World Cloud Security Day

1,073,741,824. Seeing such a large number, one may be tempted to think that it is a country’s population. No, it is the quantum of the data on the cloud. The quantum of the data on the cloud is startling. It is more than 1 Exabyte or 1,073,741,824 Gigabytes. The way people work and use computers has shifted with the introduction of the cloud. Many things have become more accessible, including connecting with family and friends and collaborating at work. Unfortunately, access has also become available to attackers. World Cloud Security Day is on 3 April 2024. The challenge of cloud computing is data security and privacy. Gartner states that through 2025, 99% of all cloud security failures will come from human error. When technology progresses, its use becomes easier and more accessible to people. Greed and finding shortcuts to make money make people exploit the same advances. The way out is to be cautious. Being aware of the possibilities is the first step in preventing harmful consequences.

1,073,741,824

Seeing such a large number, one may be tempted to think that it is a country’s population. No, it is the quantum of the data on the cloud. It is more than 1 Exabyte or 1,073,741,824 Gigabytes. The total global data storage is estimated to exceed 200 zettabytes (200 X 1000 Exabytes), and around half will be stored in the cloud. 

Air India data breach highlights third-party risk.
CAT burglar strikes again: 190,000 applicants’ details leaked to the dark web.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) computers are attacked.

News like the above takes the front pages and causes people to worry and fear. The way people work and use computers has shifted with the introduction of the cloud. Many things have become more accessible, including connecting with family and friends and collaborating at work. Unfortunately, access has also become available to attackers. There is a need to consider newer possibilities of threats to the data. Cloud security is a way of protecting the infrastructure, applications, and data on the cloud.

World Cloud Security Day is on 3 April 2024, and its origin dates back to 2020. By then, the cloud has 60% of all corporate data. As cloud computing evolved, the need for robust security measures became increasingly apparent. The pandemic has forced the adoption of cloud computing, leading to a surge in cloud usage and highlighting the importance of cloud security. The day’s observation raises awareness about the importance of cloud security for individuals and organisations.

The quantum of the data on the cloud is startling. It is more than 1 Exabyte or 1,073,741,824 Gigabytes. Global data storage will exceed 200 zettabytes (200 X 1000 Exabytes), and around half will be stored in the cloud. 

Cloud computing has a rich history. The cloud computing application began in the 2000s, with Amazon Web Services in 2002 and the beta version of Google Docs happening in 2006. The challenge of cloud computing is data security and privacy. Gartner states that through 2025, 99% of all cloud security failures will come from human error. With people using personal devices to access the cloud, attacks like phishing also lead to malware infection or stolen credentials. The average data breach cost in the US is  $3.8 million.

Government platforms were the most targeted, followed by the finance, technology, public, and education industries. 79% of companies have experienced at least one cloud breach in a year, underscoring the urgency of new and robust cloud security measures. 92% of organisations already have some of their IT environment hosted in the cloud. Cloud security spending in 2024 is predicted to reach $7 billion. In 2024, AI-driven cloud management will become the norm.

Ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent, with a growing global cost expected to reach over $10 trillion. Public Administration and Healthcare face the highest financial loss due to cyber threats. IMF estimates the average annual losses to financial institutions from cyber-attacks to be more than a few hundred billion dollars.

India detected an average of 761 cyberattack attempts every minute this year. Telangana (15%) and Tamil Nadu (14%) were the most affected states. Surat, India’s diamond and textile hub, and the tech city of Bengaluru emerged as the top victims.

Threat actors continuously evolve tactics to take advantage of people using smartphones and tablets to connect to the cloud. Also, using the public internet to get onto the cloud increases the risks. Attackers started adopting newer methods to breach security by tailoring their social engineering campaigns using SMS text messages and social media apps.  

For individuals, it is ensuring their digital identity. For organisations, it is auditing the robustness of the organisational security.

When technology progresses, its use becomes easier and more accessible to people. Greed and finding shortcuts to make money make people exploit the same advances. The way out is to be cautious.

Being Aware of the Possibilities is the First Step
in Preventing Harmful Consequences.

Toons: Anusha
Logs: M. Sai Baba
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