Cloud jacking is the outcome of the reliability of Australian businesses on cloud networks. It needs immediate attention because of its constantly evolving form that can hamper the safety of information systems.
With constantly evolving technologies, hackers are also upgrading their hacking games, and learning to hack them. Cloud networks are topping the list of hackers these days due to the adoption of cloud networks by major businesses for their company databases. One security loophole can compromise the entire cloud network of a Company. It will also cause a huge financial loss, as cloud storage is provided by hosting servers like Microsoft that charge for their services.
Cloud Jacking
Cloud jacking is the hacking of cloud networks by hackers to access a company’s data and sensitive information. The cybercriminals might hack your Microsoft Office 365-degree account to get access to your organisation’s data on the cloud. They can then tamper, steal, or lock it, to prevent users from accessing it.
To understand cloud jacking, we need to know its root cause, the reliance on Cloud storage for saving data, which has become a trend now in all organisations due to the benefits associated with it.
Cyber Security threats for Cloud Networks
To protect cloud networks, it is important to know the cyber security threats that can cause damage. They are as:
1. Cryptojacking
It is the hacking of cloud databases of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. To do this, you need computing power, and cybercriminals have found methods of accessing cloud computing systems and then using their computing power to mine for cryptocurrency. Cryptojacking is tricky to spot and deal with. Hackers can take charge of your accounts and work on mining cryptocurrencies without affecting the functioning of the employees. It will only slow down the internet connection and won’t hint at anything malicious happening. Hence, IT teams won’t spot any activity until it’s quite late.
2. Breach of data
Cybercriminals will gain access to your cloud accounts to hack data. Data breaches on cloud networks can cause a lot of damage.
3. Denial of Service attack
It is the form of attack where hackers will flood your company’s cloud servers with extreme web traffic. The servers won’t be able to buffer such a huge and suddenly sent information. This will lead to a total shutdown of your cloud network for employees, clients, and customers.
4. External applications
Insecure external applications can pose a threat to the cloud network of your organisation. Unsafe third-party applications can provide a gateway for cybercriminals to enter the Company’s systems.
5. Internal threats
Surveys hint that a lot of cyber-attacks had inter threats more than external threats. The ex-employees are the best example of internal threats, as they might have password access to the networks. There might be third-party contractors who can leak data as they have password access to the Company’s systems.
6. Lack of trained staff
Human error is one of the major contributors to cyber attacks. A company’s staff is the soft target of cybercriminals. Many businesses do not invest in training employees and end up compromising the cyber security of their organisation.
7. Hijacking accounts
By hijacking employee accounts, hackers can gain access to the data and systems of a business. They will use phishing attacks to gain access, and their tailored e-mails will mislead employees to click on the link provided. On gaining access to a staff account, they can write codes to encrypt sensitive company data, hack admin access and lock everyone out of their systems.
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is the storing of data and programs on remote servers that are present on the internet, not in the computer hardware. It is used for public, hybrid, or personal use.
With Cloud computing, businesses can focus on their core competencies, but they will have to rely on third parties for the various cloud services. The proliferation of the cloud is increasing the number and types of stakeholders in the environment of a company’s information technology. Though there are a lot of benefits, it also creates new challenges for businesses to manage the security of their data in a more complex environment.
A Cloud computing architecture consists of:
- Front end – Caters to clients.
- Back-end platforms – Includes Storage and servers.
- Cloud-based delivery networks – Includes internet, intranet, and inter-cloud.
Tips to Protect Your Business Against Cloud Jacking
Companies must adopt a precautionary method to prevent cyber attacks. Below are tips to protect your business against cloud jacking:
1. Implement Cloud Security
Cloud security aims to secure your company’s cloud networks from unwanted access and data breaches. Hence, organisations must implement a robust cloud security network by taking assistance from an IT Security Consultant expert in cloud security.
2. Limit access to sensitive data
In a company, not all data has to be shared with all employees. Hence, the IT team must restrict data access based on the departments and hierarchy. Access to the sensitive top-level data must be given only to higher authorities who need to access the data.
3. Training employees
Providing IT training programs to employees is essential to guide them on technology usage. The office staff is the soft target of cybercriminals as it is easy to fool them into getting credentials of accessing data. Though cloud networks have the advantage of having a single admin who will provide access to all employees, there are applications like e-mails that are a hacker’s tool to send phishing emails. Employees must be alerted to not e-mails from unknown sources.
4. Risk Management
A business requires a risk management application to regularly spot and report risks, and document them so that they can be overcome. Also, all departments will be able to report and manage risks in one place.
5. Multi-factor Authentication
Safeguarding applications and accounts with multi-factor authentication are recommended to overcome any possible security breaches.
6. Keeping up latest technology
Keeping yourself updated with the emerging new technologies, cyber threats, security attacks, etc, is essential for all. You must read news on cyber security, and new technologies. You can follow some good tech websites to gain knowledge. You must be a regular visitor to the official cyber security website of the Australian government, for the latest information on cyber threats, security guidelines, policies, and legislation updates.
7. Assistance from Information Security Consultants
Businesses must take professional assistance from information security consultants. They will audit your cloud networks for any possible cyber threats, perform penetration testing, and provide solutions to secure your network.
As the fight against cybercrime continues, being informed and alert is a basic security practice to be followed to prevent cyber-attacks.
For an expert consultation on information, security consulting services, call us on 1300 802 163 or e-mail us at – info@anitechgroup.com or enquire here
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