The Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Cloud: Why Cloud-to-Cloud Security Can't Be Ignored
by Nick LaRosa
Small businesses have embraced the cloud like never before. Email through Microsoft 365, file storage on Google Drive, project management in Asana, customer data in Salesforce—the list goes on. These cloud-based platforms have revolutionized how we work, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost savings that were once only available to large enterprises.
But here’s what many St. Louis small business owners don’t realize: moving to the cloud doesn’t automatically make your data secure. In fact, 68% of small and medium businesses reported at least one cloud-related security incident in the past year, and the average cost of a cloud breach now stands at a staggering $4.88 million.
The Costly Misconception
There’s a dangerous assumption many business owners make: “If my data is in the cloud, the cloud provider is protecting it.” While Microsoft, Google, and other providers secure their infrastructure, they don’t protect what happens inside your account. That responsibility falls squarely on you.
Think of it this way—your cloud provider builds a secure building with strong walls and locked doors. But once you’re inside, it’s up to you to lock your filing cabinets, shred sensitive documents, and control who has access to what. Cloud-to-cloud security solutions fill this critical gap.
Cybercriminals have figured out that small businesses often lack the resources and expertise to properly secure their cloud environments. The statistics are sobering:
• 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses — nearly half of all attacks.
• 60% of small businesses that experience a cyberattack go out of business within six months.
• More than 90% of cyberattacks begin with a phishing email designed to steal cloud login credentials.
• 80% of companies experienced a cloud-related attack in the past year, with incidents ranging from data breaches to ransomware.
• Over 55% of cloud accounts monitored contain guest users, often with lingering access.
The Real Threats You’re Facing
• Stolen Credentials.
• Account Takeovers.
• Risky File Sharing.
• Overlooked Guest Accounts.
What Cloud-to-Cloud Security Actually Does
• Monitoring unauthorized access attempts from unusual locations.
• Detecting suspicious file downloads or data transfers.
• Identifying compromised accounts through behavioral analysis.
• Alerting you to risky sharing permissions and misconfigured settings.
• Tracking third-party app connections with excessive access.
Action You Can Take Today
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all cloud platforms.
• Conduct regular audits of access permissions.
• Train employees to recognize phishing and suspicious activity.
• Review and remove outdated guest accounts.
• Consider a cloud-to-cloud security solution that monitors your SaaS applications in real-time.
The threat landscape continues to evolve, with cloud breaches increasing by 300% in recent years. But with the right tools and awareness, small businesses can protect themselves without breaking the bank. Your cloud platforms power your business—make sure they’re not also your biggest vulnerability. While no solution is 100% effective at stopping a breach, our testing has shown that this monitoring is effective in identifying events that have historically led to breaches.
Nick LaRosa is a Founding Partner at CMIT Solutions St. Louis, a Managed IT Service Provider. Contact Mike at 314.628.0811 or visit www.cmitstl.com.