Organizations that use cloud computing and migrate their data and apps must also be able to handle security problems that arise in the cloud. The procedure for handling these problems in a setting very different from the on-premise, privately owned systems that many firms are used to managing is known as cloud incident response. Check out the cyber security course online to learn more.
How Cloud IR is Different from Traditional Incident Response
When compared to on-premise setups, incident response in the cloud operates significantly differently. The cloud itself differs from a conventional, on-premises data Centre, which explains why this is the case. The corporation just has remote access to systems and does not own the underlying infrastructure in the cloud.
This has a big effect on how cloud IR functions. Many of the same tools and procedures that are used in on-prem systems cannot be used by incident responders without access to the underlying infrastructure. The organization’s ability to investigate, contain, and resolve the situation is also impacted by remote access.
Benefits of Cloud IR
There are advantages to cloud IR that are worth noting, even though the distinctions between cloud IR and on-prem IR certainly present challenges.
- Simplified Data Management: Data management is made easier because of the cloud’s scalability and flexibility, which incident responders can leverage as well. In addition to using virtual machine (VM) snapshots to store system states for subsequent examination, incident responders can quickly create backups of crucial data for further inquiry.
- Rapid Response: Virtualization, including VMs and virtual networking, is essential to cloud systems. By rolling back a virtual computer to a known good state, incident responders can quickly and easily contain an event or remediate one.
Main Challenges of Cloud IR
Many of the same uses for which companies employ conventional, on-premise data center’s also apply to cloud settings. However, the cloud is substantially dissimilar from these settings, posing serious security difficulties.
The following are a few ways incident response varies in the cloud:
- Lack of Physical Access: To limit an incident or gather forensic data, incident responders frequently need physical access to systems. Customers will not have access to the actual servers housing their data and applications in cloud settings because the infrastructure is owned and controlled by the cloud provider.
- Rapid Development Lifecycles: The usage of DevOps development techniques, in which programmers release software changes quickly and frequently, is encouraged by cloud environments. As businesses spin up or decommission cloud infrastructure as their needs change, these modifications may cause changes to the infrastructure. Due to the infrastructure needed to investigate changing quickly and the possibility that virtual machines implicated in the incident have already been removed, these rapid changes make incident response more difficult.
- Lack of Control: Because businesses don’t own or control their cloud systems, incident responders might not be able to employ tried-and-true tools and methodologies to conduct investigations. Additionally, incidents may be brought on by cloud environments created by staff members with IT skills or oversight due to the shadow IT risk in cloud settings.
- Subject Matter Expertise: Companies may have trouble locating professionals who have the skills necessary to do IR in the cloud because cloud environments and cloud IR are very different from on-prem systems.
- Lack of visibility: Because cloud environments are frequently extremely complex and dynamic, maintaining complete visibility into all assets and activities can be difficult. It can be challenging to monitor and manage resources across several cloud providers and countries, which raises the possibility of overlooking security events.
- Data and evidence collection: The deployment of virtual machines makes data and evidence gathering simple. The disadvantages of it, on the other hand, are that logs may be/need to be located in a number of locations, which is difficult, particularly in multi-cloud systems.
Cloud IR Best Practices
IR in the cloud is distinct from conventional settings. The following are some recommended practices to improve the cloud incident response team’s (IRT) efficiency:
- Be proactive by conducting recurring security and risk audits in cloud settings. The IRT will be able to do this in order to find security holes and plug them before an attacker can take advantage of them.
- Utilise Automation: To find and fix security misconfigurations in cloud settings, use automated monitoring. As a result, problems can be found and fixed by the IRT before they turn into security incidents.
- Choose the Right Tools: The Cloud may not Support Conventional Incident Response Tools. Choose tools that will function in cloud environments and instruct IRT participants in their efficient use.
- Train on the Cloud: On-premise data centres are different from cloud environments. Teach IRT members how to successfully gather data and address events in cloud systems as well as these changes.
Conclusion
In comparison to other environments, incident response in the cloud can vary. Finding incident responders with the knowledge and experience required to investigate and address security breaches in the cloud is one of the most frequent problems that businesses have. You can check out the cyber security online training to learn more.
