In a major security incident recently, threat actors took over more than 100 Microsoft Azure environments that were operated by Microsoft’s customers. Attackers used phishing and cloud account takeover mechanisms to target employees and executives to compromise their Azure systems. Once the threat actor gained initial access to Azure environment, they carried out malicious activities including data theft, more phishing attacks, manipulation of multi-factor authentication, financial fraud and more.

In this article, we discuss key security controls that you must implement to reduce the risk and impact of phishing and cloud account control attacks:

1. Security Awareness Training
To promote safe browsing practices and mitigate the risk of social engineering, conduct regular cybersecurity awareness trainings for all employees to recognize and respond to phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. Run simulated phishing campaigns to test employees’ awareness and provide targeted training to those who fall for the simulations.

2. Email Security
Use advanced email security solutions that can detect and block phishing emails and malicious attachments before they reach the user’s inbox. Deploy email authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prevent email spoofing. Ensure that comprehensive malware protection is in place, including antivirus and anti-malware solutions with automatic updates.

3. Strong Passwords and Multi-factor Authentication
Enforce strong password policies that require a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Encourage the use of reputable password managers to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each account. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication for accessing sensitive systems and data to add an extra layer of security, reducing the risk if login credentials are compromised via phishing.

4. Access Control
Follow the principle of least privilege to ensure that users have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their job functions, reducing the potential impact of a compromised account. Additionally implement adaptive or dynamic access control which unlike traditional access control, considers contextual information about access attempts, such as user location, device security status, time of access, network security, and user behavior patterns etc. to make informed decisions. Therefore, even if password is compromised, these additional factors protect sensitive resources from unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

5. Secure Endpoints
Ensure that all devices including mobile devices, accessing cloud services are protected with up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware solutions. Regularly update and patch operating systems and applications to protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited in an attack. Advise against the use of public Wi-Fi for accessing cloud services or require the use of VPNs if public Wi-Fi must be used.

6. API Security
By implementing robust authentication mechanisms such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, or API keys, and enforcing strict authorization controls, API security ensures that even if a phishing attack results in compromised credentials, the attacker’s ability to access or manipulate API resources is limited or nullified. Additionally, encrypting API communications with TLS prevents attackers from intercepting credentials or sensitive data even if they manage to lure a victim into a phishing scheme that involves man-in-the-middle tactics. Utilizing API gateways with built-in security features can provide an additional layer of protection, screening incoming API requests for signs of malicious activity potentially stemming from compromised accounts.

7. Encryption of sensitive data
Encrypt your sensitive data at rest as well as in transit ensures that even if attackers gain access to system through a phishing attack, the data remains unreadable and secure without the decryption keys. Also, ensure that encryption keys are securely managed and stored, and implement measures like hardware security modules (HSMs), can protect against phishing attacks aimed at obtaining decryption keys.

Safeguarding your cloud environments from phishing and cloud account takeover attacks demands a proactive and comprehensive security approach. If you’re looking to bolster your defenses and navigate the complex landscape of cloud security with confidence, Zenmid is here to guide you. Our expertise in crafting tailored security solutions can help protect your organization from sophisticated threats and ensure your valuable data remains secure. We invite you to schedule a consultation with our experts and take the first step towards a more secure future for your cloud environments. Let’s work together to build a security strategy that not only addresses today’s challenges but also anticipates tomorrow’s threats.