Cloud Threat Detection

Cloud computing has caused businesses to change how they handle data, adjust their systems and deliver services. With critical jobs increasingly being handled in the cloud, attention to cloud server security is even greater these days.   The latest 2024 Cloud Security Report by Cybersecurity Insiders revealed that 61% of organizations suffered a cloud security incident during the previous year which demonstrates the rising concern about cloud security.    According to the 2024 Cloud Security Report from ISC2, 96% of IT and cybersecurity specialists are extremely concerned about security in public cloud environments.   They show why it is so important to strongly protect cloud servers. Because more organizations are moving to the cloud, knowing about the main risks and problems is very important for keeping data secure and operations stable. Here, we discuss cloud server security, why cyber attackers are heading toward cloud infrastructure, the top issues you should be aware of, and proven steps you can implement to enhance your organization’s security.   Read our recent blog on cloud security service What Is Cloud Server Security? Cloud server security uses different tools, policies and methods to guard virtual servers placed in the cloud. Servers tend to support important business operations, store vital records and link to multiple internal and outside parties.   Cloud servers are different from on-premises servers, as all they are hosted on CSP’s shared infrastructure, for example, AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. As a result, both the provider and the customer have roles to play in security: the provider handles the core security and the customer looks after anything extra they deploy. It consists of operating systems, applications, particular configurations, access controls and data. Core Objectives of Cloud Server Security: Common Cloud Server Security Practices Cover a Range of Assets: Cloud servers need protection from more than only outside threats. It also covers the risk of insecure configurations, too high privileges and missing updates inside the organization. Failure to deal with any of these factors can allow attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. Why Cloud Servers Are Targeted Attackers find cloud servers particularly attractive because they may contain important customer data, confidential business approaches and distributed access credentials. Since these systems are online, scale well and are connected to each other, they are both useful and vulnerable. 1. High-Value Data Concentration Large and sensitive data are what’s often stored on cloud servers: It only takes one poorly configured cloud environment to allow attackers access to much of this data. 2. Broad Attack Surface There are many different entry points possible with cloud systems: Every component of hardware and software needs to be set up, kept an eye on and secured. Often, overlooked settings can work as open invitations for the audience. 3. Automation and Scale Threat actors commonly use automation to look for vulnerable elements in cloud setups, such as open S3 buckets, unbarrier SSH ports, and a badly configured Kubernetes dashboard. Scaling in the cloud can be easy, but failing to monitor and manage it can also quickly make a business vulnerable. 4. Shared Responsibility Confusion A lot of organizations do not fully grasp how their responsibilities differ from those of their cloud service providers. Users have the task of managing their own applications, even while CSPs secure the infrastructure. If this division isn’t understood, access control and data encryption can be lost. 5. Weak or Default Configurations In cloud environments, having rules set wrong and start-up credentials in place are among the top security threats. Examples include: Unrecognized weaknesses are commonly exploited by applying techniques known to the public and free scanning tools. Common Threats to Cloud Server Security Cloud environments are complex, fast-changing, and highly connected. This makes them vulnerable to a broad range of attack vectors. Below are the most common and high-impact threats affecting cloud server security today: 1. Misconfigurations Misconfigured cloud storage, security groups, or IAM policies are among the top causes of cloud data breaches. These errors can lead to: Example: Leaving an S3 bucket accessible without authentication or binding a virtual machine to all IP addresses via port 22. 2. Insecure APIs Cloud services rely on APIs for provisioning, automation, and communication between components. If not secured properly, APIs can expose endpoints to attackers. Common issues include: These vulnerabilities allow attackers to gain unauthorized access or extract data. 3. Insider Threats Internal actors with privileged access can intentionally or unintentionally compromise systems. Risks often arise from: Cloud logs may not capture enough detail unless configured properly, making insider activity harder to trace. 4. Credential Theft and Account Hijacking Weak passwords, exposed keys, and hardcoded credentials can lead to full cloud account compromise. Attack methods include: Once inside, attackers often escalate privileges and move laterally across services. 5. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks Even scalable cloud infrastructure can be overwhelmed by high-volume or application-level DoS attacks. Impacts include: Cloud-native protections like AWS Shield or GCP Armor are useful, but only if endpoints are configured to use them. 6. Data Breaches Data breaches in cloud environments can result from unauthorized access, weak encryption, or insecure data transfer practices. Cloud servers are often the initial entry point for wider data exfiltration or exposure incidents. Latest Penetration Testing Report Download Key Challenges in Securing Cloud Infrastructure Although security tools are available in cloud platforms, real-life cloud security continues to cause various issues for organizations. A lot of these issues are caused by limited visibility, the complexity of architectural systems and clients and providers both being accountable. 1. Understanding the Shared Responsibility Model The infrastructure is secured by the provider, but customers have to look after the security of all they deploy inside it. Virtual machines, containers, restrictions on access and encryption are all part of this. Common pitfall: Many people fall for the trap of assuming cloud security vendors secure their applications and workloads automatically. 2. Complexity in Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Environments Many companies now have their data and applications available in various cloud environments and on-site servers. It adds meaningful difficulty to