In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the concept of endpoint has significantly extended beyond traditional workstations and servers to include a plethora of cloud resources. From API interfaces to virtual machines and databases, these cloud endpoints are integral to modern businesses, serving as the frontline in both operations and security.

However, this frontline is continuously under attack from a multitude of threats, including phishing, malware, ransomware, and more. As cloud adoption accelerates, so does the need for robust endpoint protection measures specifically designed for these cloud-native scenarios. This article introduces cloud endpoint protection, breaking down its essential components such as Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and discussing best practices to protect cloud endpoint against the cybersecurity threats they face.

COMMON ENDPOINTS IN THE CLOUD

API ENDPOINTS

API endpoints are interfaces that facilitate interaction between a software application and the rest of the software world, including other software applications and users. Given their role, they are often targets for attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), Man-in-The-Middle (MITM), and others. By using cloud endpoint protection, such attacks can be mitigated, ensuring the secure operation of the API endpoints.

VIRTUAL MACHINES (VMS)

VMs are another common endpoint in the cloud. They are essentially digital versions of physical computers, providing the same functionality. VMs can be exposed to various threats, including malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches. Cloud endpoint protection tools can help protect these VMs by providing capabilities such as intrusion detection and prevention, firewall protection, and regular vulnerability scanning.

DATABASES

Databases are cloud resources that store large amounts of data, often sensitive and mission critical. Cloud databases can provide direct access to large amounts of sensitive data if not properly secured. For this reason, databases should be secured with cloud endpoint protection measures, including strong encryption and robust access controls.

STORAGE

Cloud-based storage systems are another resource that can be targeted by various types of attacks, including data theft and ransomware attacks. Using cloud endpoint protection, these storage endpoints can be secured, ensuring the safety of the stored data.

THREATS FACING ENDPOINTS IN THE CLOUD

PHISHING ATTACKS

Phishing attacks are a prevalent threat facing cloud endpoints. In these attacks, cybercriminals attempt to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. They often do this by sending seemingly innocuous emails that contain malicious links or attachments.

Phishing attacks are particularly dangerous because they prey on human vulnerabilities, making them difficult to prevent through technological means alone. This highlights the importance of user education in any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

MALWARE AND RANSOMWARE

Another significant threat facing cloud endpoints is the proliferation of malware and ransomware. Malware is a broad term that encompasses various types of malicious software, including viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware. These malicious programs are designed to infiltrate and damage computers without the users’ consent.

Ransomware, on the other hand, is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom to restore access to them. The rise of ransomware has been particularly concerning due to its ability to cause significant disruption to businesses and even critical infrastructure.

DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE (DDOS)

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are another threat that cloud endpoints must contend with. In a DDoS attack, a malicious actor overwhelms a network, service, or server with a flood of internet traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.

While DDoS attacks do not typically result in the theft of data, they can cause significant disruption to business operations. Moreover, these attacks can serve as a smokescreen for other, more insidious attacks, further highlighting the importance of robust cloud endpoint protection.

PRIVILEGE ESCALATION

Privilege escalation is a type of cyber attack where an attacker exploits a bug, design flaw, or configuration oversight in an operating system or software application to gain elevated access to resources that are usually reserved for privileged users.

In the context of cloud endpoints, privilege escalation attacks can be particularly damaging. If an attacker gains elevated privileges in a cloud environment, they could potentially gain access to all data and resources in that environment, posing a significant security risk.

CLOUD MISCONFIGURATIONS

Finally, one of the most common threats facing cloud endpoints arises not from malicious actors, but from within organizations themselves. Cloud misconfigurations, such as unsecured data storage buckets or overly permissive access controls, can provide an open door for cybercriminals.

These misconfigurations can often go unnoticed until it’s too late, making it critical for organizations to have visibility into their cloud environments and to continuously monitor them for any changes that could potentially expose them to risk.

COMPONENTS OF CLOUD ENDPOINT PROTECTION

Endpoint protection solutions are not new, but in recent years most vendors have extended them to support cloud environments. Here are the main components of endpoint protection solutions you can use in your cloud environment:

NGAV (NEXT-GENERATION ANTIVIRUS)

Unlike traditional antivirus software that relies on signature-based detection, NGAV utilizes advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and block a wide range of threats. It can detect malware, ransomware, and even zero-day exploits that may evade traditional antivirus solutions.

EDR (ENDPOINT DETECTION AND RESPONSE)

EDR security solutions provide continuous monitoring and response to advanced threats. They collect data from endpoint devices and analyze it for signs of threats. If a threat is detected, EDR solutions can quickly respond by isolating the affected endpoint, thereby preventing the threat from spreading within the network.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE

Threat Intelligence is a proactive security measure that involves gathering and analyzing information about emerging threats. With this information, businesses can better anticipate potential attacks and respond quickly and effectively. In a cloud endpoint protection solution, threat intelligence feeds into other components like NGAV and EDR, enhancing their threat detection and response capabilities.

APPLICATION CONTROL AND SANDBOXING

Application control is a security technique that restricts the applications that can run on an endpoint. This technique reduces the attack surface and helps prevent malware and other malicious software from executing on the endpoint. Sandboxing, on the other hand, is a security mechanism that isolates potentially unsafe applications in a separate environment, preventing them from affecting the rest of the system.