Have you ever accidentally left the key to your house underneath the mat? Now think about leaving the key to your cloud account on the public internet—but with an infinite number of eyes looking just for that event. That’s precisely what happens when there are breaches due to cloud misconfigurations.
The first thing to note is that minor mistakes made when configuring cloud services can result in hackers stealing data and other information. Let’s look at the primary misconfigurations: IAM drift, public buckets, and API leaks and why all of these are dangerous.
Imagine, for example, an entry-level position had a role in the system that inadvertently gave them an administrator's rights. Hackers are watching for these misconfigurations so they can exploit them to infiltrate your system correctly. What seems like a minor misstep could spiral into a major breach quickly.
Just to give you an example, I read that a company published customer information to the internet in a public bucket and they had no password or any other protection preventing this.
Hackers don't even need to "break in." That is why it's absolutely vital to routinely check cloud storage settings.
In conclusion, Cloud misconfigurations including IAM drift, public buckets, or API leaks may feel trivial, but can lead to a huge headache. Monitor settings, secure your cloud, and keep the hackers out.
The first thing to note is that minor mistakes made when configuring cloud services can result in hackers stealing data and other information. Let’s look at the primary misconfigurations: IAM drift, public buckets, and API leaks and why all of these are dangerous.
IAM Drift - Incorrect Permissions
IAM stands for Identity and Access Management and defines "who can do what" in the cloud. Over a period of time, permissions become messy; there are too many people with too many privileges. This is referred to as IAM drift -- that is, a misalignment of what permissions users should have in the system.Imagine, for example, an entry-level position had a role in the system that inadvertently gave them an administrator's rights. Hackers are watching for these misconfigurations so they can exploit them to infiltrate your system correctly. What seems like a minor misstep could spiral into a major breach quickly.
Public Buckets - Data Available to Everyone
The second misconfiguration that can cause a serious breach is a public bucket. A public bucket is basic storage in the cloud that sometimes, even maybe unintentionally, has a link to access that is effectively open to all.Just to give you an example, I read that a company published customer information to the internet in a public bucket and they had no password or any other protection preventing this.
Hackers don't even need to "break in." That is why it's absolutely vital to routinely check cloud storage settings.
API Leaks – Hidden Backdoors
Last but not least are API leaks. APIs connect apps and services to each other. If they aren't set up correctly, hackers can use them to extract data. In some instances, APIs can even expose the keys in code, where anyone can find them. I once helped a small company find API keys straight in their code. It would have been easy for hackers to use it. Sticking with the scary theme... right?How to Stay Safe
Fortunately, taking these actions is manageable. By relying on routine reviews, automated scanning tools, and defined access policy allowing you to dictate who accesses what will help a great deal. Always monitor API access and check data storage permissions. Treat your cloud like your home—lock the door properly and ensure the keys you use are not laying around.In conclusion, Cloud misconfigurations including IAM drift, public buckets, or API leaks may feel trivial, but can lead to a huge headache. Monitor settings, secure your cloud, and keep the hackers out.
