• Securing cloud environments can be complex. New feature sets, new tools and a different operating model require a different security skill set that many organizations did not account for. This can be difficult to source after the fact.
• Regulatory compliance. Old tools and techniques for proving compliance are no longer applicable and visibility and reporting were not as simple as promised.
• Cost management. Cloud's subscription and consumption-based billing model is difficult to predict, and many organizations overestimated cost savings without enough data to calculate future cloud costs.

It's fair to say that many organizations are pausing their digital migration efforts as they attempt to address these difficult challenges. This is almost always true in organizations in multi-cloud environments where these challenges become multiplied 2 or 3 times depending on the number or public cloud providers within the organization.

Organizations are hungry for some form of expert advice and automation to solve these difficult problems.

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is a fast-growing class of security tools that provide the necessary capabilities to give you visibility into the security posture of your multi-cloud environments. By implementing CSPM, you can proactively identify and remediate security vulnerabilities, enforce consistent security policies, and streamline security management across diverse cloud platforms.

Identity and Access Management (IAM) by contrast, is a security domain that has been around since the earliest days of computing. IAM controls are responsible for granting the right people access to the right resources at the right time for the right reasons. This includes everything from authentication ("you are who you say you are"), authorization ("restricting you to the resources you need"), or identity governance ("proving compliance and good account lifecycle management"). While not enough on its own, IAM has evolved to be the single most important aspect of cloud security.

"There are only two different types of companies in the world: those that have been breached and know it and those that have been breached and don't know it." ― Ted Schlein

The Cost of Cloud Misconfigurations: Why CSPM Matters

The impact of cloud misconfigurations can be devastating. They can lead to serious consequences for organizations, both in terms of financial loss and reputational damage. Quantifying the potential financial impact of these risks can be challenging, but it is crucial for IT security teams and stakeholders to understand its true cost.

Cloud misconfigurations can:

• Create vulnerabilities that lead to a compromised cloud environment and eventually to data breaches. Breaches have severe repercussions for both the organization and its customers, including financial losses, reputational damage, and legal ramifications.
• Lead to compliance violations, fines, and legal penalties. Formally falling out of certification with your organization's hard earned compliance standards can impact your organization's business goals, raise your Cyber insurance premiums and erode customer trust.
• Cause operational disruptions, impacting the availability of the organization to operate critical systems and services, leading to downtime and productivity losses.

Cause unnecessary service consumption and as a result, unnecessary billing.

CSPM strengthens cloud security and operations through continuous monitoring, automated remediation, and compliance management capabilities so you can detect and address misconfigurations before they escalate into costly problems.

Synergized Security with IAM and CSPM

The true power in securing your cloud environment lies in the synergy between CSPM and IAM. CSPM identifies security weaknesses that could be exploited through unauthorized access. IAM, in turn, strengthens access controls, minimizing the risk associated with these misconfigurations.

Imagine a secure office building where IAM controls are like the security guards and keycard access system at the entrance. They ensure that only authorized individuals can enter the building and access specific areas based on their credentials and roles.

On the other hand, CSPM controls are like the building's monitoring system and maintenance crew. They constantly inspect the entire structure for any vulnerabilities, such as unlocked doors or broken windows, and ensure that safety regulations are being followed. They detect and address security misconfigurations and compliance issues to maintain the building's overall security and integrity. It is easy to see why each one cannot function as well without the other.

IAM provides the foundation for secure access. IAM controls ensure that only authorized users get access to the crown jewels...but only if configured correctly. For example, an unsecured cloud storage bucket would circumvent even the most rigid IAM controls.

CSPM continuously scans your cloud environment for misconfigurationsand identifies practices that weaken your core security controls.

Imagine you have an unsecured cloud storage bucket. A CSPM solution would easily detect this issue. Not only would it identify the exposed bucket, but it could also take automatic steps to mitigate the risk. This might involve invoking the appropriate IAM controls to restrict access and secure the bucket.

In simpler terms, CSPM is like a security monitor for your cloud environment. It constantly identifies vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, allowing you to address them before they become security breaches.

This layered defense mitigates risks associated with both misconfigurations and compromised identities. When implemented together, CSPM and IAM create a robust and holistic defense against threats in the cloud.

The Case for CSPM

Would your organization benefit from enhanced security, reduced operational costs, and simplified compliance? CSPM provides a strong business case for organizations of all sizes.

Our team can evaluate the effectiveness of your current IAM security practices. They can assess your IAM needs and design a robust CSPM solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure. By working together, we can help you build a secure and agile cloud foundation for your organization.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today.