A €100,000+ lesson: Cloud security breach

These real-world cases underscore the importance of proactive planning, regular monitoring, and tailored cloud solutions. While details are anonymized to protect client confidentiality, the lessons are universally applicable.

Lesson 1: The cost of insufficient access management

One company discovered the critical importance of secure access management the hard way. A compromised admin password led to unauthorized activity within their cloud environment. 

Key challenges

• Weak access controls left critical accounts exposed.
• Delayed detection allowed misuse to escalate.

How we helped: 

To prevent future incidents, we implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all administrative accounts, audited user permissions, and introduced automated alerts for suspicious activities. These measures significantly reduced the risk of account misuse and unauthorized access.

Takeaway: 

Regularly reviewing access management policies and implementing MFA are essential steps in safeguarding your cloud infrastructure.

Lesson 2: The hidden risks of phishing and data spoofing

Phishing remains one of the most prevalent threats to cloud environments. In one instance, a company’s email account was compromised, allowing attackers to send fraudulent communications. This led to financial and reputational damage before the issue was identified.

Key challenges

• Insufficient email security controls allowed attackers to impersonate internal communications.
• Employees were not adequately trained to recognize phishing attempts.

How we helped:

We introduced phishing-resistant authentication measures, including:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) that leverages physical security keys or biometrics to prevent account hijacking.
• Advanced email security tools, such as domain protection, anti-spoofing mechanisms, and phishing detection filters.
• Employee training to build awareness and improve response to suspicious communications.

Takeaway:

Implementing phishing-resistant authentication and proactive email security measures is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and minimizing the impact of phishing threats.

Lesson 3: Managing costs in the Cloud

Cloud environments can become financial liabilities if not properly managed. In one case, a client struggled with unexpected cost overruns due to unauthorized activities in their cloud environment. The incident highlighted the importance of monitoring and optimizing cloud usage.

Key challenges

• Limited visibility into cloud costs allowed irregular activities to go unnoticed.
• No systems were in place to detect unusual cost spikes.

How we helped: 

By implementing detailed cost tracking and reporting dashboards, we provided the client with real-time insights into their cloud usage. Automated alerts were set up to flag anomalies, enabling timely intervention and preventing financial losses.

Takeaway: 

Regular monitoring and reporting of cloud costs are essential for maintaining financial control and avoiding unexpected expenses.

Is your Cloud ready for the future?

As more businesses move to the cloud, the risks increase alongside the opportunities. With BE-terna’s Cloud Operations, you can be confident in your cloud security, efficiency, and scalability.
Ask yourself these questions:

• How does your current cloud infrastructure support your business objectives, and are there any pain points?
• Are you confident in your cloud security measures, or are vulnerabilities a concern?
• Do you have a plan for monitoring costs, ensuring compliance, and responding to threats?

Don’t wait for a breach to expose vulnerabilities. Contact BE-terna’s experts today to safeguard your cloud environment.