Introduction
As more businesses migrate to the cloud, security mistakes are becoming increasingly costly. Here are the top five cloud security mistakes we see SMBs make—and how to avoid them.
1. Not Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication
This is the single most impactful security control you can implement. MFA blocks over 99.9% of account compromise attacks.
Solution: Enable MFA for all users, starting with admin accounts.
2. Over-Permissioning Users
Giving users more access than they need creates unnecessary risk. If an account is compromised, attackers get those same permissions.
Solution: Follow the principle of least privilege. Regular access reviews should be conducted quarterly.
3. Ignoring Security Defaults
Microsoft 365 and Azure come with security defaults that many organisations disable for convenience.
Solution: Review security defaults before disabling them. Understand the trade-offs.
4. No Data Loss Prevention
Without DLP policies, sensitive data can easily leave your organisation via email, SharePoint, or Teams.
Solution: Implement DLP policies to detect and prevent sensitive data exposure.
5. Poor Backup Strategy
Cloud services have built-in redundancy, but that's not the same as backup. Accidental deletion, ransomware, or malicious insiders can still cause data loss.
Solution: Implement a proper backup strategy with regular testing.
Conclusion
Cloud security isn't set-and-forget. Regular reviews and updates to your security posture are essential.