We’re less than halfway through 2025, and research shows that the global cost of cybercrime is about to hit $10.5 trillion. Pretty insane, right?

 As more organizations turn to cloud-based applications for efficiency and scalability, security risks are rising just as quickly. Sure, cloud software offers great agility—but without the proper security measures, you might as well be handing over the keys to your digital vault.

From data breaches caused by weak configurations to insider threats and insecure APIs, cloud vulnerabilities are real and costly. In fact, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024. That’s not a bill any business wants to foot.

 So, what smart steps should you take to stay secure? That’s precisely what this blog is here to cover. Let’s dive in!

What are the Risks Associated with Cloud Software?

As technology advances, cloud solutions have become the most preferred option for businesses in terms of accessibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. While we can’t deny the fruitful benefits these products provide, we also can’t ignore the security risks that come with them, such as: 

1. Misconfiguration of Cloud Resources

A leading cause of cloud data security incidents. Misconfigured storage buckets, default settings, or disabled security controls can unintentionally expose data to the public. Even a minor oversight can result in massive data leaks.

2. Unauthorized Access

This has been one of the most alarming issues for businesses of all sizes—because no one wants their data exposed for anyone to access. Negligence and errors like weak identity controls, poor password hygiene, and the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) can allow attackers to access sensitive business data. 

3. Insecure APIs

An API is necessary to integrate services into your cloud application. However, poorly secured APIs can be risky and expose sensitive data. In most cases, this is caused by weak or missing authentication and access control systems, which make your data vulnerable to attackers and exploiters. 

4. Human Error

A hard truth is that human errors can contribute to cloud breaches. For example, your employees can unintentionally click phishing links, use weak passwords, or accidentally share sensitive information. You can’t ignore that without proper cloud application security training. Your team could unintentionally put your entire organization at serious risk. 

5. Shadow IT

This refers to the use of IT software or services without the supervision and approval of the IT department. These tools don’t follow proper security configurations and protocols and are dangerous for cloud data security and compliance.

6. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

These are long-term, targeted attacks where cybercriminals infiltrate your cloud systems without getting detected. APTs can gradually tap sensitive data in the long run, making early detection and response essential.

Key Security Considerations for Cloud-Based Apps

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Controlling access to your cloud environment is crucial—and that’s where IAM (Identity and Access Management) comes in. By implementing IAM practices, you ensure that only the right people have the right level of access. Here’s how: 

• You must add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized access
• You need to implement RBAC to assign permissions based on the user’s role within the organization
• You must establish policies that assess login behaviors (e.g., location, device) in real-time
• You should use tools that offer visibility across your entire cloud-based software ecosystem
• You must keep checking on shared passwords and accounts to detect any new and unusual activity in your system

2. Encryption Protocols

Cloud data protection is impossible without solid encryption models. And it’s not just a best practice but a recognized industry standard. It works like creating protected walls against attackers so they won’t be able to read or use it even if they get access to your cloud systems. Here’s what you need to know about encryption.

• AES-256 Encryption: A standard for encrypting data at rest, making data unreadable without the proper decryption key.
• TLS 1.3 Encryption: Used to secure data from interception and tampering as it travels between systems.
• Hardware Security Modules (HSMs): Prevent key theft or unauthorized access and add physical security to your technology suite.
• Regular Key Rotation: This limits the impact of a potential key compromise while storing old keys securely to maintain data integrity throughout the rotation process.

3. Secure APIs

As discussed above, APIs are vital to operating cloud-based applications. However, attackers usually exploit their sensitivities to gain unethical access to your data. Here’s what you must do:

• Make sure all APIs employ authentication (e.g., OAuth, API keys) to confirm the identity of the users or systems requesting
• Implement role-based access control (RBAC) for API requests to limit access
• Continuously monitor the behavior of APIs for signs of unusual activity, such as sudden spikes in request volume or unusual access patterns
• Implement automated alerts to notify your security team of potential threats
• Only expose essential APIs to external users or systems
• Regularly audit your API endpoints

4. Cloud Security Governance

Cloud security risks increase when you stop focusing on who’s accessing your cloud applications. For this, you must:

• Clearly define and document the responsibilities between your organization and your cloud provider
• Make your team understand different aspects of security like infrastructure, applications, and data
• Align your cloud security governance with relevant regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS
• Document and communicate internal policies that govern cloud usage, including access permissions, data management practices, and security protocols
• Ensure that policies are timely updated to account for changes in the regulatory environment or cloud technology

5. Monitoring & Threat Detection

What’s better than proactively making your system secure before any issue? Enabling you to spot suspicious activity quickly before it becomes a dangerous issue. Here’s how you can prevent it:

• You should implement SIEM systems to collect and analyze security data from various sources. 
• It’s better to use SIEM platforms to detect patterns indicative of potential threats, like abnormal access times or unusual traffic.
• You must deploy CASBs to monitor cloud-based applications for compliance and security risks.
• Opt for machine learning-powered tools to automatically flag unusual activities or behaviors that deviate from established norms.
• Always set up real-time alerts to notify your security team immediately of potential threats.

Cloud Security Starts with Smart Decisions

Securing those environments is a basic requirement as companies depend on cloud applications for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. The threats are real, from misconfiguration and insecure APIs to insider threats and human error. But so are the solutions.

Adopting the cloud security solutions mentioned above can transform your cloud infrastructure from a possible weakness into a secure asset.

Today, you have the chance to review your cloud infrastructure, close the gaps, and construct a security stance that expands as your business grows.

Make security your foundation, not an afterthought.