Cybersecurity Expert Speaks To Microsoft Azure Vulnerabilities & Solutions

Organizations that bought into the wide-reaching benefits of Microsoft (MSFT) Azure would be well served to recognize the platform may have underlying cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Of course, that statement typically holds true of any popular platform because cybercriminals tirelessly look for ways to penetrate defenses.

Azure remains a widely used public cloud computing platform that culls together Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). It has delivered qualitative and quantifiable solutions in terms of analytics, networking, storage, and cost-effectively replaces or supplements in-house servers. Azure appears to be part of the business landscape, and that’s why it’s essential to consider whether it represents a security liability or if actionable solutions exist. Cybersecurity expert Eric Weast of ECW Network & IT Solutions in South Florida speaks to these issues.

What are the Biggest Security Vulnerabilities for Azure Users?

The Microsoft platform has been flagged for cybersecurity deficiencies. As recently as January, researchers at Check Point reportedly identified a pair of patched Windows updates that may have cracked the door for hacker penetrations.

One security flaw was reportedly exploitable via the Microsoft Azure Stack Portal, and Check Point researchers called the vulnerability a “cloud security nightmare.” Microsoft was quick to secure this crack in Azure’s defense system. However, experts such as the ECW Network & It Solutions consultant believe there may be inherent vulnerabilities associated with Azure and other platforms to consider.

“In my opinion, direct Remote Desktop and accounts without multi-factor authentication. Companies at the very least should make sure that all of their Administrators and Remote Employees have multi-factor enforced,” Weast reportedly said. “More ideally, every employee in the company who authenticates to Azure, and Office 365 should have multi-factor enforced.”

Weast points to all-too-common cybersecurity shortsightedness in the business community. Industry leaders sometimes have a false sense of security that firewalls and antivirus packages deliver enterprise-level protections. What many fail to realize is that systems, including the Cloud-based Azure platform, are only as powerful as their weakest link. A single employee misstep can allow digital thieves access to an entire network.

What Countermeasures & Services Does Microsoft Have in Place to Secure Data?

Conventional wisdom led some CEOs and entrepreneurs to believe that Azure ranked among the most secure Cloud computing platforms. While such determinations may be somewhat subjective, Microsoft products offer a diverse cybersecurity toolkit that has proven resilient. But at the end of the day, business defenses are often self-determined.

“Azure is a robust set of cloud services with many built-in security protocols,” Weast reportedly said. “However, many IT professionals have not been trained or certified on this technology or have acquired the experience necessary to ensure that they have properly secured the systems.”

What Will the Post-Pandemic Cybersecurity Landscape Look Like?

Cybersecurity has been a focal point of managed IT during the COVID-19 escalation. Hackers rolled out unprecedented schemes targeting new remote workforces. Millions of recently displaced employees lacked cybersecurity awareness and training. That’s why work-from-home employees saw an onslaught of attacks aimed at using them as a backdoor to business networks.

“There are the always-prevalent brute-force attacks and vulnerability exploitations, but that’s something that we addressed a while ago,” Weast reportedly said. “We would recommend every company conduct an audit of all employee permissions as their business reopens, regularly scan their network for vulnerabilities, ensure they have multi-factor authentication at every perimeter, and regularly test their staff, so they’re aware of emerging security threats.”

The South Florida cybersecurity professional also expects business will no longer be “as usual.” Critical lessons were learned from the COVID-19 disruption. Strategic thinking about remote connectivity and risk are expected to prompt a more determined response.

“Microsoft deals with over 7 trillion attacks per day with Azure. They spend over a billion dollars per year on cybersecurity and work with law enforcement all around the world. Microsoft is continually changing and adapting its infrastructure to harden its own attack surface or shut down threat actors around the world,” Weast reportedly said. “Businesses have had a portion of staff work from home for the most part, but COVID-19 has stress-tested that out to the max. Now with businesses jumping onto the work anywhere bandwagon, there will be a greater need to ensure that company services are secured outside of the traditional secure perimeter of a physical office.”

“We’re going to see innovation and new ideas come up to deal with the distribution and displacement of the workforce,” he reportedly said. “I also think we will also see a larger adoption in security awareness training programs as well to educate remote staff on best practices and telltale signs.”