In 2022, IT infrastructure consolidation and optimization have been a significant focus, with Cloud Computing solutions leading the charge in modernizing IT and facilitating rapid digital transformation. However, as enterprises increase their “Cloud Footprint,” the threat surface has also grown, particularly in public cloud platforms, which cybercriminals consider a valuable target.

A successful breach of a single public cloud provider’s security protocols could potentially expose the data and critical digital assets of numerous organizations. As a result, cloud infrastructures have experienced a surge in cyber-attacks, ranging from basic to highly sophisticated techniques.

Despite the robust cyber security measures and protocols of leading Cloud Service Providers (CSP), the threat to cloud infrastructures remains significant and constant. Cybercriminals are always searching for vulnerabilities in a company’s cyber security posture that they can exploit.

As we look ahead to 2023, navigating the challenges of Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) will be critical for businesses to maintain their cyber security posture.

In this post, we will explore effective ways and means to strengthen CSPM and enhance cloud infrastructure security.

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): what is it?

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) encompasses all the tools, protocols, and mechanisms employed by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and tenant enterprises to safeguard cloud infrastructures against cyber security incidents, such as data breaches. However, there are two other crucial components of CSPM that are equally essential.

The first is the ability of cyber security tools to identify any misconfigurations in the cloud infrastructure. Misconfigurations can occur due to human error or oversights, leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to cyber threats. Identifying and addressing these misconfigurations is critical to maintaining a robust and secure cloud infrastructure.

The second element is addressing regulatory compliance-related risks. Enterprises must adhere to strict regulatory standards, and any non-compliance can lead to legal and financial penalties. Therefore, CSPMs must include tools and protocols that can assess compliance and ensure that the cloud infrastructure complies with all relevant regulations.

In addition to preventing cyber security incidents, CSPMs must include tools for identifying and addressing misconfigurations and ensuring regulatory compliance. These elements are crucial for maintaining the integrity, security, and compliance of cloud infrastructures.

Shared Responsibility Model:

The concept of Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is built upon the shared responsibility model, which divides the security responsibilities between the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) and the deploying enterprise. While the CSP is responsible for securing the cloud infrastructure, the enterprise is responsible for managing data, policies, governance protocols, and user access rights.

However, many enterprises make the mistake of assuming that the CSP is solely responsible for cloud security. This misconception is one reason why cybercriminals have been increasingly targeting the enterprise side of the cloud infrastructure. Therefore, it is crucial for enterprises to prioritize their responsibilities and work collaboratively with the CSP to ensure a robust and secure cloud solution.

Aside from this, several other core elements contribute to a robust CSPM. These include continuous monitoring and assessment of the cloud infrastructure, identification and remediation of misconfigurations, regular backup and disaster recovery planning, and compliance with regulatory standards. Robust CSPM practices are essential for maintaining the integrity and security of cloud infrastructures and protecting against cyber threats.

Identifying and resolving risks:

An essential aspect of CSPM is to identify the sources of cyber security risks and data breaches that an enterprise may face. This information will vary depending on factors such as the industry, operations model, and organization size. Once the sources of these risks have been identified, it is easier to initiate the remediation process.

The remediation process involves two key elements that must be addressed equally to achieve a robust Cloud Security Posture. The first is prevention, which entails a combination of deploying the right set of tools and sensitizing and training employees. This approach will reduce the likelihood of a cyber security incident occurring in the first place.

The second equally important aspect of remediation is cyber security incident response. In the event of a cyber security incident, a well-defined, empowered, and competent cross-functional team should immediately spring into action to contain and resolve the issue. By having a robust incident response plan in place, the impact of a cyber security incident can be minimized, and recovery can be expedited.

Automated management of cloud security posture:

As cloud infrastructures continue to grow in size and complexity, it is becoming increasingly important to minimize the reliance on the human element in cloud security. This does not mean that the human element in Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) has become obsolete. Rather, automation is proving to be a more effective and efficient means of achieving a robust cloud security posture.

Cloud security automation tools are required to strike a balance between technologies like Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to effectively identify any anomalies observed across the cloud infrastructure or the enterprise network. Automating the security aspect of cloud environments can help reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of human error that often leads to avoidable security misconfigurations.

By implementing automation, CSPs and enterprise cloud users can benefit from real-time threat detection and mitigation, as well as automatic incident response. This can help minimize the impact of potential cyber-attacks and enhance the overall security of the cloud infrastructure. Additionally, automation can assist in regulatory compliance efforts by providing comprehensive and accurate reports on cloud security posture.

Conclusion:

As Cloud Computing continues to dominate the modern IT landscape, Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) has emerged as a critical element of cybersecurity. Enterprises must recognize the significance of CSPM and allocate sufficient time and resources towards it to prevent the detrimental consequences of cybersecurity breaches in the mid to long term. With cloud infrastructures becoming increasingly complex and cybercriminals relentlessly targeting them, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach towards CSPM by identifying sources of security risks, investing in robust security tools and automation, conducting regular employee training, and establishing well-defined incident response protocols. By taking these measures, organizations can effectively mitigate cybersecurity threats and ensure a secure and reliable cloud environment. A CSPM tool such as Sysdig Secure can help enhance cloud security by detecting misconfigurations and providing ongoing monitoring for any suspicious activity.

Orca is a unified Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solution that detects misconfigurations, policy breaches, and compliance risks in cloud environments, including cloud-native services. With a single, agentless platform, Orca mitigates risks across all layers of your cloud infrastructure, from development to production. It also provides continuous monitoring for active cloud attacks.

Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is a distinctive CSPM solution that simplifies securing multicloud environments and streamlines compliance