7 Types of Cyber-attacks to Watch Out for in 2023

The world is ever-evolving, and so is the cyber threat landscape. As technology advances, so do the methods of cybercriminals. As we enter the new year, it’s crucial to plan for it, especially for your resilience in any cyber security attacks. The importance of cyber security has never been greater, and the frequency of assaults and breaches has recently increased. This blog post will look at the 7 types of cyber-attacks to watch out for in 2023.

Introduction to Cybersecurity

As we move closer to the future, the need for cybersecurity becomes ever more critical. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, systems, and programs from digital attacks. It is also the practice of ensuring data privacy and integrity. Cybersecurity is essential for businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals.

Types of Cyber-attacks

There are many different types of cyber-attacks. These include phishing attacks, malware attacks, man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, denial of service (DoS) attacks, SQL injection attacks, password attacks, and insider threats.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyber-attacks. In a phishing attack, the attacker sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a company or a bank. The email contains a link that, when clicked, takes the user to a malicious website. The website then asks the user to enter personal information, such as username and password.

It is important to be aware of phishing attacks and to be wary of any suspicious emails. It is also essential to ensure that the website being visited is secure and is from a legitimate source.

2. Malware Attacks

Malware is short for malicious software. It is malicious code or software designed to damage or disrupt systems and networks. Malware can be viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and adware.

Malware can be spread through emails, downloads, and websites. One has to be aware of the signs of malware attacks, such as slow computer performance, pop-up ads, and sudden changes in settings. It is also vital to update your anti-virus software regularly and to use a reputable anti-virus program.

3. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are a type of cyber-attack in which the attacker intercepts communication between two parties. The attacker can eavesdrop on the communication and, in some cases, even alter the communication.

MITM attacks can be carried out on various networks and systems, including wireless networks, VoIP networks, and email systems. It becomes necessary to use secure networks and encryption when sending sensitive data.

4. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

A Denial-of-Service Attack poses a severe risk to businesses. Attackers target systems, servers, or networks, in this case, and bombard them with traffic to drain their bandwidth and resources. The attacker attempts to make a server or network resource unavailable. The attacker does this by flooding the server or network with requests, causing the system to become overwhelmed and unable to respond to legitimate requests.

DoS attacks can be prevented by using secure networks, limiting access to servers and networks, and using firewalls. It is also essential to be aware of the signs of DoS attacks and to respond quickly if any suspicious activity is detected.

5. SQL Injection Attacks

In an SQL injection attack, the attacker attempts to gain access to a database by injecting malicious code into a vulnerable input field. The malicious code is then executed, allowing the attacker to access the database.

SQL injection attacks can be prevented using secure coding practices, properly validating user input, and secure authentication methods. It is also important to regularly update the database and to use intrusion detection systems.

6. Password Attacks

Password attacks are a type of attack in which the attacker attempts to gain access to a system or network by guessing or cracking a user’s password. To decipher your password, the attacker can use a computer program or password-cracking tools like Aircrack, Cain, Abel, John the Ripper, Hashcat, etc.

It is crucial to use strong passwords and to change them regularly. It is also essential to enable two-factor authentication and to use a password manager to store passwords securely.

7. Insider Threat

An insider threat, as the name implies, involves an insider rather than a third party. In this situation, it can be someone who works for the company and is familiar with its operations. The potential damage from insider threats is enormous.

Small organizations are particularly vulnerable to insider threats because their employees frequently have access to sensitive data. There are several causes for this kind of attack, including avarice, malice, and even negligence. Insider threats are tricky because they are difficult to predict.

Cybersecurity Statistics and Trends

In 2020, the global cybersecurity market was valued at over $170 billion, expected to grow in the coming years. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cybersecurity market will be worth over $300 billion by 2024.

In addition to the growth in the cybersecurity market, there has been an increase in cyber-attacks. In 2022, the number of cyber-attacks increased by over 40% compared to 2021.

Cybersecurity Solutions

To protect against cyber-attacks, it is crucial to have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place. This strategy should include employee training, secure networks, regular security updates, and intrusion detection systems.

Partnering with a reliable cybersecurity provider, such as Protected Harbor, is also important. Protected Harbor provides a range of cybersecurity services, including security assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response.

Conclusion

You have learned everything there is to know about cyberattacks from this essay on their several types. You studied the definition of a cyber-attack, the top 7 types, and the techniques to avoid one. It is wise to be knowledgeable about cyberattacks and network security, given the rise in cybercrimes today. Watch this video about cybersecurity threats to learn more about this subject.

If you’re looking for a reliable cybersecurity partner, look no further than Protected Harbor. With their range of cybersecurity services, from penetration testing, cloud security, ransomware protection, and email filtering to threat detection and response, we’ve you covered. Whether you’re an SMB or a large enterprise, we have a solution that works for you.

Have you got any inquiries for us about “Cyber Attacks”? Please get in touch with our security specialist. You’ll hear from one of our experts as soon as they can!

Unlock Your Business Potential with Managed IT Services

Managed IT services can be a game changer for businesses of all sizes. Whether a one-person shop or a large enterprise, these can provide you with the resources, tools, and information technology expertise you need to succeed.

For most businesses, they were unheard of several years back. That’s because these services were offered only by the big companies. Fast forward to today, and managed services are now available to everyone thanks to a slew of cloud-based solutions.

The expected value of the global IT Managed Services market is US$ 244670 million in 2022, and it is anticipated to reach US$ 399170 million by 2028, with a CAGR of 8.5% throughout the analysis period.

These cloud platforms offer potent tools which allow even the smallest businesses to get an edge over their competitors. This has led to almost every business owner/CEO, including Managed IT Services in their budgets.

You can handle your IT problems as a business owner. This is true for some businesses, but most large complex companies will be well served by outsourcing their IT service model to a managed service provider (MSP).

This article goes over why managed services for businesses are essential.

What is Managed IT Service?

Managed IT services are the ultimate in business technology support. Whether it’s security, disaster recovery, or network design, managed service providers eliminate the headache of keeping your business up and running.

Outsourcing, managed services, security services, data management, and cloud computing comprise the larger market for IT services. End-user spending on cloud computing is expected to reach nearly 500 billion dollars in the United States in 2022.

Managed service offering is a proactive solution that provides you with around-the-clock hardware and software support for your computer network. This means you’ll never have to worry about being left in the dark when something goes wrong — because a professional team of experts is all taken care of

These services typically include a variety of services, including:

• Help desk support and remote monitoring and management.
• Security monitoring and threat protection.
• Software and hardware installation, configuration, and deployment.
• Telecom expense management services.

Managed service provider msp companies provide their clients with 24/7 monitoring, assistance in identifying and resolving issues before they become problems, backup and recovery plans, and focus on improving other services designed to keep your business running smoothly.

Different Types of Managed IT Services

There are many types of managed IT services available, but here are some of the most common:

Managed Networks and Infrastructure – This service includes monitoring and managing remote servers, desktops, and laptops. These services also include application management support and help desk support.

Managed Security –Managed Security refers to outsourcing security operations and management to a third-party service provider. MSSPs offer a range of security services, including threat detection and response, vulnerability assessments, security monitoring, and incident management. They use specialized security software and tools to monitor and manage the client’s security environment, identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities, and respond to security incidents in real-time.

Managed Support Services – Managed support services provide all the technical expertise needed to keep your systems running smoothly without downtime due to technical issues or problems with software applications such as Microsoft Office 365 Exchange Online and Microsoft Azure Active Directory Cloud Services.

Managed Wireless and Mobile Computing – This type of IT service involves the management of wireless networks, mobile devices, and applications. With these services, companies can have more control over the performance of their employees’ mobile devices by ensuring they are secure and up-to-date with the latest operating systems.

Managed Communication Services – Managed communication services are designed to help companies improve productivity by ensuring that all employees can communicate effectively with one another through email and instant messaging. These services also include other forms of communication, such as video conferencing, web conferencing, and more.

Software as a Service (SaaS) –  Software as a service provides clients with access to applications hosted on the cloud, typically through the internet. This means that users do not have to install or maintain any software on their systems. 

What are the Benefits of Using Managed IT Services?

Managed services are a great way to maintain your IT infrastructure’s security, performance, and reliability. This is especially true if you’re a small business or a startup company with no budget for full-time IT staff.

Of the 451 large businesses surveyed by 451 Research, 45% planned to collaborate with a MSP, and 42% prepared to deploy additional security software. The industry is changing as a result. Managing service contracts have replaced the old break-fix model in 59% of IT services.

Managed IT providers offer several benefits in their service level agreement sla over doing things yourself:

Contractual Terms: A managed service provider often has a contract in place with their clients that outlines the responsibilities of both parties. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding what they’re expected to do, when they’re expected to do it and how much they’ll be paid for it.

Reliability: An MSP will work hard to avoid any potential issues — from hardware failure to cybersecurity threats — so that you don’t have to worry about them taking down your entire system or causing data loss.

Cost Savings: It can help you save money by reducing spending on technology. Your service provider can take care of all your IT needs, from network management to infrastructure upgrades, so you only pay for what you use. This can save you more of your total cost of ownership.

Reduce IT Spending: These providers offer fixed monthly rates that allow you to budget for your entire year’s expenses upfront and avoid unexpected costs that could hurt your bottom line.

Dependable Service: Instead of wasting time troubleshooting problems yourself or waiting on hold with technical support, let us handle it! Our team will monitor your network 24/7, so you have peace of mind knowing there’s always someone available to help when something goes wrong.

Managed IT Services Provider Inclusion

To qualify for inclusion in the Managed IT support services category, a service provider must offer their clients a range of IT services and support:

• Provide Constant Monitoring of IT-Related Functions: This includes monitoring of the server, applications, and network, as well as security systems.
• Provide On-Demand Support: A MSP should have a team of technical experts that can be deployed whenever an issue arises. This could include a help desk, online chat, or phone support.
• Provide IT Consulting: A good MSP offers advice and guidance on improving your business’s technology infrastructure and processes.

Final Words

The benefits of managed services are clear. By outsourcing their IT management services and maintenance, businesses can free up their internal IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives and benefit from improved security, compliance, cost savings, and customer service. However, finding the right managed IT services provider for your business is essential. Be sure to look for a provider that has experience working with companies of your size and industry, is reliable and has a good reputation, and offers competitive prices.

If you’re looking for a managed services provider in Rockland County NY or Hudson Valley, Protected Harbor can help. Protected Harbor is one of the top Managed IT Services providers in the US and offered a range of services to meet your business’s IT needs.

With digital and technological techniques that support your company’s objectives, IT specialists at Protected Harbor will assist in transforming your enterprise. Reduce stressful day-to-day IT operations, minimize costly downtime, and improve operational maturity. Gain access to a whole team of IT professionals to help you manage the newest technology and a wealth of knowledge that will accelerate your growth, boost your profitability, and improve your business.

Get a free IT Audit today and unlock your business potential with Protected Harbor.

Data Breach at LastPass, How Safe is Your Information?

On December 22^nd, 2022, while millions of people were preparing to celebrate and ring in the new year, cybercriminals were hard at work laying plans to breach the popular password manager, LastPass’s cloud server leaving all of their users exposed.

Due to a prior breach back in August of 2022, LastPass first sent word to its users about a limited security incident within their development environment. At first, it seemed as though there wasn’t too much cause for concern as the hackers had compromised a single developer account and “took portions of source code and some proprietary LastPass technical information.”

However, this past month, LastPass learned that though no customer data was accessed in the prior incident, there were certain source codes and technical information that was taken and used to dupe a LastPass employee into providing the hacker with credentials and keys to access and decrypt particular storage spaces within their cloud. LastPass’s CEO Karim Toubba has done his best to assure users that so long as they have followed their password guidelines, as restated in their statement above, they should be safe. But how safe is their customers’ information completely?

Let’s break it down.

What is LastPass?

For those who don’t know, LastPass is a popular password management software that allows users to store all of their important data, specifically, passwords. Whether it’s an individual’s banking info, logins to a frequented website, or even saved credit cards, insurance cards, memberships, etc. LastPass secures all of it for you, keeping it safe within their cloud software…at least it did, at one point.

How Safe is My Information Now?

The truth is, we can’t speak on behalf of LastPass, but it’s important to note that there are never any sure-fire ways to keep your most important data safe from the ever-advancing cyber-criminals. There are only so many measures companies can take themselves in order to promise your security. Now, this isn’t to say that password management software’s such as LastPass can’t ever be trusted. For example, LastPass went so far as to instill quite a few security measures including their zero-knowledge policy, but it’s important to take the extra precautions yourself to ensure your own safety.

Aside from following the guidelines set forth for password protection from LastPass or any other website, we recommend for individuals to do the following:

• Instill 2-Factor Authorization (2-FA): We understand the ease of being able to just click sign in/login on a screen and having the website right at our fingertips. However, not instilling a 2-FA can cause you more harm than good in the long run. With 2-FA there are many different versions websites tend to use in order to keep your data safe whether that’s by sending a unique code to your phone or email, asking you security questions, and so on. We recommend whenever a user is signing up for any website to always enable 2FA for that extra boost of security.
• Change Your Passwords Often: Let’s be honest, we all have that one favorite password that we’ve been using for years on multiple sites because it’s the easiest thing to remember. That one password however can result in our immediate downfall if it’s exposed in a breach. We recommend updating your passwords and following the specifications provided by the websites you are signing up for to prevent any potential exposure.
• Store Your Passwords on Your Own Cloud: Just because LastPass experienced a data breach through their cloud doesn’t mean that all cloud servers can’t be trusted. The safest cloud option that you have available to you, is your own. Whether your passwords are stored on your own personal device in a folder, on your phone, or on your iCloud/Google Cloud, you are the gatekeeper of your passwords as you set the security measures.
• Don’t Login on Public Computers or Servers: Though this seems obvious, we have to reiterate the importance of staying off of your most important websites when you are out in public. You never know who is around and who is waiting for you to login in order for them to gain access to your most personal files. Always login on a private, personal computer or a private network.

Final Words

Data breaches at this stage in the game of today’s ever-evolving world are inevitable. A security breach on a source like LastPass was something that was unfortunately bound to happen as every single person, including hackers, has their one lucky day. The only thing that internet users can do in order to prevent their information from being spread is to take their own private security measures.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an average consumer or a company using password managers like LastPass; you need to be sure your data is always safe and take the proper security precautions.

Nervous about how secure your company’s files are after reading about this breach? Contact us today for a Free IT Audit and put your fears at ease.

Deploying Servers in a Virtualized Environment

The term “virtualization” can seem a little perplexing. It’s something that the business world is going crazy over, but something you’ve never entirely understood.

Currently valued at between 40 and 60 billion dollars, the worldwide virtualization software market is anticipated to reach at least 120 billion dollars over the coming years. ~Statista

Virtualization is a technology that may be used for virtually all types of IT infrastructure, including servers, PCs, networks, storage, data, applications, data centers, CPUs, and GPUs. Virtualization is thus a crucial component of cloud computing.

Whether you’re deploying new servers or additional instances, it’s a good idea to know how to do it right. In the past, deploying servers required having three separate tools: one for deploying the operating system, one for installing the database, and another for installing all the other services. With virtualization, all those tasks are combined into one or two tools. The result is a streamlined process that is both quicker and easier.

What is Virtualization in a Cloud Environment?

Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of an existing system. This virtual copy can be executed as an independent machine or performed on the current hardware.

Cloud computing is built on top of virtualization technology and has become one of the most popular trends in IT over the last decade.

Virtualization allows you to deploy multiple instances of an application or operating system in a single physical server. This means we can use fewer physical servers while still serving more customers, reducing our hardware costs, power consumption, and cooling needs. In addition, it also allows us to easily manage our computing resources by allowing us to move them between servers as needed without disrupting services for clients or internal users.

Benefits of Deploying Servers in a Virtualized Environment

The benefits of deploying servers in a virtualized environment are substantial. For example, virtualization companies can save money by consolidating their servers and reducing hardware costs. They can also benefit from more flexible hardware that allows them to deploy and remove servers as needed quickly.

In 2020, it was predicted that the virtualization software market would be worth $38.7 billion.

It is projected to reach $149.4 billion by the conclusion of the analysis period, which runs from 2020 to 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.4%.

The benefits of Deploying Servers in a Virtualized Environment include the following:

Protection from Failure and Disaster

When you have your data stored on physical servers, one failure can cause all your data to be lost or inaccessible. By using virtualization technology, you can create multiple copies of your server and store them in different locations. If one location fails, you still have access to your data through another location. This is especially useful if you have important data that must be kept safe.

Lower Costs

Virtualized servers can reduce your costs because they use fewer physical servers, which means fewer servers to purchase and maintain. Additionally, the lower price of virtualization software can offset these savings. Still, even if you have to pay more upfront, it will quickly pay itself over time as your IT environment becomes more efficient and stable.

Reduced IT Footprint

Virtualized environments require less space than traditional physical environments because they don’t need as many racks or cabinets. This can significantly reduce the space required to support your users and data centers. It also makes it easier to scale up or down as needed without spending money on additional hardware or software licenses.

Risk-Free Testing

Virtualization allows you to test new hardware, operating systems, and applications without risk affecting your production environment. This is especially important when you’re adopting new technology. Virtualization allows you to test the waters before committing. In addition, it makes it easier to move between different hardware vendors and operating systems without significant changes to management processes.

Security

Data security is another area where virtualization technology excels. With physical servers, there are only so many ways to protect them from hackers looking to steal sensitive information. With virtual servers, however, each instance can be covered with its firewalls and other security measures, making it much more difficult for hackers to access sensitive data stored within these instances.

Ease of Data Transfer

A cloud environment consists of multiple data centers connected via high-speed networks. The data center where your virtual machine resides can be anywhere in the world as long as it is connected to the internet. You can quickly move your virtual machine from one cloud data center to another without having to move it yourself physically.

Simplified Data Center Management

Virtualized servers make it easy for you to manage your data center. You don’t need to worry about managing individual servers or installing updates because everything is managed at the hypervisor level. This also means that you don’t need to hire specialized IT staff members with expertise in managing servers and networking equipment — all you need is someone who can manage virtual machines using a console or command line interface (CLI).

Common Challenges of Deploying Servers in Virtualized Environment

Organizations are adopting virtualization to reduce costs and improve agility. However, there are many challenges associated with virtualization that can impact the success of your virtual environment.

Here are some common challenges organizations face when deploying servers in a virtualized environment:

Resource distribution: It is challenging to plan for resource distribution in a virtualized environment because of its dynamic nature. For example, if you have 100 VMs on a physical host, it is difficult to predict which VMs will run at any given time and how much CPU or memory they need. This makes it challenging to plan for resource distribution upfront.

VM Sprawl – If not appropriately managed, VM sprawl can lead to increased costs and security risks due to raised attack surfaces on the network. Organizations must implement policies that allow them to manage VM sprawl before it becomes unmanageable.

Overrun storage network – With flexible deployment options like VMware DRS and vMotion, organizations can quickly move VMs around physical hosts without worrying about breaking applications. However, this can also lead to problems when multiple VMs try to push data through the same storage network simultaneously, as there may need to be more bandwidth available for all of them.

Final Words

Virtualized environments are becoming incredibly popular, both among hosting providers and customers. However, only some people are familiar with deploying servers in a virtualized environment.

Protected Harbor offers expert services for the cloud in a virtualized environment. We provide full support throughout the process so that you can ensure that all aspects of deployment are done professionally and efficiently. We will help you to set up virtual machines, migrate your data, and set up security. We will also assist you with ongoing management and troubleshooting of any issues with your virtual environment.

We also offer various services like data backup, disaster recovery, and network monitoring. Pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for all your technology needs, whether hardware or software. With our team of experts on board, we can easily tackle any of your technology issues. Whether you are looking for a new data center or want to migrate your system to the cloud, we are here to help.

We want to be your go-to resource for all things cloud, so please do not hesitate to ask questions and receive expert advice to help you make the most of this valuable technology. Get a free cloud consultation today.

Data as a Service – Everything You Need to Know

As the volume of data that businesses encounter increases, so does the necessity for efficient data governance. For data management, many enterprises are turning to cloud service providers. In this environment, Data as a Service, also known as DaaS, is becoming an indispensable instrument for data integration, data storage, and data analytics management.

Data as a Service is the latest buzzword, promising to deliver ready-made data sets to organizations looking for ready-to-use business systems.

While it has been around for a few years now, it has recently reached a tipping point with far more high-profile services becoming available. It’s tempting for companies to just sign up for DaaS, ditch their data team, and never look back.

What is Data as a Service?

Data as a Service is a cloud-based platform that provides companies with the necessary tools to manage their data. It’s a subscription-based model that allows users to access unlimited resources at an affordable cost.

The global market for Data as a Service is anticipated to reach a revenue of 10.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, representing a steady increase over the following years. DaaS uses cloud computing technologies to provide data-related services such as storage, integration, and processing. ~Statisita

There are two types of desktops available in DaaS:

• Non-persistent desktops are temporary, and you can delete them at any time. They will also automatically be deleted when the lease period expires, usually around 15 minutes.
• Persistent desktops are always available and cannot be deleted by users. You can only delete a persistent desktop if it has been idle for more than 24 hours or if it has become inactive, for example, during a reboot.

Use Cases for Data as a Service

Data as a Service is a niche solution offering the ability to analyze data without worrying about the infrastructure. It can be used for many different purposes, including:

• Benchmarking – comparing your company to others within the same industry or across different industries.
• Business intelligence – using data to make better business decisions, including predictive analytics and reporting.
• Data marketplaces – buying and selling data, such as government datasets, corporate databases, and social media streams.

What are the Benefits of Data as a Service?

Data as a Service can help your business by providing a wide range of benefits, including:

Improved Accessibility

The first benefit that DaaS offers is improved accessibility. This means that users can access their data anywhere, regardless of location or device type.

Improved Scalability and Security Posture

One of the most significant advantages is its scalability. You only pay for what you use, whether it’s storage space or processing power, so there’s no need to buy extra servers or upgrade equipment every time your business grows (or shrinks). This helps to keep costs down while ensuring that your IT infrastructure remains secure and reliable.

Lower Operating Costs

Another essential benefit is lower operating costs. This is because you don’t need to worry about maintaining your own data center or ensuring its security and compliance with regulations. Instead, you can focus on your core activities while IT experts handle all the other tasks related to managing your virtual desktops and applications.

Increased Agility

Cloud-based data access provides an affordable option for businesses that want to take advantage of new technologies without investing in hardware or software. This allows them to quickly adapt to changes in their business environment and respond more rapidly to market demands.

Improved Business Intelligence

Data is the foundation of a successful business, but accessing it can be challenging when multiple applications are involved. Cloud-based DaaS integrates your company’s enterprise applications into one seamless interface, allowing users to view all relevant information from one place. This enables faster decision-making across multiple departments and improves operational efficiencies by eliminating duplicate workflows and manual processes.

Higher Workstation Lifetime Value

Another benefit is a higher Workstation Lifetime Value (WLV). WLV refers to how long a computer will last before it needs repairing or replacement; this value increases when fewer parts are needed because they have been replaced by software only or, in this case, virtual machines. The longer a computer lasts before needing repair or replacement, the more money an organization will save in the long run.

Final Words

In the end, businesses can benefit from Data as a Service in several ways. Query response times are sped up, which is a massive benefit for reporting on a business. There’s also more flexibility in how data sets can be structured and processed, making it easier for organizations to work toward their goals and move faster as they do so.

Some enterprises already use Data as a Service to improve data integration and governance, speed up the process of extracting insights from data, and do so more efficiently. These companies can then use better data governance and integrity to maintain a competitive advantage over rivals and expedite internal processes.

Protected Harbor makes it simple to use cloud-based data management solutions and on-premises infrastructure (if needed) to gather, regulate, transform, and distribute trusted data. Additionally, it provides the fastest, most secure, and most inexpensive data solutions with the most flexibility for creating a cloud-based data solution customized to your organization’s needs.  Consumers can choose which particular data products they employ or just embrace the complete platform all at once.

Try Protected Harbor today and use a dependable, secure cloud-based data solution that operates at your organization’s speed.

The Top 5 Risks of Cloud Migration

When it comes to cloud migration, there are plenty of risks involved. Every business considering migrating its IT infrastructure from a traditional data center to a public cloud must identify potential obstacles. After all, it’s not an easy transition, even with the many tools and resources available. A study by New Voice Media found that only 14 percent of companies that had begun transitioning to the cloud environment completed the process successfully. This means businesses have plenty of opportunities to get things right the first time. With so much information available about how and why companies should migrate their IT infrastructure to the cloud, it’s essential to understand which risks need addressing first.

When deciding about cloud migration services, one of the first things to remember is the risk involved with the process. There are many different types of risk, ranging from financial to technical. In this blog, we’ll learn the top 5 risks of cloud migration and how to mitigate them.

Cloud Migration is Only the Beginning

Cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, and other business elements from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. When companies approach the decision for cloud adoption, they often think it will solve all of their problems. The most significant risk is that businesses assume they can put off addressing the issues they face today by migrating tomorrow. In reality, migration is only the beginning of a new set of challenges that businesses must overcome to ensure their data remains safe and secure in the long term. If a company has a poor security system today, it will have a flawed one tomorrow, regardless of whether the data is hosted on-premises or in the cloud. This is why migration should be seen as a way to improve the business environment rather than just a quick fix to a single issue.

There are four main types of cloud migration: Lift and Shift, Replatforming, Refactoring, and Rearchitecting. These four types of cloud migration offer businesses different levels of transformation and complexity, providing options to choose the most suitable approach for their needs.

Why is Security in the Cloud a Challenge?

Migration to the cloud should be considered a long-term investment, not a short-term solution. However, the fact that most organizations are new to the cloud platform makes it difficult for them to know what to expect. Often, businesses don’t fully understand the risk associated with, and the potential impact cloud migration could have on their business. Of course, security is the biggest challenge of all. Public cloud data centers are designed for maximum scalability and flexibility, so companies don’t have the same level of control and visibility as they do with their own data centers. Even if a business uses a managed cloud provider or hybrid clouds, it still has to ensure it applies the proper security measures to keep its data safe.

To mitigate the risks associated with cloud migration, developing a comprehensive cloud migration plan and carefully choosing a reliable cloud migration service provider is crucial.

Data Theft Causes Unauthorized Access

Data theft is a common problem with traditional infrastructure. If a company fails to protect its application and data, unauthorized access is always a risk. Businesses are no longer in control when that data is migrated to the cloud. When migrating to the cloud, companies often store their data in a third-party facility or premises data center. This creates a single point of failure; hackers will have access to all the data if they breach security. This can include all types of information, including personally identifiable and sensitive client information. If this data is stolen and isn’t encrypted, it can be used for malicious purposes, including identity theft and financial fraud. The potential economic impact on a business can be huge.

How to avoid it?

• Encryption: Implement strong encryption methods for data in transit and at rest. This ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the stolen data remains unreadable.
• Access Control: Utilize robust access control mechanisms to limit and monitor who can access sensitive data. Implement multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.

Third-Party Product Comes with Security Risks

Third-party products are needed in every aspect of the business. However, they present certain security risks. For example, a third-party VPN device could be easy for hackers to compromise. When migrating to the cloud, it is crucial to understand the security level of third-party products and services. Businesses must make sure the service provider uses a secure VPN connection when outsourcing. They should also consider hiring a third-party provider with a secure data center.

How to avoid it?

• Vendor Assessment: Conduct thorough security assessments of third-party products and services before integrating them into your cloud environment. Ensure that vendors adhere to industry-standard security practices.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitor and update third-party products to address any vulnerabilities promptly.

Hackers Can Compromise Vulnerable VPN Devices

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, provide a secure connection that keeps your internet data hidden from hackers and enables companies to safeguard their private cloud resources. Many cloud apps require a VPN to transport data from on-premises systems to the cloud. Although they are often bidirectional, VPNs are set up to only work in one direction. This frequently exposes your business to a cloud service provider attack. When hackers break into a VPN device, they can access the data transmitted between a remote user and the data center. This can result in data loss, stolen information, and financial losses.

How to avoid it?

• VPN Security Best Practices: Implement best practices for VPN security, such as regular updates, strong encryption protocols, and multi-factor authentication.
• Network Segmentation: Employ network segmentation to isolate critical components and minimize the impact of a potential breach.

Accidental Exposure of User Credentials

Cybercriminals typically use cloud apps as a cover in their phishing assaults.  Due to the widespread usage of cloud-based communications and document-sharing services, employees are used to getting emails with links requesting them to validate their credentials before accessing a particular site or document.

Businesses often collect user credentials on the premises, such as passwords and usernames. However, when these credentials are migrated to the cloud, they are stored the same way as the other data. If hackers can access this information, it can result in a severe security breach. If the credentials are stored in plain text, hackers will be able to see them. This is one of the most common ways for hackers to access secure data. A fast and secure migration process involves encrypting the user credentials. However, some companies don’t make this a priority.

How to avoid it?

• Education and Training: Provide ongoing cybersecurity education and training for employees to recognize phishing attempts and avoid falling victim to credential theft.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA to add an extra layer of protection, even if user credentials are compromised.

Lack of Secure API

An API is essential for connecting different business components, including CRM, application migration, and billing systems. If a company doesn’t put security at the forefront when designing its API, it can pose a significant risk to the business. When creating an API or a cloud native app, it is crucial to understand the security requirements. This includes authentication, authorization, and session management. If a company overlooks any of these requirements, it can result in a severe breach of security. Hackers can access sensitive data in the cloud if the API is easy to compromise. The Facebook-Cambridge Analytical Scandal, which gave Cambridge Analytica access to user data, is the most common example of an insecure API.

How to avoid it?

• API Security Guidelines: Follow industry best practices and guidelines for designing secure APIs. This includes proper authentication, authorization, and encryption of data transmitted via APIs.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and assessments of APIs to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Conclusion

By incorporating these strategies into your cloud migration plan and partnering with a reliable cloud migration service provider, you can significantly reduce the cloud migration challenges. Regularly reassess and update your security measures to adapt to evolving threats and technology advancements.

Moving to the cloud platform can be your business’s best action. Before going further, be sure you have a clear cloud migration strategy and are aware of the dangers associated with potential incompatibilities with the current architecture, security threats, and reduced visibility and control. Additionally, make every effort to prevent data loss, incomplete data deletion, excessive spending, and additional latency. Cloud migration plan might benefit your company if you can avoid these problems.

If you are considering moving your business to the cloud, you might have concerns about data security and the potential for downtime that could impact your customers. With Protected Harbor, you can rest assured that your data will be secure and available whenever needed while we create a tailored migration plan. Our engineers are certified by every primary cloud provider, and our team members are dedicated to your business’s success. We are rated as one of the top cloud computing companies in the US by Goodfirms.

With our help, you can start enjoying the benefits of the cloud sooner rather than later. Contact our cloud migration expert today.