How unsecured cloud data storages continue to compromise the security of organizations

What is a cloud storage provider?

A cloud storage provider is a company that offers remote storage of digital data through the internet. Users can store, access, and manage their data and files on servers maintained by the provider, rather than on their own personal computers or local servers. Cloud storage eliminates the need for physical storage devices, reduces the cost and complexity of data management, and enables users to access their data from anywhere with an internet connection.

What are the top 5 cloud storage providers globally?

The top 5 cloud storage providers globally, based on market share and popularity, are:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
2. Microsoft Azure
3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
4. IBM Cloud
5. Alibaba Cloud.

What are the general risks associated with cloud storages?

The risks associated with cloud storage include:

1. Data breaches: cloud storage providers may suffer security breaches, exposing user data to unauthorized access.
2. Data loss: data stored in the cloud can be lost due to technical failures, human error or natural disasters.
3. Compliance issues: Some industries have strict regulations regarding the storage and handling of sensitive information, and failure to comply can result in fines and legal penalties.
4. Inadequate security: Cloud storage providers may not have adequate security measures in place to protect user data, or may not follow best practices for securing data.
5. Insufficient control: Users may not have sufficient control over their data stored in the cloud, and may be limited in their ability to access, manage or delete their own data.
6. Dependence on internet connectivity: Access to cloud storage is dependent on internet connectivity, and if the connection is lost, access to data stored in the cloud may be unavailable.
7. Vendor lock-in: Users may become locked into a specific cloud storage provider, making it difficult and expensive to switch to another provider if needed.
8. Performance degradation: The performance of cloud storage can degrade as the amount of stored data grows, affecting the speed at which data can be accessed or processed.

What are the specific risks related to AWS S3 buckets?

AWS S3 is an object storage service in the Amazon cloud. S3 allows both users and applications to save and retrieve practically any type of data that can be stored in its digital form. S3 data is saved in buckets. These are containers of software in which data can be stored and retrieved on an as-needed basis. Many enterprises continue to leave cloud storage buckets unprotected, even though extensive documentation is available on how to properly secure these buckets. Recent studies have shown that 1 in 5 publicly accessible buckets contained sensitive data (PII). In the past, many buckets have been widely exposed.Some of the most important S3 risks include:

• Configuration errors or failures that allow malicious users to access sensitive data in S3 buckets
• Lack of understanding of what data is stored in S3 buckets and if protection for that specific data is adequate
• Configuration problems that allow bad actors to upload malware to S3 buckets, and potentially create a baseline that they can use for further attacks

How can you monitor data exposure in cloud storages?

In Kaduu, you can monitor S3 buckets using our deep web monitoring service, but also Azure cloud storage containers for sensitive data related to your keyword.You can enter any keyword like “bank” or “bank switzerland” and Kaduu will monitor for the exact match in public cloud storage on a daily base. Of course, it is not always possible to implement all security measures and data therefore always ends up in the darknet. Therefore we recommend the use of our Darknet monitoring service.