges, organizations are implementing offensive methods such as cloud security VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing). As per a recent survey, over 80% of companies globally have experienced at least one cloud incident in the past year, with 27% of organizations experiencing a public cloud security incident. Another study shows that servers are the main target of 90% of data breaches where cloud-application servers are most affected. With sensitive data and vital applications being stored in the cloud, robust security is inevitable for their protection. In this blog, we will discuss cloud VAPT, how it helps safeguard cloud assets, and why more organizations should invest in it. What is Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is a structured way to evaluate the security of an organization’s IT infrastructure, including cloud-based systems and applications. Let’s look at each of these components in detail. Vulnerability Assessment Vulnerability assessment involves identifying and assessing vulnerabilities within a system or network to detect potential weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. These vulnerabilities might include outdated software, misconfigurations, weak access controls, or unresolved vulnerabilities. This process uses a range of automated tools and manual inspections to identify these weaknesses. Penetration Testing Also known as pentesting or ethical hacking, penetration testing involves simulating real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the effectiveness of security measures. Penetration testers use various techniques to exploit weaknesses, gain unauthorized access, and offer insights into the system’s ability to prevent cyberattacks. What is the Purpose of Cloud VAPT? The prime purpose of cloud security VAPT is to find security gaps in the loud service before hackers do. Different types of automation and manual techniques are used depending on the type of cloud service and provider to find vulnerabilities. However, since a customer does not own the cloud platform/infrastructure as a product but as a service, there are several challenges to cloud VAPT, which we will read about later in this blog. Benefits of Continuous Cloud Security VAPT Cloud security VAPT services are not only beneficial for cloud providers but also for organizations that store their applications and sensitive data in the cloud. Security testing in the cloud also helps in maintaining the shared responsibility model created by most cloud providers between themselves and the customers. 1. Tackle Evolving Threats The landscape of cyber threats is constantly evolving, with new attack methods and advanced techniques emerging regularly. Depending on a one-time security assessment is no longer enough to protect cloud environments. Continuous cloud security testing ensures continuous monitoring of security vulnerabilities and provides proactive measures to address risks in this rapidly changing threat landscape. 2. Timely Threat Detection and Response Cloud environments are dynamic, where frequent changes occur in software updates, configurations, and deployment of new applications. These changes can create new vulnerabilities and unintentionally weaken existing security measures. Regular cloud security VAPT helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in real-time, allowing for quick remediation before they are exploited by attackers. 3. Meet Compliance Requirements Many industries and regulatory standards make it mandatory for regular security assessments and penetration testing to ensure compliance. Continuous cloud security vulnerability and penetration testing help organizations fulfill these requirements and provide proof of their dedication to maintaining a robust security posture. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to significant financial penalties and reputation damage. 4. Prevent Third-Party Risks Organizations operating in cloud environments frequently use various third-party elements such as APIs, frameworks, and libraries. These external dependencies can create vulnerabilities that are not under the direct control of the organization. Continuous cloud security VAPT helps identify vulnerabilities emerging from these third-party integrations and allows organizations to collaborate with vendors to address them. Qualysec Technologies provides high-quality and customized cloud VAPT solutions for those who want their assets in a cloud safe. Contact us today and we will guide you through the entire process of strengthening your security. Talk to our Cybersecurity Expert to discuss your specific needs and how we can help your business. Schedule a Call Cloud VAPT Methodology There are different types of cloud VAPT methodologies to ensure its authenticity. These methodologies cover all critical aspects within the cloud platform and applications. 1. OSSTMM OSSTMM stands for Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manua, a renowned and recognized standard of penetration testing. It is based on a scientific approach to VAPT that offers flexible guidelines for testers, making it a widely adopted framework. Testers can use OSSTMM to perform accurate assessments. 2. OWASP Open Web Application Security Project or OWASP is a widely known penetration testing standard that is continuously developed and updated by a community by keeping in trend with the latest cyber threats. Apart from identifying application vulnerabilities, OWASP also addresses logic errors in processes. 3. PTES Penetration Testing Execution Standards (PTES) is a pen testing methodology crafted by a team of IT professionals. PTES aims to create a comprehensive and updated standard of penetration testing across various digital assets, including cloud environments. Additionally, it wants to create awareness among businesses and what to expect from a penetration test. Top Common Cloud Vulnerabilities With the increase in usage of cloud platforms, the risks are also increasing. Here are some common cloud vulnerabilities or security risks that need regular cloud security VAPT to mitigate. 1. Insecure APIs Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are used in cloud services to exchange information across different applications. However, insecure APIs can lead to extensive data breaches. Sometimes, misusing HTTP methods like PUT, POST, and DELETE in APIs can allow hackers to upload malware onto servers and delete crucial data. Insufficient access control and inadequate input sanitization are also prime causes of API being compromised, which can be detected through cloud security testing. 2. Server Misconfigurations One of the most common cloud vulnerabilities is cloud service misconfigurations, particularly the misconfigured S3 Buckets. Other common cloud misconfigurations include improper permissions, failure to encrypt data, and unclear differentiation between private and public data. 3. Weak Passwords/Credentials Using weak or common passwords can put your cloud accounts at risk of brute-force attacks. Attackers

10 Ways Cloud Penetration Testing Protects Cloud Services

10 Ways Cloud Penetration Testing Can Protect Cloud Services

Chinmay Choudhary / April 22, 2024

Cloud penetration testing is a specific type of penetration testing that evaluates the security measures of cloud-based systems and services. With over 92% of organizations globally using some form of cloud infrastructure, they have become a major cybercriminals target. In fact, as per IBM, victims of cloud asset data breaches spend around $5 million on average to recover. Despite cloud platforms having some sort of security features like scalable compute power, easily deployable backups, and technical support documentation, there are unique security risks associated with them that need to be addressed. In this blog, we will get an in-depth knowledge of cloud penetration testing. Additionally, we’ll discuss common risks associated with cloud infrastructure, and how penetration tests can help secure cloud services and assets. What Happens in Cloud Penetration Testing In cloud penetration testing, pen testers or ethical hackers simulate cyber attacks against the organization’s cloud-native services, applications, and APIs to find any vulnerabilities present that cybercriminals could exploit. They also test corporate cloud components such as serverless computing platforms, federated login systems, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for security gaps. A cloud penetration test provides a detailed report to the organizations that mention vulnerabilities found in their cloud infrastructure and their severity. Along with it, the report also mentions steps to remediate those vulnerabilities. By conducting regular penetration testing for cloud infrastructure, organizations can address potential cloud security risks and mitigate them before they are used for cyber attacks. The Shared Responsibility Model of Cloud Services Cloud services have 3 main models: Software as a Service (SaaS): It is a software delivery model where the vendor hosts an application in the cloud that can be used by its subscribers. Platform as a Service (PaaS): It is a platform delivery model that can be purchased and used for developing, running, and managing applications. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): An infrastructure delivery model where the vendor offers various computer resources over the internet such as virtualized servers, storage, and network equipment. Service Model Vendor Responsibility User Responsibility SaaS Application security Endpoints, user and network security, misconfigurations, workloads, and data PaaS Platform security, including all hardware and software Security of applications developed on the platform Endpoints, user and network security, and workloads IaaS Security of all infrastructure components Security of any application installed on the infrastructure (e.g. OS, applications, middleware) Endpoints, user and network security, workloads, and data What is the Purpose of Cloud Penetration Testing Cloud penetration testing is a security exercise, designed to check the strengths and weaknesses of cloud systems and improve their overall security posture. The main purpose of cloud pentesting is to: Identify vulnerabilities, risks, and security gaps Impact of those vulnerabilities Determine how to use the access gained by exploiting those vulnerabilities Deliver clear and actionable remediation methods Provide best practices to maintain visibility How Cloud Penetration Testing Secures Cloud Services More and more companies are including a wide range of applications, data, and services in their cloud. For example, public web applications, file-sharing and business productivity applications, mobile app data, system backups, network monitoring data and log files, and both employee and customer data. As a result, the cloud environment has become a primary target for attackers. Cloud penetration testing reports provide an accurate representation of the environment’s security posture, where the vulnerabilities lie, and what is its impact. Additionally, it showcases how resilient your cloud infrastructure is, against cyber attacks, unauthorized access, and data breaches. Here is How Cloud Penetration Testing Helps Secure Cloud Systems and Services: 1. Identify Vulnerabilities before Hackers Before real hackers break into your cloud system, you employ ethical hackers or cybersecurity professionals to check for potential entry points. Cloud penetration testing shows weaknesses present in your cloud infrastructure and allows you to address those security flaws before cyber attacks can exploit them. 2. Assess Cloud-Specific Risks Cloud environments have unique security risks due to their shared responsibility models, different service models (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), and complex configurations. Penetration testing services can be tailored to mitigate risks specific to cloud environments. 3. Prevent Data Breaches Cloud-based applications and services store and manage a large amount of sensitive data. This is the reason why cybercriminals are drawn toward cloud environments. Penetration testing helps find weak points through which these criminals can enter your system. thus, saving the organization from severe data breaches, 4. Comply with Regulatory Standards Many industries and jurisdictions have strict compliance rules to protect user information. For example DPR, PCI DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA, etc. Cloud penetration testing helps organizations meet these regulatory requirements and showcase their commitment to protecting user data and maintaining security controls. 5. Maintain Customer Trust and Reputation Your customers or clients using your cloud services trust their confidential data is safe with you. If a data breach occurs, not only will it result in huge time and monetary loss, but also you will lose the trust of your customer. Additionally, your reputation in the industry will go down, resulting in less business revenue. Conducting cloud pentesting can help your organization avoid all of this and even gain you more customers, given that you prioritize data safety. 6. Validate Cloud Provider Security Cloud service providers implement various security controls, but organizations need to verify these measures independently. Penetration testing is a great way to test the effectiveness of the security controls implemented by the cloud service providers. 7. Minimize Downtime and Losses By addressing vulnerabilities before cybercriminals exploit them, organizations can reduce the likelihood of system downtime, data breaches, and potential financial losses. 8. Improve Security Awareness When organizations conduct penetration testing, it shows that they prioritize cybersecurity a lot. As a result, it raises awareness among employees and stakeholders of the importance of security best practices. Additionally, it can lead to a better security-conscious culture within the organization. 9. Prioritize Risks and Allocate Resources Effectively Cloud penetration testing reports provide a clear understanding of the severity of the security risks found during the process. This allows

Cloud Security Testing

What Is Cloud Application Security Testing?

Chinmay Choudhary / March 18, 2024

Cloud applications now offer businesses a whole new level of scalability and agility. However, despite its ability to run businesses, there are several security risks to worry about. The best way to stay protected against cloud security threats is to incorporate cloud application security testing into your cloud security strategy. According to Statista, the cloud storage market was valued at 108.69 billion USD in 2023 and is expected to grow to 472.47 billion USD by 20230. This is why 82% of organizations say that cloud security is one of the most important factors in securing their business. This blog provides an in-depth guide on cloud application security testing, ensuring businesses get the necessary information about creating a secure cloud environment. Let’s explore its importance, techniques, and potential risks associated with cloud applications. The Definition of Cloud Application Security Testing Cloud application security testing is a method in which applications operating within cloud environments are tested for security risks and loopholes that hackers could exploit. It is mainly done to ensure that the cloud application and the infrastructure are secure enough to protect an organization’s confidential information. This type of testing assesses a cloud infrastructure provider’s security policies, controls, and procedures to find potential vulnerabilities that could lead to security risks like data breaches. Typically, cloud application security testing is performed by third-party auditors by collaborating with a cloud infrastructure provider, although the provider may also conduct it internally. Cloud application security testing uses a wide range of manual and automated testing methods. The data generated through this testing can be used for audits or reviews. Additionally, it offers an in-depth analysis of the risks associated with cloud applications. Why is Cloud Security Testing Important? Cloud security testing is important to ensure the safety of your cloud applications and infrastructure. As the market for cloud-based applications grows, the need for application security solutions also increases. Cloud security testing helps organizations identify potential security vulnerabilities through which massive data theft or service disruption can occur. This can also be a big part of the cloud compliance checklist, as most compliances require timely detection and remediation of vulnerabilities. Cloud security testing benefits both organizations and cloud security auditors. Organizations use cloud penetration testing to find vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to compromise cloud applications and infrastructure. In contrast, cloud security auditors use testing reports to verify the security posture of cloud infrastructure. Understanding Cloud Application Security in Brief Let’s understand more about cloud applications, the potential risks associated with them, and their security briefly. Significance of Cloud Applications in Modern Businesses Cloud applications play an important role in modern businesses because of their numerous advantages. They allow businesses to easily adjust their resources per demand and reduce infrastructure costs. Additionally, cloud applications encourage remote access and increase flexibility by helping employees work from anywhere. The centralized data storage and accessibility of cloud applications enhance collaboration among teams. Cloud applications are also at the forefront of innovations, as they access advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for automation. They also ensure data protection and compliance with regulatory requirements by offering necessary security measures. Furthermore, cloud applications enhance workflow efficiency by enabling seamless integration with other systems. Overall, integrating cloud applications in modern businesses drives growth and enables adaptability in this digital landscape. This is why cloud security must be strengthened through necessary security measures like cloud application security testing. Potential Security Risks Associated with Cloud Applications Cloud applications offer a range of advantages like flexibility, storage capacity, mobility, improved collaboration, better accessibility, and more. But like any other online applications, they are also prone to various security risks, such as: 1. Data Loss Data loss or leakage is the most common security risk associated with cloud applications. In the cloud environment, loss occurs when sensitive data is accessed by somebody else, requiring more backup or recovery measures. Data loss also occurs if the data owner cannot access its elements or if the software is not updated on time. 2. Hacked Interfaces and Insecure APIs As we all know, cloud applications completely depend on the Internet, so protecting external users’ interfaces and APIs is important. APIs are the easiest way to communicate with most cloud services. Also, few services in the cloud can be found in the public domain. Third parties can access these services, making them more vulnerable to hackers. 3. Vendor Lock-In Vendor lock-in is one of the biggest security risks in the cloud, requiring cloud application security testing. This risk causes organizations to face problems transferring their services from one vendor to another. Moving services within multiple clouds can be challenging as different vendors offer different platforms. 4. Spectre and Meltdown The risk of specter and meltdown allows programs to view and steal data currently possessed on the system. It can run on personal systems, mobile devices, and the cloud. Your passwords and personal information, such as emails, images, and business documents, will be under threat. 5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks DoS attacks occur when the system receives huge traffic to buffer the server. They mostly target web servers of large organizations, such as media companies, banking sectors, and government organizations. Recovering from a DoS attack requires a great deal of time and money. 6. Account Hijacking Another major security risk in cloud applications is account hijacking. In this, hackers breach an individual user’s or organization’s cloud account (for example, a bank account, email, or social media account). They use these accounts for unauthorized access and perform fraudulent activities. 7. Insider Threats Another main threat to cloud applications is insiders. These can be current or former employees of the organization, workers who are negligent in their actions, or attackers who have gained the trust of innocent employees. The risk of insider threats has increased recently, mostly due to the rise of remote workers, policies like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), or former employees whose jobs were affected by the pandemic. Best Practices of Cloud Application Security Testing Organizations need robust security measures during the

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What is Cloud Security VAPT?

10 Ways Cloud Penetration Testing Can Protect Cloud Services

What Is Cloud Application Security Testing?

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