A List of Cloud Migration Risks and Tips for Avoiding These

Cloud migration refers to the process of shifting business data to cloud storage. Several organizations are quick to implement a plan for it after coming to know about its benefits. Cloud-based services have become more popular over the previous decade. So to not provide your software solutions through the cloud tends to be perceived as an outdated practice.

However, when businesses are in a cloud adoption race, they tend to overlook the aspect of security. Using a model of the shared responsibility security framework with the service provider your business selects, is part of cloud software development. There are more possibly vulnerable aspects when handling cloud solutions. The software attack surface becomes bigger because there is usually a cloud API service provider, content from and to different sources, the application’s core code and the user machine/computer.

We have identified certain vulnerabilities and risks part of choosing cloud adoption, plus ways to avoid these issues.

Less User Control

The user lacks full autonomy when operating cloud-based programs. The bulk of the logical operations and data processing is performed on a different server from theirs. A cyber attack on that server could harm and make the cloud data of every user to a lower-than-desirable level. This attack could ruin an effective program overnight.

Potential Application Interface Programming Vulnerabilities

Almost every cloud program development process involves the use of an API (application programming interface) to cause common calls to be more intuitive and easier. However, any program user can utilize one of the many different tools to view the URL (uniform resource location) to every single API, plus the parameters the interface expects. In the event credentials are  not verified with each API call, then you might just have trouble.

Unauthorized Spawning of Instance

Spinning up a virtual machine’s instance is extremely simple to do through major cloud service providers. However, when the login credentials are made weaker, a malicious computer user could just spawn fresh instances, costing your business top dollar. The instances could unauthorizedly connect to the other instances of your business and thereby, take data out of the latter.

Shared Cloud Solutions Exploits

The servers which facilitate the cloud service are inherently shared by a lot of businesses.  Companies attempt to segregate every single business’s data in a logical way, but an attacker might just be able to access the cloud server to make it compromised. This way, he or she might steal your business data.

Safe Deletion Problems

Occasionally, you will have to delete data in a safe manner. You can easily do this through desktop software programs, but it will be more tricky when you utilize many cloud providers and servers.

Single-Provider Monopoly

There are attractive offers with cloud service providers for you, but changing providers can take a lot of time and effort. You never know when you have to move data from the existing provider to a different one. The major cloud providers market is dominated by some, and there are signs it could be even more monopolistic in the years to come.

Inappropriate User Privileges

The cloud credentials of any business could be stolen. All major solutions come with internal cloud user management, a feature through which individuals are assigned responsibilities with privileges. If every person shares a single cloud account, this is more likely to happen.

Overlooked IT Workers

When mostly overlooked, all cloud migration plans can put much burden on the IT people of your organization. If they have too many tasks to do day-in, day-out, then it can cause cloud migration to be unbearable and result in shocking mistakes from them.

Insider Threats

A threat to your business might come from those who are privy to your internal security practices, internal data and computers. Unlike conventional software, a company insider who has administrative access to your cloud account can destroy a program and your reputation quickly.

Loss of Data

By using many vendors, everything including an attacker/attack and an electricity outage at the data center can cause you to experience a sudden loss of data. Without an appropriate backup plan in place, this can quickly make a program unavailable for use.

An Excessive Number of Suppliers

There are so many cloud program suppliers out there, so your business data may be put through many providers. If one supplier is compromised, then it may be beyond your control.

Doing Too Little Homework

Several businesses wish to instantly migrate data to the cloud after they hear about the benefits of this technology. However, in the excitement of implementing the process, they do not do their due diligence. Not doing the proper research on cloud service can cause fatal mistakes.

How to Mitigate Cloud Risks

You can utilize the following cloud security methods to be safe.

• Make the effort to set up your account and confirm that users have the right privileges. Never permit the use of shared cloud accounts and do not forget to provide every single user with the least practical privilege.
• Automate processes, such as database backups. Never leave room for user errors.
• Make sure that it’s possible for you to log and view data coming in and going out in an adequate fashion. Put money into a software suite that facilitates you in drilling down into sessions so that you can single out possibly malicious users.
• Confirm that your team members understand the set of suppliers being used. Assign them duties like confirming that each provider used is kept updated with patches.