The cloud has become increasingly complex and important, with security concerns such as misconfigurations leading to data breaches and denial-of-service attacks. Despite efforts to secure the perimeter, issues with data segregation, access rights, and permissions often remain overlooked, resulting in large data breaches when unauthorized access occurs.
Effective threat management programs, such as External Attack Surface Management (EASM), are essential to continuously monitor and address security vulnerabilities in cloud services. These programs should be threat-informed, aligning with threat intelligence to ensure appropriate controls are in place. As cloud implementations continue to grow, EASM becomes even more crucial, especially in light of the rapid deployment of new cloud services during the Covid pandemic.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) introduces new risks, as organizations deploy AI services that increase their attack surface and threat actors leverage AI-enhanced tools for reconnaissance and targeting. This presents a fast-evolving threat landscape, requiring robust vulnerability management, EASM, and penetration testing programs to mitigate risks effectively.
As the use of AI by threat actors grows more sophisticated, defenders must proactively invest in their security measures to keep pace with evolving threats. Understanding the critical role of the cloud in this environment is crucial for organizations to effectively protect their data and systems.