Misconfigurations (when cloud computing assets are set up incorrectly, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized access, data breaches, and operational disruptions) and inadequate change control top the list of cloud security threats in 2024, rising from third place the year before. It’s clear that the transition to cloud computing has amplified the challenges of configuration management, making it critical for entities to adopt cloud-specific configurations.

This was one of the findings of the Cloud Security Alliance’s (CSA’s) 2024 “Top Threats to Cloud Computing” report, which sheds light on the evolving landscape of cloud security and looks at the critical areas where organizations must focus their efforts.

The CSA’s Top Threats Working Group carried out the research in two stages. Initially, they conducted an in-person survey among the group’s members to identify potential cloud security issues, building on their previous report from 2022. After discussions and evaluations, they shortlisted 28 issues for further analysis. In the second stage, over 500 security professionals participated in an online survey to rank these issues by importance, using a 10-point sliding scale. This process revealed the top four threats for 2024, highlighting a shift in focus from traditional cloud security concerns to more nuanced and complex challenges.

This year’s report also highlighted the top four threats as Identity and Access Management (IAM), Insecure Interfaces & APIs, and Lack of Cloud Security Architecture and Strategy.

Identity & Access Management

IAM dropped to the second spot in 2024, yet remains a critical concern. IAM ensures that only authorized people can access cloud resources after proving their identity. However, challenges such as excessive permissions, impersonation, and poor cryptographic management persist, making IAM a complex and evolving issue in cloud security.

There’s been a shift towards Zero Trust architecture and software-defined perimeters (SDP), which reflects the growing importance of IAM in cloud environments. Misconfigured IAM settings can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and regulatory non-compliance.

Insecure Interfaces & APIs

Insecure interfaces and APIs moved from second to third place in this year’s report. As entities adopt more and more microservices, securing these becomes critical. APIs are the backbone of cloud services, enabling machine-to-machine and human-to-machine interactions. Yet, inadequate authentication mechanisms, encryption, and improper session management can make them sitting ducks to attacks.

In 2023, 29% of web attacks targeted APIs, underscoring their attractiveness to malefactors. The consequences of insecure interfaces are dire, ranging from unauthorized access to sensitive data theft and service disruptions. Strong authentication, encryption, input validation, and continuous monitoring are essential to secure APIs and interfaces.

Inadequate selection/implementation of cloud security strategy

In fourth place for the second year in a row was inadequate selection/implementation of cloud security strategy. As businesses migrate to the cloud, they often fail to develop a comprehensive security strategy that addresses the unique challenges of cloud environments. This oversight can lead to inconsistent security policies, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit.

A well-defined cloud security strategy should include risk assessments, security controls, and continuous monitoring to protect cloud resources. Organizations must also ensure that their security architecture aligns with their overall business goals and regulatory requirements. Failing to do so can result in data breaches, operational disruptions, and financial losses.

The other threats making the list were:

• Insecure third-party resources
• Insecure software development
• Accidental cloud disclosure
• System vulnerabilities
• Limited cloud visibility/observability
• Unauthenticated resource sharing
• Advanced Persistent Threats

Proactive Mitigation Strategies

The report also offered some key mitigation strategies to address these threats:

Integrating AI Throughout the SDLC: Leveraging AI early in the development process – such as for code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning – help security teams identify security issues and address them before the code is deployed.

Utilizing AI-Powered Offensive Security Tools: These advanced tools mimic attacker behavior to root out vulnerabilities in cloud configurations, IAM protocols, and APIs. This proactive approach helps entities stay a step ahead of potential threats and bolster their defenses.

Cloud-Native Security Tools: As more apps and workloads move to the cloud, organizations need security tools specifically designed to protect these environments. These tools offer enhanced visibility and control compared to solutions designed for on-premise, promising a more effective way to manage cloud security.

Zero Trust Security Model: The Zero Trust model enforces continuous verification and the principle of least privilege access. It has become the standard for cloud security, using rigorous verification processes and minimizing access to only what is necessary.

Automation and Orchestration: To handle the complexity of cloud security at scale, automating security processes and workflows is key. Automation streamlines mundane, onerous tasks and improves efficiency, allowing firms to manage their security more effectively.

Addressing the Security Skills Gap: The cybersecurity skills gap is a thorn in the security industry’s side. Businesses in the public and private sectors must invest in training and development initiatives to build skills and expertise and implement continuous education and awareness programs to keep their teams well-prepared.

Key Trends to Watch Out for

The report also highlighted a few key trends it believes will shape the future of cloud security and stressed that entities must stay abreast of these trends and adapt their defenses accordingly to maintain robust cloud security. These include:

• Attack Sophistication: Malicious actors will continue honing their existing tools and developing more sophisticated tools, including AI, to slip through the nets in cloud defenses. These new techniques will fuel a proactive security posture that adds continuous monitoring and threat hunting to the mix.
• Supply Chain: All businesses today rely on networks of third-party partners, and the soaring complexity of cloud ecosystems will widen the attack surface. To address supply chain vulnerabilities, businesses must extend security solutions to their partners.
• Tightening Regulations: Regulations are evolving, and the bodies in charge will introduce more stringent data privacy and security regulations, and businesses will need to adapt their cloud security accordingly.
• Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): RaaS is lowering the barrier to entry for unskilled cyber crooks to carry out ransomware attacks against cloud environments. Companies must implement strong data backup and recovery solutions and robust access controls.

As cloud computing evolves, so do the threats organizations must navigate. Organizations can protect their assets, maintain compliance, and ensure business continuity in an increasingly complex cloud environment by adopting the recommended mitigation strategies and continuously refining their cloud security practices.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this and other guest author articles are solely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire.