2023 Cloud Risk Report: Crowdstrike

As the cloud continues to play a vital role in the majority of organizations’ IT infrastructure, CloudStrike, a leading cybersecurity company, has released its 2023 Cloud Risk Report, highlighting the most common threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices to mitigate risks in cloud environments. The report aims to provide actionable insights and guidance for organizations to strengthen their cloud security posture.

Key Findings and Trends

The 2023 Cloud Risk Report identifies several key findings and trends that organizations should be aware of:

1. Increased Cloud Adoption: The report notes that 85% of organizations have adopted cloud services, with 62% using a hybrid cloud approach. This rapid adoption has brought new challenges, including increased attack surfaces and security concerns.
2. Cloud Misconfigurations: The report reveals that 63% of cloud breaches are caused by misconfigurations, misuse, or other human errors. This highlights the importance of implementing proper cloud security best practices and implementing automated monitoring and remediation tools.
3. Cloud Workload Protection: The report emphasizes the need for Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPPs) to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Only 45% of organizations have implemented a CWPP, putting the remaining 55% at risk.
4. Rise of API-Based Attacks: The report notes a significant increase in API-based attacks, with 69% of organizations reporting API-related security breaches. This emphasizes the need for robust API security controls and monitoring.
5. Insider Threats: The report highlights the importance of insider threat detection and response. 53% of organizations reported insider-related security incidents, highlighting the need for robust access controls and monitoring.

Top Cloud Risks

The report identifies the following top cloud risks:

1. Misconfigured Cloud Resources: 63% of cloud breaches are caused by misconfigured resources, emphasizing the need for automated monitoring and remediation.
2. Lack of Visibility and Monitoring: 51% of organizations lack real-time visibility and monitoring capabilities, making it challenging to detect and respond to threats in a timely manner.
3. Unprotected Data Repositories: 47% of organizations have unprotected data repositories, leaving sensitive data exposed to threats.
4. Insufficient Compliance and Governance: 44% of organizations lack robust compliance and governance frameworks, leading to security misconfigurations and data breaches.

Best Practices and Recommendations

The report provides several best practices and recommendations to mitigate cloud risks, including:

1. Implement Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Implement a CSPM solution to monitor and remediate cloud misconfigurations.
2. Use Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPPs): Implement a CWPP to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
3. Implement Robust Access Controls: Implement robust access controls, including multi-factor authentication, to prevent insider threats.
4. Monitor APIs and Data Repositories: Implement real-time monitoring and logging for APIs and data repositories to detect and respond to threats.
5. Implement Compliance and Governance Frameworks: Establish robust compliance and governance frameworks to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

The 2023 Cloud Risk Report from Crowdstrike highlights the importance of cloud security and the need for organizations to take a proactive approach to mitigate risks. By implementing best practices, such as Cloud Security Posture Management, Cloud Workload Protection, and robust access controls, organizations can strengthen their cloud security posture and reduce the risk of breaches.