Cloud Computing Risks

There are many companies transferring their workloads to cloud environments. This effort directly responds to a need to improve efficiency and optimize work processes. However, in the process, many are ignoring the main Cloud Computing risks.

While this technology offers a wide range of competitive advantages for companies, it also presents a series of inconvenients that must be understood. In fact, an important one among Cloud Computing risks is the lack of understanding of their vulnerabilities for companies who transfer their work to this kind of environment.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the main Cloud Computing risks, while also going through the main measures that can be undertaken to mitigate them. Want to learn more? Keep reading!

What are the key Cloud Computing risks?

In many ways, Cloud Computing risks are not different to the security risks involved in traditional data centers. In both cases, cybercriminals take advantage of vulnerabilities in these systems. Specialists must therefore be attentive and be able to solve and anticipate this type of security risks.

However, when it comes to Cloud Computing, the responsibility of approaching and mitigating threats lies at the hands of both cloud service providers and their clients; while, in the case of traditional data centers, the responsibility is directly linked to the company that manages them.

There are various Cloud Computing risks to be taken into account when all or part of a workload is transferred to a Cloud Computing system. Some of these include:

Limited visibility

When workloads, data or actives are moved to a cloud environment, companies lose a certain level of visibility of their network operations. This is mainly because the responsibility of the administration is now transferred to the supplier.

Depending on the type of Cloud Computing model that is hired, the reach of this responsibility can vary. In some cases, companies are able to monitor every operation, but in other cases, preventing Cloud Computing risks relies entirely on service providers.

Malware

Companies that hire Cloud Computing services are in charge of great volumes of confidential data. This, by itself, represents a risk, as sensible information is exposed to traditional cybernetic threats.

Malware represents a key example of these, as it’s still one of the most common security threats both for traditional data centers as well as Cloud Computing technologies.

Research shows that almost 90% of companies are likely to experiment data leaks as the use of Cloud Computing systems is generalized.

Data losses

Data losses are one of the main worries for companies using Cloud Computing, and one of the most prominent Cloud Computing risks.

As we were saying, accepting and working with Cloud computing models means giving up part of the security responsibility to service suppliers.

This might mean that some critical data for companies hiring these services might fall into the wrong hands. In this case, if the supplier experiments an attack, data losses can take place in the process.

Privacy

Privacy is among the key Cloud Computing risks. A lot of information is stored using cloud services and, depending on the type of contract a company chooses, these can be more or less visible to third parties.

As such, one of the keys to guaranteeing privacy in data access to delicate items is supervising who can have access and what exactly they can do after that.

By default, cloud systems typically allow access to users in a big scale, so that it’s convenient to implement security measures to limit access and manipulation rights depending on what data or information is stored in the cloud.

A wrong risk evaluation

As we were saying at the beginning of this article, it’s very likely that the biggest one among Cloud Computing risks is an inadequate evaluation of the actual  security threats by companies using these services.

Because of this, it’s important to carry out an exhaustive evaluation that guarantees companies have a complete understanding of the scope and reach of the needed work to move to cloud environments while avoiding security issues.

How to avoid Cloud Computing risks and improve security

If a company hires a Cloud Computing service and wants to make the most of its advantages, there are several efforts that must be undertaken to avoid Cloud Computing risks. Some of the recommended measures include:

• Risk evaluations. As we’ve said at the beginning of this article, evaluating the potential risks of transferring workloads and information to a cloud environment is the first step to avoid security issues.
• Access controls for users. Controlling who has access to what files and what they can do in these cloud computing services is fundamental to avoid unnecessary risks.
• Automation and creation of security protocols. Automating key security initiatives such as registering threats and risk evaluations by service providers facilitates risk control in Cloud computing.
• Monitoring security in the cloud. Keepin track and constant monitoring of all possible threats helps prevent risks associated with security in Cloud computing.

Depending on the project, the company and the type of Cloud Computing service that has been hired, specialists can take additional decisions to improve security and avoid Cloud Computing risks. However, the most fundamental aspect here is to coordinate prevention on both sides, including providers and hiring companies.

Become a master in Cloud Computing!

Now you know the main Cloud Computing risks and some of the measures that help ensure they are minimized as much as possible. However, mastering everything that has to do with cloud technologies and infrastructures means professional specialization is needed.

Would you like to become a specialist in Cloud Computing? Don’t think about it twice! At Tokyo School, we’re experts in creating new professionals for new technologies. Trust us! Our Cloud Computing specialization course will help you master the main cloud services.

You’ll learn to make related decisions and be able to advice according to each project’s needs, among other useful things. Fill in our form to learn more. We can’t wait to hear from you!