Debt is a major concern for organizations today. While there is often discussion surrounding household debt and tax debt, one type of debt that is often overlooked is security debt. Just like neglecting to pay your taxes or bills on time can result in accumulating interest and falling behind, if an organization neglects their cybersecurity while building their company, it can cost them more in the long run. Failure to implement proper security measures from the start can lead to significant security flaws that require extensive reengineering, costing far more than if these measures had been taken initially.
Many organizations make the mistake of deploying applications without incorporating security into the development life cycle. As a result, these companies often find themselves having to go back and reengineer the software at its core due to inherent security flaws. This reengineering process is much more expensive than if security had been integrated into the development process from the beginning.
The growth of cloud services has only magnified the issue of security debt. With the ability for anyone with a credit card to spin up cloud applications, developers can potentially put valuable data and business assets at risk. In the past, if a business unit wanted to deploy a new application, they would have to involve the IT organization, ensuring some level of security oversight. However, today, a business unit can outsource the development of a custom environment on any cloud platform without the involvement of IT. This lack of visibility and control can lead to significant security vulnerabilities.
As companies strive to build and deploy applications more quickly using cloud infrastructure-as-a-service platforms, security debt can accumulate rapidly. The worst-case scenario of security debt is a breach, such as a ransomware attack or theft. However, there are many other consequences of security debt that can be quantified. For example, the costs of reengineering security to ensure compliance in highly regulated industries like retail and finance can be substantial. Additionally, regulators are increasingly willing to impose fines and penalties on companies that experience data breaches due to noncompliant and insufficient security measures.
Preventing security debt requires establishing baselines and aligning with basic security frameworks. Conducting a security program assessment (SPA) that evaluates various domains of security, such as security awareness and vulnerability management, against industry-specific best practices can be a helpful tool. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) offers valuable guidelines and controls for organizations to follow.
Aligning with a security framework is similar to adhering to building codes in construction. It sets a baseline of safety practices that can prevent major catastrophes. Just as building codes vary geographically, the baselines for data security vary by industry. For example, retailers may prioritize compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard, while other industries may focus on meeting the standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its Cyber Security Framework (CSF).
While aligning with a security framework provides guidance, organizations must also tailor these guidelines to their unique environment and requirements. There are several recommendations for preventing security debt in the cloud:
1. Integrate security into the software development life cycle: By incorporating security early and throughout the development process, organizations can ensure the security of their software.
2. Regularly review your security posture: Automating security checks and regularly assessing vulnerabilities and insecure configurations can help mitigate risks in a timely manner.
3. Restrict access as you move toward production: Initially, entitlements may be permissive, but as functional testing progresses, it’s important to assess and limit access to protect cloud assets.
4. Reduce your attack surface: Mitigate common cloud misconfigurations and exploitation techniques, and monitor cloud infrastructure for vulnerabilities.
5. Perform a cyber-threat profile assessment: Understand the specific threats faced by your cloud architecture and identify the top security risks.
6. Conduct penetration testing: Get third-party validation to identify potential risks and measure the associated risk with your cloud assets.
It is important to note that security debt exists in both traditional on-premises data centers and cloud platforms. Preventing security debt in the cloud requires a different set of skills, processes, and tools. By following these recommendations, organizations can begin to pay down existing security debt and avoid accumulating new debt that could lead to significant breaches or regulatory penalties.