Cloud security challenges
Presented by: Rahim Aryan, Amamuddin, Ihsan ullah, Keramat
Ullah, Barakat Ullah, Amad Ullah
Cloud Security Challenges
Understanding Risks and Building Secure Cloud Systems
This presentation explores the critical challenges in cloud
security, defining key risks and strategies to safeguard cloud-
based data and infrastructures. We will dive deep into common
vulnerabilities, real-world examples, and best practices to
ensure resilient, secure cloud systems that protect sensitive
assets while enabling business continuity.
Introduction to Cloud Security
Cloud security refers to safeguarding cloud Ensuring cloud security demands a combination of
environments including data, applications, and encryption, identity management, threat detection,
infrastructure against unauthorized access and and rigorous compliance frameworks. A well-
cyber threats. It encompasses technologies, implemented approach addresses not only
policies, and controls designed to protect technological factors but also governance to
confidentiality, integrity, and availability—the core manage risks effectively in dynamic cloud
elements of security often abbreviated as CIA. ecosystems.
Importance of Cloud Security
Expanding Attack Surface
Adoption of cloud services increases vulnerable points exposed to cyberattacks,
necessitating robust security mechanisms.
Protection of Sensitive Data
Cloud environments often store confidential business and customer information
demanding stringent safeguards.
Business Continuity
Reliance on cloud necessitates maintaining availability and integrity to ensure
uninterrupted operations.
Shared Responsibility
Security duties are divided between cloud providers and users, requiring clear
understanding and collaboration.
Key Cloud Security Challenges
Data Breaches Data Loss
Unauthorized access compromising sensitive information. Permanence risk from deletion, corruption, or attacks.
Insecure APIs Misconfiguration
Exploitation through weak or flawed interfaces. Human errors exposing cloud resources.
Insider Threats Account Hijacking
Internal misuse of access privileges. Compromise using stolen credentials.
Denial of Service (DoS) Lack of Visibility
Disrupting service availability via attacks. Inadequate monitoring hampers threat detection.
Compliance Issues Shadow IT
Failing to meet regulatory and legal standards. Unauthorized cloud services increasing risk exposure.
Data Breaches in Cloud Environments
Data breaches occur when unauthorized actors gain A notable incident is the Capital One breach of
access to sensitive cloud data, often through weak 2019, where an exploited misconfigured firewall
authentication methods or misconfigured database gave attackers access to over 100 million customer
services. These breaches can lead to severe records. This case highlights the significance of
reputational damage and regulatory penalties for diligent cloud security configurations and constant
organizations. vigilance.
Data Loss: Risks and
Recovery
1 Causes of Data 2 Backup Strategies
Loss
Includes accidental Regular automated
deletion, ransomware backups and redundant
encryption, corruption storage across multiple
from software faults, locations minimize
and cyberattacks. permanent data loss
risks.
3 Ransomware Threat
Attackers encrypt cloud data to demand payment;
prevention and rapid recovery plans are critical.
Insecure APIs: Threats and
Prevention
API Vulnerabilities Security Best Practices
APIs can be exploited for
injection attacks, Implement strong
bypassing authentication, authentication, input
or exposing sensitive validation, regular testing,
functions if not properly and monitoring to prevent
secured. API misuse.
Role in Cloud Security
APIs enable cloud service integrations; their security
directly impacts overall cloud infrastructure safety.
Misconfiguration: The Silent Risk
Misconfiguration remains one of the most common These errors often stem from human mistakes or
and dangerous cloud security issues. Default lack of security awareness during cloud
settings, unintended public access, and weak deployment. Automated configuration management
policies create exploitable gaps in cloud tools and continuous auditing can help mitigate
environments. these risks effectively.
Insider Threats: Hidden
Dangers
Nature of Insider Challenges in
Threats Detection
Employees or partners Such threats are
with legitimate access difficult to identify
may intentionally or because malicious
inadvertently cause actions look like
harm to cloud security. authorized activities.
Mitigation Strategies
Implement least privilege access, monitor user activity,
and foster security awareness to reduce insider risks.
Account Hijacking: Preventing Access Exploits
Account hijacking occurs when attackers steal Such compromises allow attackers to manipulate or
credentials via phishing, brute force, or credential exfiltrate data, launch further attacks, or incur
stuffing attacks, gaining full control over cloud financial losses. Multi-factor authentication, strong
accounts and resources. password policies, and continuous monitoring are
essential prevention methods.
Thank You
