5 Security Concerns to Look Out for in Microsoft Azure
Being one of the top cloud players in the industry, Microsoft Azure has security concerns, just like every other cloud platform. As of today, not less than 70% of the world’s businesses operated fully or partially on the cloud.
While these businesses are being attracted by lower costs, flexibility, increased collaboration, and the freedom cloud offers, these benefits also come with a fair share of security risks. This is why not less than 90% of businesses that utilize the cloud are now more concerned than ever on public cloud security.
Based on the foregoing, it is necessary to identify the likely security risks you are bound to encounter as a cloud user;
1. Hijacking of Accounts
With the growth in the utilization and adoption of cloud services, this has opened up doors for hijackers to take over accounts. Today, hijackers take control of the login details of the employees and use it in accessing, manipulating, and stealing information.
The hijackers may not only target the credentials of users but employ other means such as script bugging, or reusing passwords to gain unauthorized access. These methods allow the hijackers to operate unnoticed.
One popular hijacking strategy is the Man in Cloud Attack; this involves the theft of user tokens, which is used by cloud platforms to verifying platforms without requiring logins.
2. Insider Threat as Microsoft Azure Security Concerns
As unlikely as it sounds, it does happen and could be fatal. Insider threats can exist in your cloud for an extended period without being detected. It’s not uncommon for employees to use their authorized cloud access to steal customers’ information, financial details, and other sensitive information.
Most times, the insider might not even have a malicious intention when accessing this sensitive information. Insider threats can either be accidental or as a result of malware access. Regardless of whichever form it assumes, you’ll need to put in place a security strategy that controls access and make use of these best form of cloud security.
Put a check on every employee that has access to cloud resources. These checks should be planned, unplanned, and randomized.
3. Azure Blob Storage as an Easy Target
One of the abused aspects of Microsoft Azure is its blob storage, which has always been an easy target of hackers. Due to the familiarity of hackers with the Microsoft ecosystem, it shines a light on it as a target by hackers.
They often utilize Sharepoint as an entry point by exploiting the office 365 accounts to launch a malware-based attack. There used to be a PDF phishing strategy that is also linked to the straightforward nature of Azure Blob storage.
As a user, you are to prioritize security on the blob storage as it isn’t one that should be whitelisted. In using the blob storage, you are advised not to trust Azure blindly. You are leaving your doors open for hackers to manipulate through the Blob storage.
4. Subject to Identity-Based Attacks
Businesses often make the mistake of using Microsoft’s identity tools for their entire company. In comparison, Microsoft intends that the identity tool is only used within the Azure environment.
This loophole leaves businesses susceptible to identity attacks as hackers to use the organization’s tenants’ ID and password across other websites. This is why identity-based attacks are more common to Azure than other cloud services.
As a business, design an architecture that relies on not just the Microsoft identity tools but also gets separate authentication tools with a CASB capability. When identity is compromised, it’s quite easy for the CASB to identify this malaise.
5. Insecure APIs
Another security concern of Microsoft Azure is the vulnerabilities of API, which is the backbone of the Azure ecosystem. In contrast, API gives users the creative liberty to design their cloud experience, and it’s not without a limitation.
The fact that APIs are enabled to give access, authenticate, and effect encryption is a weakness that can be easily exploited. The communication that occurs within the APIs is the weak link that can be used to gain access to the entire structure.
Indeed, APIs come with many benefits for businesses, but at the expense of leaving them with vulnerabilities.
Final Words on Microsoft Azure Security Concerns
Microsoft Azure has opened businesses to the full advantage of the cloud. There’s also the issue of Microsoft Azure security concerns that continue to be a source of worry.
However, noting these security challenges, your team can build a security strategy that protects your resources form these vulnerabilities.