Cloud platforms have changed how businesses operate. From startups to large enterprises, almost every organization now relies on some form of cloud service. Whether it’s file storage, virtual machines, or identity management, cloud solutions offer speed, flexibility, and scalability.
But with convenience comes risk.
The move to the cloud has introduced new types of security challenges. Companies often think their provider is handling most of the protection. In reality, cloud security is a shared responsibility. Mistakes in setup or usage can lead to serious breaches, sometimes without anyone noticing until it’s too late.
In this article, we’ll look at common cloud security mistakes that put organizations at risk. These issues are surprisingly frequent, but once spotted, they’re also avoidable.
Mistake #1: Trusting Default Configurations
One of the most common missteps companies make is relying on default settings. Cloud services often launch with default permissions, roles, and configurations designed to help users get started quickly. But these defaults aren’t built with security in mind.
For example, some identity tools install with elevated privileges that extend across the entire organization. If you don’t tighten those settings, a breach of that one tool could affect everything. Admin roles may remain open to all team members, or audit logs might not even be activated. Attackers know these weak points. They specifically look for environments where no one has changed the defaults.
Things can get even more complicated when connecting internal systems to the cloud. Many organizations use sync tools that link their on-premises directories with cloud environments. These connectors often hold sensitive credentials, tokens, or even full access to directory data.
One real-world example that highlights the danger of misconfigured identity tools is the Microsoft Entra Connect compromise. In this case, attackers exploited a poorly protected sync tool to gain access to sensitive systems. It showed how even a trusted connector could become a liability when left exposed or improperly maintained.
It’s easy to install a tool and forget about it. But when that tool has deep access to your identity infrastructure, a single lapse can have wide-reaching effects.
Mistake #2: Overlooking Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Identity and Access Management plays a major role in cloud security, yet many businesses don’t give it the attention it deserves. IAM is about giving the right people the right level of access to the right resources, no more, no less.
In practice, companies often assign overly broad permissions. Admin privileges are handed out too casually. Temporary accounts are never removed. Old employees retain access to critical systems long after they’ve left. Over time, the cloud environment becomes a mess of uncontrolled access.
Role-based access control is supposed to solve this, but few teams set it up properly. Even when it’s in place, it’s rarely reviewed. And when identity data is synced from on-prem systems to the cloud, some of that excess access comes along for the ride.
Attackers don’t need to breach firewalls if they can simply log in with an old, unused admin account. Weak IAM policies create exactly that kind of opening.
Mistake #3: Poor Visibility into Cloud Assets
Another common issue is the lack of visibility into cloud environments. Companies move fast, spinning up services, containers, databases, and storage buckets without tracking everything that gets deployed. Over time, it becomes hard to tell which resources are active, unused, or even forgotten.
This creates a perfect setup for unnoticed vulnerabilities. Shadow IT—tools or services set up without proper oversight—adds more risk. If security teams don’t know an asset exists, they can’t monitor or protect it.
Tagging and inventory management can help keep track of what’s running in the cloud. Still, many teams skip this step during launch. Once the number of services grows, catching up feels overwhelming. But without basic awareness, even small misconfigurations can stay hidden for months. That’s enough time for attackers to discover and exploit them.
Setting up automatic discovery tools and maintaining clean dashboards can make a big difference. Visibility is the first step in controlling risk.
Mistake #4: Incomplete Data Protection Strategies
Cloud providers offer strong security tools, but they don’t protect everything out of the box. Businesses often assume their data is safe once it’s in the cloud. That’s a risky mindset.
Data can be exposed if it’s not encrypted both during transfer and while stored. Many services offer encryption options, but they need to be turned on and configured. Backup practices also vary. Some teams think their provider keeps long-term backups by default, but that’s not always true.
Ransomware is still a threat in cloud setups. If companies don’t have offline or out-of-band backups, recovery may be difficult. Without regular testing, those backups might not even work when needed.
Another common oversight is skipping access control for stored data. File buckets and storage folders often have public access accidentally enabled. That’s how sensitive information ends up leaking to the internet without anyone realizing it.
Good data protection means reviewing what’s stored, who can see it, and how it’s being secured. A regular check-in can go a long way.
Mistake #5: Weak Incident Response Plans
Even with strong protections, something can still go wrong. That’s why having a solid incident response plan matters. Unfortunately, many companies don’t prepare for this. They act once a breach happens, and by then, valuable time is already lost.
Without a clear process, the response becomes chaotic. Teams waste time figuring out who’s responsible, what steps to follow, and how to communicate. Meanwhile, the damage continues.
A good response plan assigns roles, outlines actions, and gives clear instructions for various scenarios. Cloud-specific threats require tailored playbooks. Logging out all sessions, rotating access keys, and restoring cloud resources quickly isn’t the same as doing it in a traditional environment.
Testing matters too. A plan that hasn’t been reviewed or rehearsed might exist only on paper. Teams need practice to move fast when pressure hits.
Mistake #6: Ignoring Regular Audits and Penetration Testing
The cloud is always changing. What was safe last month might not be secure today. That’s why regular security testing is important. Still, many companies skip it or treat it as a one-time task.
Audits help teams review policies, permissions, and configurations. They reveal old accounts, misused services, and compliance gaps. Penetration tests go deeper. They simulate real attacks to see where defenses break down.
Both types of checks are useful. They give teams a fresh view of the system and help catch issues early. Yet, they often get pushed to the side, especially during busy project phases.
Security doesn’t end after launch. It’s something that needs to stay in focus.
Cloud security isn’t just about software—it’s about decisions. The most damaging breaches usually come from mistakes that seemed small at the time. A skipped setting, a forgotten tool, or a wide-open account can open the door to serious trouble.
By taking a closer look at how cloud environments are set up and maintained, businesses can reduce risk and operate more confidently. It starts with awareness, and continues with better habits.
