In recent years, the use of cloud storage that is accessible to the public is now almost a second-nature thing. Services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and many others allow you to access and share your files practically any location. While they are convenient, however are, cloud storage on a public basis comes with a variety of risky dangers–especially when you don’t take care to ensure that your files are secured.
The blog will take you through the most significant security risks associated with making use of the cloud public look into the root of these issues, and provide the best practices to use today to protect your data.
1. The reason why the cloud in the public eye deserves an examination
Public cloud storage has many advantages: flexibility, scalability in accessing, collaboration via remote and lower costs for infrastructure. But these advantages have compromises. For instance:
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In a cloud-based public model, you share the infrastructure together with customers (“multi-tenant” environment) which can increase the risk of the possibility of cross-tenant vulnerability.
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Many companies believe that “if it’s stored in the cloud, it’s safe”–but the reality is that control over the security aspects is still at the service company that provides the service, but you are responsible for the security of your personal data.
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The threat surface increases The attack surface expands: networks, devices APIs, cloud services, and devices — all of them offer opportunities to compromise.
While cloud storage on the public internet isn’t necessarily insecure but it is a matter of design configuration, configuration, and constant surveillance. Let’s look at the specific threats.
2. Important Risks to be aware of Public Cloud Storage
Here are a few of the most prevalent and serious dangers when you store files in the cloud.
A. Data breaches and unauthorised access
One of the most serious dangers is that sensitive data are accessed by unauthorised individuals. It could be due to an error in configuration, identity compromise, or security vulnerabilities of providers or breaches, data breaches could expose private, commercial or even regulated information.
For example: insufficient secure encryption or shared tenant vulnerabilities could result in data leakage.
B. Misconfiguration and human error
The issue of misconfiguration is among the leading reasons for cloud-related incidents. Making storage buckets accessible to everyone with default credentials unchanged, API endpoints exposed–these are all risks that are real.
Additionally, human error, such as accidentally deleting files or granting too many access rights, could be equally damaging. TierPoint, LLC
C. Poor credentials, authentication, and identities compromise
If someone tries to gain access to your login credentials – or If the MFA (multi-factor authentication) isn’t properly enforced, they may gain access to your cloud-based files. This is especially risky if your cloud account is associated to a variety of cloud-based devices that are shared or synced.
D. Lack of encryption or data encryption at rest
If your files aren’t properly encrypted (both when they are in transit and in rest) the possibility of intercepting and accessing the files becomes much more simple. Even using encryption, if the cloud provider holds keys — or you don’t have control of your own keys, there is a risk.
E. Visibility is limited and control
When you transfer your data to a cloud-based service it is possible that you lose control or visibility, particularly when you are in a multi-tenant system. It is possible that you don’t know the exact location of your data and which devices have access to it, or who is sharing your infrastructure.
F. Data loss or service unavailability
There are times when the danger isn’t taking your files, but being denied access. If your provider is experiencing interruptions or the deletion (accidental or intentional) or the end or denial of services, you could discover that your files have disappeared or are not accessible.
G. Threats from insiders
“Insider” doesn’t always mean malicious. This could refer to former staff who have credentials still active, administrators who have misconfigured access, or other individuals who have access to your information.
H. Compliance, data sovereignty, ownership issues
If you are storing data on a cloud that is public it is important to consider who actually “owns” that data? Where is it physically stored (which country/jurisdiction)? Are you in compliance with legal requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)? Incorrect answers could lead to negative reputational and legal consequences.
3. What Threats are posed to us in real-world scenarios
Here are some illustrative examples of of issues you may encounter:
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A business uploads customer information into a cloud-based storage device, but fails to secure access controls for the bucket; it is later discovered to be accessible to the public.
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Employees leave, but their credentials for Cloud Storage were not deleted; a malicious person makes use of them to steal files.
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A developer connects an API to connect to cloud storage service but does not ensure input validation, which allows an attacker to gain access via the API endpoint to gain access.
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Cloud providers experience an outage and your data is not available and you do not have an alternate backup.
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A company believes that the provider has encrypted everything however, it discovers that they only encrypt “at at rest” instead of “in transit” and the provider also has the keys to encryption.
4. Tips for Best Practices: Protect Your Data in the Cloud.
Now that we’ve addressed the dangers, let’s move on what could do to reduce these risks. This applies regardless of whether you’re an individual user or are managing enterprise/business data.
1. Make sure to use strong authentication and identity controls
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Set up Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your cloud account.
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Use unique, strong passwords (or password managers).
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Use to the concept of least privilege and Only grant access to the people who require it.
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Make sure you regularly check who has access to what and how they can accomplish.
2 Encrypt your information — preferring client-side
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Make sure that your data is secured during the course of transport (e.g., TLS) as well as at rest.
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If possible, you should use the client side encryption (you encode your files prior to uploading, and keep the keys). This means that even your provider won’t be able to unlock your data.
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Securely manage your encryption keys. Don’t keep them in plain text or in the same system.
3. Manage configurations and access control with care
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Check regularly for unconfigured storage or buckets and public access. Also, look for unsecure API endpoints.
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Set strict access restrictions (who has the ability to edit, view and delete, or edit).
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Utilize monitoring and logging to monitor what’s happening in your cloud storage.
4. Save your files and prepare to make redundant
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Do not rely upon “the cloud” as your sole backup. Consider that failure is feasible.
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Make a backup of important data offline in an additional location.
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Check the plan for recovery: Can you easily restore your files in the event that there is a disaster?
5 | Classify and segment your data
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All data is not equally secure. Classify: public, internal, confidential, regulated.
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Keep highly sensitive or controlled files in a secure environment that has more secure controls (on-premises cloud, private cloud or vaults with encryption).
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Make use of other accounts, or use services to “public sharing” as opposed to “high-security documents”.
6 Monitor and audit regularly
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Allow audit logs to be reviewed and enable them (who was able to access what, when and how).
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Login failures for track, strange behavior with downloading files Share links are created.
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Alerts can be used to spot unusual events.
7 Stay up-to current on security patches and other services.
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If you utilize applications or integrations that work to cloud storage, be sure that they’re secure and up-to date.
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Be aware of the shared-responsibility model: while the provider may secure infrastructure, you still must secure your data and configurations.
8 Ownership, data location, and contract
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Learn the terms and conditions of your cloud service provider Who owns information, how it is stored, and what happens if the service is discontinued by the provider.
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Be aware of compliance and jurisdictions If your information is located in a different country, you could face additional regulation.
5. Making It Together: A Action Checklist
Here’s a short checklist that you can use to assess your cloud storage use:
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Is MFA enabled on your cloud storage account(s)?
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Are passwords unique and strong?
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Are files encrypted before upload (client‑side) or at least encrypted by provider?
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Do you know who has access to which files/folders?
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Are any storage buckets or folders publicly accessible?
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Do you have backups outside the primary cloud service?
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Do you have logs/audit trails enabled and regularly reviewed?
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Are you classifying files and storing sensitive ones under more secure conditions?
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Have you reviewed your provider contract regarding data ownership, location, exit strategy?
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Are your apps/integrations kept up to date and securely configured?
6. Why it’s Important: The consequences of doing it Wrong
If cloud storage services are not secured or properly used the consequences could be serious:
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Disclosure of personal or client information can cause reputational damage, penalties and legal responsibility.
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Deletion or loss of access of important files – disruption to business.
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Uncontrolled sharing of information – the leak of intellectual trade secrets, property or other information that is regulated.
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Infractions of compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, etc) which can lead to penalties from regulatory authorities.
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Inability or lock-in to your provider transfer if you have problems with your current cloud provider.
The ease of cloud storage in public cloud services shouldn’t lead you to the idea that “set up and leave it.”
7. Final Thoughts
Cloud storage for public use is an amazing tool, but with it comes with great responsibility. By recognizing the dangers (data breach, configuration issues or inadequate controls access issues, loss of data as well as compliance issues) and setting up intelligent security measures (strong authentication access control, encryption backups, audits as well as review of providers) it is possible to use cloud storage in a safe manner.
Be aware that the cloud provider does not taking care of everything. A shared accountability model requires that you have to actively protect your data, determine who has access to it, and plan for what happens if problems occur.
Make the effort now to assess the use of cloud storage and implement a few of these top methods. By doing this, you can keep your data from becoming a security risk, as well as be sure that you enjoy the benefits of cloud storage without the potential risks.
