Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/blog/2025/02/03/top-threat-9-lost-in-the-cloud-enhancing-visibility-and-observability
Source: CSA
Title: How Can Businesses Overcome Limited Cloud Visibility?
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Summary: This text addresses critical challenges in cloud security, focusing specifically on the threat of limited cloud visibility and observability. It highlights the risks associated with shadow IT and sanctioned app misuse while outlining the technical, operational, financial, and reputational impacts. The piece emphasizes proactive strategies for enhancing cloud visibility and implementing effective security measures, which are crucial for security professionals in navigating the complexities of cloud ecosystems.
Detailed Description: The text centers on the ninth top threat identified by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) in its ongoing series about cloud computing threats. Below are the key components discussed:
– **Limited Cloud Visibility**: This issue arises when organizations lack the ability to effectively monitor their cloud applications and services, potentially exposing them to significant risks. The text describes two primary challenges leading to this lack of visibility:
– **Un-sanctioned App Use (Shadow IT)**: Employees using cloud apps without IT approval can introduce vulnerabilities, particularly when sensitive data is handled.
– **Sanctioned App Misuse**: Organizations often struggle to monitor the functional use of approved applications, putting them at risk of insider threats and various cyber-attacks.
– **Consequences & Business Impact**:
– **Technical Impacts**: Increased vulnerability to attacks due to unmonitored risks, potential data loss from Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), and compromised data integrity.
– **Operational Impacts**: Business disruptions caused by data loss can hinder the ability to meet client obligations, affecting productivity and service availability.
– **Financial Impacts**: Service interruptions and legal repercussions from security regulation breaches can lead to significant financial loss, including restoration costs and customer dissatisfaction.
– **Reputational Impacts**: Data breaches can damage a company’s reputation, eroding customer trust and impacting long-term client relationships.
– **Mitigation Strategies**: To combat the challenges posed by limited visibility, the text offers a range of strategic recommendations:
– Implement a **top-down approach** to building cloud visibility, ensuring systematic integration of people, processes, and technology.
– Conduct **employee training** on cloud usage policies to promote compliance across the organization.
– Assess **non-approved services** through cloud architects or third-party risk teams to mitigate risks.
– Utilize **Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB)** and **Zero Trust Security (ZTS)** frameworks for comprehensive monitoring of cloud activities, detecting anomalies in user credentials.
– Deploy a **Web Application Firewall (WAF)** to protect against various types of attacks including DDoS and malware.
– Continuously **monitor key cloud applications** for access control and suspicious behaviors.
– Adopt a **Zero Trust model** to bolster security at every operational level.
The information provided is relevant for professionals involved in cloud security, offering insights into risk identification and effective mitigation strategies that address the evolving landscape of cloud threats.