Tips for agencies to improve their cloud security posture

The FITARA 17.0 Scorecard highlights a major gap in federal cybersecurity that has existed among government agencies for the better part of the past two decades. With scores falling this year, largely due to the introduction of a new cloud security category, it’s clear that opportunities exist to better protect and adopt cloud technologies.

As more organizations and federal agencies move to the cloud to improve productivity and maximize cost efficiency, bad actors are also seeing unequivocal success in targeting vulnerabilities in hybrid cloud environments. In the past year alone, nearly half of all cyberattacks originated in the cloud, underscoring the critical need for a reassessment of current security measures and the implementation of robust strategies to strengthen cloud operations.

As agencies grapple with the complexity of protecting their most essential digital assets in cloud environments, it is imperative to recognize and understand current cloud security deficiencies while establishing a plan for continuous improvement.

The evolving landscape of cloud security

Ninety-eight percent of all organizations currently store their most sensitive data in the cloud, making them lucrative targets for exploitation. The economic impact of these breaches, with $4.1 million lost last year alone, underscores the gravity of the situation.

Traditional security measures, which rely primarily on perimeter-based defenses, face significant challenges in effectively safeguarding cloud assets. The dynamic nature of cloud environments, along with the complexities of shared responsibility models, cloud misconfigurations, and an increasingly connected software supply chain, complicate security efforts significantly.

Misconfigurations, weak authentication mechanisms, and inadequate access controls emerge as common vulnerabilities, exposing agencies to high risks and unintended consequences. In addition, bad actors’ relentless pursuit of exploiting weaknesses underscores the urgent need for agencies to reassess their security posture and adopt proactive measures to mitigate emerging threats, strengthen operational efficiency, and build resilience in sensitive environments.

Key strategies to improve cloud security

Prioritize greater end-to-end visibility: The first step for agencies looking to build resiliency in the cloud is to first gain end-to-end visibility into hybrid IT environments. Agency leaders should focus on understanding and monitoring all layers of the cloud infrastructure, from the network and applications to user activity and data flows. Limited visibility can have significant consequences, such as blind spots in monitoring and detection capabilities. These blind spots not only prevent timely identification of security incidents, but also exacerbate risk exposure, leaving agencies vulnerable to prolonged attacks.

Cloud visibility isn’t just a convenience; it is a strategic necessity. In a world where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and regulatory scrutiny is increasing, organizations cannot afford blind spots in their cloud environments. By understanding the complexities of cloud environments, agencies can more proactively identify vulnerabilities, detect anomalous behavior, and respond to security incidents in a timely manner.

Continuous monitoring of workloads Once end-to-end visibility is established, agency leaders will have a much easier time monitoring and managing cloud activities and communications. By implementing robust monitoring mechanisms that provide real-time information about cloud activities, agencies will be able to continuously monitor workloads, detect threats early, and respond quickly when breaches or attacks occur to minimize potential damage.

Continuous monitoring offers many benefits, including early detection of threats and rapid response to incidents. Real-time alerts and notifications also play a crucial role in this regard, quickly notifying security teams of suspicious activity or anomalies. Leveraging monitoring tools and technologies designed specifically for cloud environments improves visibility, allowing agencies to gain insight into resource usage, network traffic, and user behavior.

Adopt a default assumption mentality In addition, it is imperative that federal agencies do so arecognize and operate under the mindset that security incidents are inevitable. Rather than focusing solely on prevention, this approach emphasizes proactive detection and response strategies.

Threat intelligence sharing and cross-sector collaboration play a crucial role in staying ahead of evolving threats, enabling agencies to anticipate and prepare for potential risks and strengthen their defenses accordingly.

An effective incident response plan is also essential to effectively manage security incidents, once they occur. This plan should clearly define roles and responsibilities, establish communication protocols and define escalation procedures. By preparing for various scenarios in advance, agencies can minimize the impact of security incidents and mitigate potential damage.

Adopt containment strategies to limit the inevitable Finally, proactively preparing for and mitigating the impact of security incidents helps safeguard critical assets and preserve business continuity. This proactive approach to security enables agencies to remain resilient in the face of evolving threats, preventing breaches from becoming cyber disasters and ensuring the integrity of their cloud environments.

Segmentation using zero-trust principles provides an effective approach to containment, limiting lateral movement and preventing the spread of threats in the IT environment. Fine-grained access controls further enhance security by restricting access to sensitive resources and data based on the principle of least privilege.

Building a more resilient future

With the increasing adoption of new technologies by bad actors, it is critical that agencies prioritize security measures to safeguard sensitive data and protect networks in mission-critical environments. Agencies must take proactive approaches to cloud security, including increasing visibility, enabling continuous monitoring, and applying a breach assumption mindset to better detect and respond to threats more effectively, allowing them to also minimize the risk of data breaches and disruptions.

Improving cloud security requires a concerted effort by federal agencies, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures, continuous improvement, and innovation. And while cloud security may not yet be up to par among federal agencies, I’m hopeful that agencies will reflect on the latest scores and prioritize more effective cloud security strategies in the coming year.

Gary Barlet is Illumino’s Chief Federal Technology Officer.

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