The concept of cloud computing refers to gaining access to computing and IT resources without physical limitations. These services include computing power, storage, databases, and data centers which the user does not own but pays to access and utilize.
Major providers of cloud services include Google, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle. The popularity of such computing technology also makes it a target for attackers to try and gain information and access illegally. Securing cloud technology has become a priority.
Cloud Penetration Testing
Cloud Penetration Testing involves a simulated attack on the cloud infrastructure to check for and find vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. A penetration tester tries to expose any vulnerabilities in the security or public access points of the cloud.
Much like normal penetration tests, the idea is to check the security posture of the system with its strengths and weaknesses. As many companies move from on-premise centers to a cloud environment, their lines of code and embedded systems need to undergo a security assessment to ensure the safety of data and user privacy.
This rapid increase has seen the demand for penetration testers to manage and perform cloud security checks. Cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure have come up with methods to deal with security vulnerabilities if and when they arise.
Benefits
The pen test aims to increase visibility of risk across the organization’s cloud platform. By identifying major and minor vulnerabilities, the cyber security team can correct and repair anything that can be used as a possible exploit point in the system.
Cloud penetration tests also provide a means to show how much could be accessed if the attack was real. In addition, they show the level to which exposure would have caused damage. By hosting public domains through APIs, cloud providers make data easier to access with fewer restrictions and less stringent security measures.
When a cloud penetration exercise is successful, the vulnerabilities found can also be remedied. The design and development team gets a clear view of where and how to best secure the system. This could be through more authentication methods, better-written lines of code, or user permissions and association with data packets.
Challenges
The agreement between the client and the cloud service provider also minimizes the scope to which the penetration test can cover. The cloud provider should be more involved in the cloud environment’s security than the client.
Clients can carry out pen testing exercises if they wish to secure their data in the cloud. This includes identity verification errors and minor security authentication errors, for compliance reasons.
Third-party management of data centers also means client data is at risk. Penetration testing could be hindered due to a lack of transparency.
Hiring a private cloud penetration tester will be a waste of time as the resources are managed by other parties. The assets are hidden from the client and their configurations and security are not easily accessible.
Segmenting multiple users in the cloud environment should also be taken into account before pen testing begins. If the cloud provider has not taken such measures into account, then the process is hindered without compliance standards such as PCI DSS.
Major cloud service providers conduct in-house audits of their cloud environments to ensure that they meet compliance standards. This secures the whole system and provides a secure computing environment.
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