The dawn of cloud computing created endless business opportunities for organizations seeking substantial growth by delivering a flawless user experience backed with robust security. Regardless of the niche, enterprises are now leveraging the public cloud to its full potential and ability to stay ahead of the competition. Moreover, public clouds have significantly increased the deployment of virtual machines since it offers flexibility and is quite affordable, even for startups and small enterprises. However, the rapid adoption of the public and hybrid cloud doesn’t necessarily mean that sensitive information stored on remote servers or shared clouds is secure. A recent survey revealed that phishing is one of the most common cloud attacks, with 73% of respondents agreeing that their organization faced a phishing attack. And phishing is just one risk; plenty of other underlying risks can affect your cloud security. Hence, businesses must understand the risks associated with public cloud security and take timely action to avoid financial and reputational losses. Let’s understand the risks associated with the public cloud and how businesses can take timely action to avoid the risks. Risks Associated with Public Cloud InfrastructuresSince several risks can impact a business, here’s the list of some of the most common risks that every business should be aware of: #1. Lack of data control.One of the biggest challenges with the public cloud infrastructure is that the data is stored outside the enterprise’s IT environment. And this can be pretty risky from an information security perspective. Hence, most public cloud providers suggest enterprises create backups of their sensitive information to deal with any risky situation. Besides, privacy risks, especially in shared cloud infrastructure, can't be overlooked. And the sensitive data is beyond the control of the organization. So, businesses need to invest in cloud security best practices, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and risk-based authentication (RBA). #2. Shared access data privacy risks.Since most enterprises aren’t relying on renowned cloud providers, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, the risk of data privacy and identity theft lingers. Moreover, cybercriminals are always searching for ways to breach security by bypassing the poor line of defense. In a nutshell, they exploit destructive authentication mechanisms. So, how should an organization protect the privacy and security of its consumer information? Users may be misusing their account verification. It's in these cases that the Zero Trust Model works. The zero trust model believes no user can be trusted, and verification is no longer an option. It supports the theory that all users must be authenticated, authorized, and regularly verified to ensure they can be trusted with the data in any business hierarchy. #3. Availability risks.Another major issue that can affect the overall security of your cloud is connection failures and cloud server downtime. Many businesses have faced DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks in the last couple of years, leading to identity theft and financial and reputational damages. And the number of such attacks is surging exponentially. DDoS attacks are pretty common in private cloud infrastructure, and one robust way to avoid such attacks is to choose servers offering 100% uptime. A cloud-based CIAM (customer identity and access management) solution like LoginRadius, has set up automated failover systems in all layers of our architecture, which is why it ensures 99.99% uptime every month. Final ThoughtsThe increasing number of enterprises leveraging the cloud has increased the risk of data breaches and identity thefts. Businesses considering leveraging the private cloud shouldn’t overlook the security aspects and must consider relying on n robust security infrastructure. Enterprises thinking about accelerating business growth through cloud adoption shouldn't miss the aspects above. Originally published at LoginRadius https://bit.ly/3DfxjaX https://bit.ly/3W6trlg
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Think again for all the startups who think your data security doesn't matter! Major impacts for startups if you don't take care of cybersecurity: - Operational Downtime - Customer Trust - Lose customers https://bit.ly/3NaSAqV https://bit.ly/3U7grKt Passwords are a necessity for safety in the digital world. But with the increasing number of passwords, it is difficult to remember them all. If an attacker gets access to your password, they can access all of your information. This article will explore the dangers of using passwords and how you can protect your digital assets without worrying about them! Password managers help users by taking care of passwords and other security measures. A password manager is a software program that helps you to keep track of your passwords by storing them in an encrypted database. It also has various security features like auto-lock, two-factor authentication, and strong encryption, making it more secure than just plain text passwords. Password keychains are one way to store your passwords offline, but with the risk of being stolen or lost. Password managers are a better alternative because they can be accessed from anywhere and have many features that make them safer than password keychains. Password Security ConcernsPasswords are the weakest link in the security chain. They are also notoriously difficult to remember, which is why many people use the same password for multiple accounts. The problem of passwords is not new, but it becomes more pressing as technology advances and more and more aspects of our lives become connected. Inevitably, there will be a time when someone will hack into your online bank account, steal your identity and use it to commit fraud or worse. Therefore, it is essential to take some simple steps to improve password security. The best way to protect yourself from this is by using different passwords for every site you use and creating strong passwords that are difficult for hackers to crack. You should also never share personal information online or over the phone. Password Manager Alternatives for Your Security NeedsA password manager is a software program that saves passwords for the user, thus protecting against phishing. However, several alternatives to a password manager can provide the same level of security. Biometric security is one of the best alternatives to a password manager. It works by identifying an individual based on their unique physical attributes. Fingerprints or facial recognition are two of the most common biometrics used today. Another alternative to a password manager is using two-factor authentication (2FA). When logging in, you need your username and password and a code sent by text message or generated by an app like Google Authenticator. How AI will Change the Game The future of password managers is already in the making. You can find the most promising innovations about changing the world forever. 1. Cybersecurity is getting increasingly important for everyone, including those who don't work in IT. That's why we need to ensure our passwords are as secure as possible and use different passwords for every account we have. 2. Password managers are a great way to generate strong passwords and keep them safe from hackers, but one major problem is that they're not very convenient to use! 3. Password managers are fully integrated into our browsers and apps so that they can be used without even opening an app or typing a single letter! 4. Some innovations could make password management easier - like fingerprint and facial recognition on smartphones! AI is not just a trend. It is a reality that will change the way we live and work. AI software has already changed the way we think about security and passwords. We are all aware of how easy it is to get hacked nowadays and how important it is to have strong passwords to protect our data. But did you know that with AI, your password manager can do much more than just store your passwords? AI in security software will soon become an essential part of our lives as people are becoming more dependent on the internet for everyday life. How AI can help secure passwords AI security software can help us determine if someone has been using the application and/or computer without permission while we were away from it by monitoring what they do on our computer through keystrokes or mouse movements. With AI integrated into password managers can remember complicated passwords and generate new ones when you forget yours. ConclusionIt is no secret that passwords are a pain to keep up with. They are often forgotten, lost, and stolen. And when they are stolen, it can be difficult to recover from the damage of getting hacked. The future of password management is here, and it's upside down! How about a world without passwords? Some innovations happen where passwordless and passkeys make it possible to remove passwords. You can be confident that your accounts will stay safe and secure if there are no passwords. https://bit.ly/3syhxDe https://bit.ly/3DdEnVu With the growing number of cyberattacks and data breaches, businesses are swiftly inching towards more robust security mechanisms. And zero trust architecture is one of them. Zero trust may be potent for reinforcing overall security, but chances of sneaking and security breaches aren’t always zero. However, if not implemented correctly, it could lead to various security and user experience issues and hampers overall business growth. Let’s understand the aspects of implementing zero trust architecture and how businesses can reap maximum security and user experience benefits. What is Zero Trust Security? Why it Matters Now More than Ever?Zero trust can be defined as the security concept based on a belief that enterprises shouldn’t automatically trust any device or individual, whether inside or outside its perimeters and should strictly verify everything before granting access. In a nutshell, zero trust relies on the principle of “don’t trust anyone.” This architecture cuts all access points until proper verification and trust are established. No access is provided until the system verifies the individual or device demanding n access to the IP address, instrument, or storage. This strategic initiative helps prevent data breaches as the concept of trusting anyone is eliminated, even if the access request is from within the network. Hence, implementing zero trust architecture ensures the highest level of security and mitigates the risk of a data breach or unauthorized access. Implementing a zero-trust architecture in today’s era is crucial since cybercriminals are exploring new ways of breaching organizations' security. Moreover, in a post-covid world, where remote working is swiftly becoming the new routine, identity thefts and unauthorized access are creating big hurdles for enterprises. Hence, it’s crucial for organizations to think outside the box and not just rely on conventional security mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication. Zero-trust architecture has become the new normal. Consequences of Poor Implementation of Zero Trust ArchitectureAs discussed above, zero trust architecture helps improve overall security and enhances user experience. Hence, a little loophole in implementation could cause financial and reputational losses. On the other hand, the lack of a multi-phased approach and transparency while implementing zero trust could further increase the risks since employees aren’t aware of certain aspects of data security. In a nutshell, transparency while implementing zero-trust architecture is crucial. How Businesses Can Ensure Complete Transparency While Implementing Zero Trust Architecture?#1. Prioritizing employee educationEducating your employees is perhaps the most crucial aspect of maintaining transparency since it clarifies the zero-trust architecture and how it works. Organizing training sessions could help them better understand everything related to security-related issues and how zero trust could help overcome the same. Apart from this, employees can easily support the overall access requirements for vendors, employees, and customers while mergers and acquisitions (M&A). #2. Promoting cross-department collaborationManaging access across diverse departments is conventionally handled by integrated employee-centric access management solutions. And this could be a risky thing. Implementing zero trust through an identity management platform for seamless access management for cross-department collaboration helps ensure complete transparency throughout the organization. A CIAM solution helps manage things seamlessly and offers complete transparency regarding access management within employees to employees, machines, and machine-to-machine communications. Final ThoughtsZero trust architecture is undeniably helping brands reinforce their overall security infrastructure, but consequences related to bad implementation shouldn’t be ignored. A reliable customer identity and access management (CIAM) could seamlessly help businesses integrate zero-trust architecture across their platform. It offers complete transparency reinforced with stringent security and a great user experience. Originally published at LoginRadius https://bit.ly/3TtpnJH https://bit.ly/3MD0eKk A cyberattack or hack can be perpetrated by individuals or a group of individuals for financial gain, espionage, or simply mischief. Threat actors use many methodologies and vectors to hack or infiltrate computers or network systems to compromise underlying information systems' confidentiality, integrity, or availability. For instance, they exploit weak passwords and software vulnerabilities and use social engineering tactics as the most common entry points to barge into an organization's network periphery. Let's see how an average cyber hack occurs – the motivation behind a cyberattack, the steps involved, and the most common entry points for a cyber adversary. What is a Cyberattack?A cyberattack attempts to disrupt or disable a computer system for various purposes, from accessing confidential information such as Intellectual Property or Trade Secrets to bringing the organization to a standstill. Cyberattacks are of multiple types, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, malware infections, phishing attacks, MitM (Man-in-the-middle) attacks, etc. The Motivation Behind CyberattacksUnderstanding the purposes and motivations behind cyberattacks can help security professionals and individuals implement effective preventive control measures around information systems. There can be many motives behind a cyber attack, such as:
Anatomy of an Average Cyberattack: How Does it Work?Skilled malicious actors generally carry out a cyberattack with repeated attempts and stages. Cyberattacks can take many forms, and understanding the stages involved can help organizations better protect themselves. Typically, a cyberattack involves the following steps:
The first stage is surveillance or reconnaissance. In this stage, the hacker tries to find as much information about the target, including what software and security measures are in place. This information can be used to plan a more successful attack or is sold to other threat actors who may not have the time or resources to gather the information themselves. There are many different ways to collect information about a target. The most common methods are:
2. The Control Phase Next is the stage where the hackers take control of the network. They need a base from which an attack can be well-planned and executed. This can be done in several ways, such as:
3. The Attack Phase Once the cyber adversaries have gained access to the system, they can execute the attack. It may involve installing malware, stealing data, or simply vandalizing the system.
4. Post Attack Phase Once the attack objective is achieved, the attackers could
In the aftermath of a cyberattack, businesses must take remedial steps to mitigate the damage. This may include conducting a forensic analysis to determine the extent of the breach and identify the perpetrators, notifying customers and employees about the attack, securing the network, and protecting against future attacks. The Most Common Entry Points for Cyber AdversariesCyber adversaries use a variety of entry points to compromise organizations. Knowing where these entry points are and how they are used can help you better protect your organization from a cyberattack. Some of the most common entry points are:
Phishing is a social engineering tactic used by cybercriminals to lure the end-user into divulging PII (Personally Identifiable Information) or other confidential information. For instance, these malicious actors use fraudulent emails purporting to be from a trusted organization or individual to steal information such as passwords or credit card numbers. The emails may contain links to malicious websites or attachments that can download malware onto the recipient's computer.
Injection attacks occur when user input is not sanitized correctly, allowing malicious code or commands to be executed. This can allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive data or take control of the system. Several different ways an injection attack can occur, for example, SQL injection, Cross-site scripting, etc.
One of the most common ways cyber adversaries gain access to organizations is by exploiting rogue access points. These are unauthorized wireless access points set up by cybercriminals to allow them to gain access to networks quickly. They can be challenging to detect, as they look like legitimate access points.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web page, resulting in the execution of the code by unsuspecting users who visit the page. The code can steal user data, execute commands on the user's computer, or perform other malicious activities. XSS can be exploited by sending a specially crafted payload to a user logged in to a vulnerable website. The payload can be delivered in an email, URL, or attachment. Attackers can also exploit XSS vulnerabilities to inject malicious code into third-party websites that users of the vulnerable website visit. Preventive Measures And Safeguards Against Most Common CyberattacksBusiness leaders need to realize that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution or strategy to counter cyber threats. However, there are a few points that can help organizations prevent cyberattacks to a significant extent, such as:
Final WordsIn summation, while the threat vectors could slightly vary from industry to industry, the anatomy of an average hack remains the same, and it goes through the four stages as discussed above. The primary takeaway is that one can proactively protect information assets from malicious actors by understanding how threat actors operate. Knowing common entry points and how they are exploited can go a long way in helping you become more aware of the modus operandi of malicious actors so that you can take preventive security measures accordingly and improve your organization's cybersecurity posture. https://bit.ly/3CziJe6 https://bit.ly/3eDQ1kc In a world where digital experiences play a crucial role in the overall success of a business, federated SSO (single sign-on) helps brands deliver seamless authentication experiences across multiple platforms. With fed SSO, businesses can bridge the authentication gap between multiple platforms and enable users with cloud identity services to access services offered by one or more partner businesses/media without needing a separate login at the partner platform. Authentication plays an essential role in the overall success of a business both from an information security perspective and a user experience perspective. Hence, neglecting its worth could cause brands to lose their potential clients, and their loyal customers may also switch. Let’s understand the aspects of fed SSO and how businesses could leverage it to deliver the highest level of user experience reinforced by security. But first: SSO! Single sign-on provides a unified login experience to users that wish to switch platforms/applications of the same vendor. In a nutshell, SSO ensures smooth authentication and minimizes fatigue while users switch between different applications/media of the same vendor. SSO is practiced within an organization to ensure users access inter-connected platforms without needing to re-enter credentials or re-authenticate themselves. What is Fed SSO? How Does it Impact Businesses?Federated single sign-on (SSO) establishes inter-organizational trust that helps seamless authorization and authentication of each others’ users. Fed SSO generates an authentication URL, and when the user clicks on the URL, the cloud identity service makes a digitally signed token to verify the partner platform. And this token is further submitted by the web browser to the partner’s SSO during a new session. The federated SSO works by offering a partnership role involving two parties, including the service provider (SP) and identity provider (IdP). The identity provider provides a digital token, and the service provider validates the digital token and creates a new session offering access to the program/application. Who Needs Federated SSO?Businesses concerned regarding their brand reputation in delivering a rich consumer experience without compromising security shouldn’t ignore the true potential of federated SSO. With federated SSO, businesses can overcome the hassle of resetting passwords and ensure their customers can flawlessly switch between applications/platforms of different service providers without worrying about their security. Businesses requiring higher peak load management and an identity management system to provide real-time load management should choose a reliable CIAM solution offering federated SSO capabilities. Why Choose LoginRadius Federated SSO?With LoginRadius federated SSO, you can accept tokens and identities issued by niche identity providers of your choice and allow your customers to authenticate on your website for seamless transactions. Moreover, identity providers can be your organizational partners who already issue and hold digital identities/tokens/tickets. With LoginRadius Federated SSO, your business can leverage that identity and make authentication seamless for your customers. LoginRadius guarantees unparalleled uptime of 99.99% every month. The cloud-based identity provider manages 180K logins per second, 20 times more than its major competitors! Apart from delivering the industry's best consumer, the following are a few ways the platform excels compared to its competitors.
In ConclusionWith businesses swiftly adopting technology to embark on a digital transformation journey, federated SSO can help quickly navigate the journey. Undoubtedly, brands not leveraging a reliable SSO partner to offer seamless cross-platform authentication and authorization will lag behind the competition. Businesses can invoke the true potential of inter-business SSO through LoginRadius CIAM and offer a rich customer experience and enhanced security. Originally published at LoginRadius https://bit.ly/3rSLVbb https://bit.ly/3TgaKJS Many people like starting a business because they feel they have a great idea or can do something better than someone else. https://bit.ly/3CpFrW6 https://bit.ly/3VcVIGi In the privacy and security-first market, businesses frequently use cloud-based solutions to benefit their increased security, scalability, agility, and flexibility. Modern cloud practices have become more prevalent, allowing businesses to deploy cloud strategies to maintain the continuity of operations effectively. Cloud adoption is likely to continue expanding quickly across all sectors and businesses since the overall benefits of cloud technology are so compelling. Cloud Security – Explained! A branch of cyber security called “cloud security” is committed to protecting cloud computing infrastructure following a predefined set of rules and policies. This includes maintaining data security and privacy across web-based platforms, infrastructure, and apps. Since cloud systems are frequently shared, identity management, privacy, and access control are highly critical for cloud security. Furthermore, cloud service providers and businesses share a great deal of accountability for securing cloud infrastructure. Why do Businesses Need Cloud Security? Nowadays, the number of confidential data businesses generate, gather, and store is enormous. As businesses continue to shift their data to the cloud, it is more crucial than ever for them to understand the essential requirements for ensuring data security. Although independent cloud service providers can be given control over the management and protection of the cloud infrastructure, this does not always entail a transfer of responsibility and security for data assets. Data Protection Challenges in the Cloud With the ability to securely store information and execute various operations online, the adoption of cloud technology has almost become inevitable. However, there are a few risks associated with cloud computing as well. On that note, the following are some significant challenges that companies leveraging cloud infrastructure may experience.
Businesses opting for cloud storage need to figure out how to effectively handle cloud data collection and management activities. To learn more about this specific topic, refer to this ebook, which effectively addresses the challenges associated with data collection, management, and privacy.
Critical Businesses Actions to Boost Cloud Security
A Cloud Identity and Access Management solution should be employed by businesses to manage secure access to cloud resources. Access control helps businesses manage who has access to the cloud applications and data, what they can access, and what actions they can perform. It provides an ideal entry point into a zero trust implementation, centralizes access control, and reduces insider threats. 2. Data Encryption Implementing data encryption strategies in the cloud is one of the ways to create a secure cloud infrastructure. In the cloud context, encryption is crucial for both data at rest and in transit. Data that is encrypted and stored in the cloud is more secure and makes it even more difficult for malicious users to leak or illegally sell the data. 3. Frequent Data Backups Numerous factors can cause businesses to lose their valuable data, and without a backup copy, recovering it will be costly, time-consuming, and sometimes impossible. Businesses must have a comprehensive data backup policy to store the data safely and securely against data loss, corruption, and theft. Furthermore, data backups are not to prevent data loss; they are meant to be restored in the event of data loss. 4. Continuous Monitoring and Logging Continuous monitoring and logging tools in the cloud infrastructure can help businesses quickly identify unauthorized activities. A cloud infrastructure’s operational workflow and processes are continuously monitored, recorded, and managed through cloud monitoring and logging. In case of any unexpected events, businesses can refer to these records to quickly discover who tampers with the cloud settings, what kind of change has been done, and take proactive actions if needed. Conclusion As businesses shift their endpoints, data centers, business processes, and other resources to the cloud, cloud data security becomes more and more crucial. Businesses must select the best cloud security solution and adhere to all necessary data-safety measures to get the most out of the cloud and ensure that it is protected against unauthorized access and data breaches. By identifying potential challenges in the cloud environment and following the best security practices, businesses can lower risks and fully benefit from cloud computing. Originally published at GRCOutlook https://bit.ly/3C9qusi https://bit.ly/3Cc0dcN Are you interested in getting involved in cybersecurity or tech start-ups? Learn about my story and how I got started in this short video. Get in touch for help starting your journey into business. https://bit.ly/3BA3vF6 https://bit.ly/3RZo1G9 Data privacy is now a priority for enterprises to manage and address proactively. Consumers are increasingly concerned about how their data is collected, processed, managed, and shared. Although this paradigm shift began a few years ago, its importance and influence on purchase decisions have increased. Hence, data privacy requires an enhanced focus and effort to get it right. Often, it’s more probable that enterprise leaders will think of revenue growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability in a way that's obvious and straightforward—simply put, first-order thinking that connects the dots between their goals and the strategy and broader business activities they should perform. But with this approach, they might struggle to realign business priorities with growing changes. And they could fail to deeply consider the effects of second-order and third-order changes in the business landscape that alter how they approach their strategy in achieving their goals. This is a surprising insight because enterprise leaders carry decades of operational and strategic experience and often deal with technical complexities. Enterprise leaders should recognize the limitations of this view and tackle business problems with an enhanced perspective. This shift is essential, as enterprises are often perceived as rigid and unwilling to disrupt themselves, risking relying only on experiential strengths, which can prove to be weaknesses. Change, however, should be embraced, as each change can provide opportunities and strategic levers that help an enterprise innovate, improve and grow. Notably, the data landscape is changing rapidly with technological innovations, a rising variety of data regulations and consumer concerns. This presents new challenges that need to be addressed with a combination of experiential know-how and bold moves. When enterprises overcome these challenges, they can create growth opportunities and a sustainable long-term business outlook. Today, the data privacy landscape is so complicated that even digital-native, tech-first innovators like Google and Amazon have had problems with compliance violations and massive monetary penalties. Of course, Google and Amazon benefit from monopolistic profits to overcome regulatory shortcomings and penalties, which is not a comfort available for many enterprises. Yet, the current data privacy landscape also presents an opportunity for enterprises. Those who understand and embrace data privacy and implement structured processes, train people, develop optimal strategies and leverage cutting-edge technologies for better data privacy governance can gain a competitive advantage that positions them to grow and possibly disrupt the markets they operate in. As such, enterprises need to embrace a paradigm shift from thinking of data privacy as not only a regulatory and compliance risk concern but also a competitive advantage. In brief, enterprises should consider the following imperatives in prioritizing data privacy initiatives:
Data management is increasingly overlapping with all the capabilities and functions of an enterprise. With this shift, enterprises should prioritize data privacy initiatives and proactively address consumer concerns to better position data management and privacy as a competitive enterprise advantage. Originally published at Forbes https://bit.ly/3BR8Idb https://bit.ly/3Sdqc8J |
AuthorDeepak Gupta is the Co-Founder and CTO of LoginRadius, a leading customer identity and access management provider. He is the product visionary who architected and streamlined the LoginRadius CIAM platform from the ground up to scale it globally to serve over a billion user identities worldwide. Deepak is recognized for translating thinking to action, providing remarkable outcomes by implementing new ideas and concepts that have generated results in a quick span. What he does, leads directly to the strategic application of emerging technologies. Deepak has authored several books and invented patents within the technology and cybersecurity space as an avid explorer of all things digital. He is also a keynote speaker for a wide variety of global events and conferences centered around data, cybersecurity, and technology while writing for leading tech magazines like FastCompany, DevOps, CIO, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and more. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |