ER Tech Pros uses Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our website, helping us improve your experience.
Data collected (e.g., pages visited, time spent, location) is anonymized and stored securely, with no personal information shared.
Learn more via Google’s Privacy Policy . To opt out, adjust your browser settings or use the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on .
By clicking “Accept,” you consent to this data collection.
“This affects me a lot—I am furiously sorry…I do not expect any customers to be left with us when this is over.”
These were the translated words of AzeroCloud and CloudNordic director Martin Haslund Johansson after the two Danish cloud hosting firms suffered a devastating cloud ransomware attack.
On August 18, 2023, cybercriminals shut down the firms’ systems, websites, and email. They also succeeded in encrypting the servers’ disks and two backup systems, crashing the machines and removing access to all company and client data.
The attack left hundreds of Danish companies unable to access everything they stored in their cloud servers—websites, email inboxes, customer systems, customer data, and more.
As heartbreaking as it is, this is a cautionary tale for every modern business. Highly scalable, cost-efficient, and convenient,
cloud environments have become a popular option for companies—and, unfortunately, a more enticing target for ransomware attacks.
Read More:
Cloud Security Tips That Could Save Your Business
Leading firewall provider SonicWall defines cloud ransomware attacks as events where cyber criminals access your accounts and network, install ransomware applications that encrypt cloud data, and demand a ransom to release the encryption. They also threaten to expose your data if you refuse to pay up.
There are many ways a cloud ransomware can infiltrate your network, but the three main types of attacks are:
According to data storage company Seagate, this attack originates from an infected end-user device, which transmits malware to a cloud-synced file-sharing service that users can access freely. The malware then encrypts the files stored on users' machines.
Network security solutions provider WatchGuard defines ransomcloud as attacks targeting the data, email communications, and applications organizations store in their cloud environments. Cybercriminals use phishing techniques to access a user’s cloud resources, encrypt the data or services, and hold them hostage until the victim pays the ransom.
Rather than targeting organizations that contract with cloud service providers (CSPs), this attack targets the CSPs themselves. It aims to infiltrate the CSP’s systems by breaching one of its employees’ accounts. Once the attackers are in, they encrypt data across the entire cloud infrastructure and hold on to it until the CSP pays the ransom.
As the AzeroCloud-CloudNordic incident proves, cloud vendor-targeted ransomware attacks are the most damaging because they can compromise an entire platform, cause widespread disruption, and affect thousands of users.
Read More:
Signs and Symptoms of a Ransomware Attack
According to The State of Ransomware 2023 report, 84% of private organizations hit with ransomware experienced a loss of business or revenue. Falling victim to a cyberattack can ruin everything you worked so hard to build, which is why keeping your systems secure is critical.
Here are three cloud security best practices according to the biggest cloud providers in the industry:
As your business moves workloads beyond your local (on-premises) network, you must manage and secure workload access across all the environments that host your resources and data. To do that, Google Cloud advises organizations to take the following steps:
Read More:
Trusting No One Can Be Your Best Cybersecurity Move
When it comes to cloud ransomware attacks, Microsoft Azure recommends implementing the following prioritization order:
While most organizations want to prevent all attacks first, Microsoft Azure explains that ransomware incidents are highly likely to lead to a worst-case scenario, so it’s critical to assume a breach and focus on reliably mitigating the damage it can cause. This is a key principle of Zero Trust Security, which Google Cloud highly recommends.
Prepare for the worst. Limit the resources attackers can access by establishing frameworks that contain and prevent their reach. Lastly, block attackers from entering your cloud environment by strengthening security controls and using the latest
intrusion detection and prevention systems.
Read More:
Is Your IT Team Helping You Prepare for Disaster Recovery?
One of the biggest challenges organizations face regarding cloud security is figuring out what they’re responsible for and what they’re not. Amazon Web Services (AWS) addresses this through its Shared Responsibility Model. The model clearly defines what AWS (the cloud provider) and the customer (your organization) are responsible for regarding security and compliance.
As a rule of thumb, AWS takes care of the security of the cloud, while the clients take care of the security in the cloud:
AWS is responsible for protecting the infrastructure that runs all of its services. They operate, manage, and control the components involved in the hardware, software, networking, and facilities that run AWS cloud services.
Your responsibility depends on the AWS services you use for your business and the configuration required to secure those services. Clients are responsible for managing the guest operating system, securing and encrypting their data, classifying their assets, configuring security controls, and setting the appropriate permissions.
The Shared Responsibility Model aims to promote accountability, ease the clients’ operational burden, and prevent cybersecurity vulnerabilities by helping organizations cover their bases.
If your business has data stored in a cloud-hosted environment, and you’re unsure what role your organization plays in cloud security and compliance, you may want to bring that matter up with your IT staff. For more network security advice, contact trusted cloud technology experts like
ER Tech Pros and get valuable, experience-backed insight.
The lack of cloud ransomware protection in growing businesses carries a steep price tag and may come at the expense of your entire business. Never let your guard down.
Equip your business with the latest cybersecurity technology, proven strategies, and highly trained security specialists. Not sure where to start?
ER Tech Pros has the tools, techniques, and teams that help fortify networks and safeguard business continuity.
Stay one step ahead of cyber threats with our comprehensive cloud ransomware protection service.
Search Articles
ER Tech Pros is a managed service provider (MSP) that specializes in catering to the IT needs of businesses across the globe. We have offices in Sacramento and the Greater Fresno area.
We use our cutting-edge technology, extensive experience, and global team of technology experts to ensure your IT network is in its most secure and optimal state.
We focus on your IT so you can focus on growing your company.
8795 Folsom Blvd, Ste 205
Sacramento, CA 95826
1501 Howard Rd, Ste 2
Madera, CA 93637
(855) ER-TECH-1 / (855) 378-3241
info@ertech.io
Resources
Search this Site
ERTech Pros | All Rights Reserved.