Kron Telekomünikasyon Hizmetleri : Privileged Access Management for Telecom and Cloud Service Providers

Privileged Access Management for Telecom and Cloud Service Providers

Feb 27, 2022 / Kron

With the massive digitization of the business world, the concepts of data, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity have become even more important for companies operating in different industries. In particular, data security is crucial for telecom operators and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) that place these concepts at the center of their workflows, in other words, carry out almost all of their work through data.

Telecom operators and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) tend to maintain and process huge data stacks because they have large-scale operations. This trend, coupled with hyper-modern systems and the hyper-network reality of the globalizing world economy, pushes relevant organizations to make serious efforts to maintain the balance with independent access management and data security.

Considering all cyber risks, it emerges how important it is to maintain high levels of access security for telecom operators and cloud service providers to protect critical data. Indeed, the increasing impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) concept on the online environment is also increasing the number/frequency of cyber threats.

Cybersecurity Challenges of Telecom Operators

There are primarily three cybersecurity challenges experienced by telecom operators. All three represent aspects of security which companies' IT teams have been working on for decades with no conclusive solution due to the nature of data.

• Scalability and reliability: Telecom operators' own security problems can slow down growth. It is extremely important to have a scalable and reliable IT infrastructure in this industry where service and market-delivery time is crucial.
• Mobility and integrations: Mobile connectivity and the integrations required for this connection can leave telecom operators' cybersecurity systems vulnerable.
• Mergers and acquisitions: Telecom operators are using new systems that make it easier for them to keep up with the digital age as well as older systems. Because this hybrid structure requires managing different systems, it can be difficult to handle complex aspects of data security and tighten the screw on unauthorized access.

Besides, Internet of Things (IoT), Third Party Risk (Third Party Risk) and Insider Threats are among the cybersecurity challenges faced by telecom operators. With the rapid increase in the number of devices connected to IoT networks, new ports keep getting added to the networks of telecom operators. This complicates the prevention of unauthorized access, increasing the risk of further cyberattacks. That is precisely why preventing unauthorized access is of great importance for organizations to build high-end cybersecurity networks.

On the other hand, the fact that very few employees in the telecommunications sector have cybersecurity training is one of the biggest challenges for telecom operators. Cases of data breaches resulting from intentional/unintentional acts of employees can significantly disrupt telecom operators' workflows. In addition, the disclosure of privileged account credentials caused by internal threats can leave the relevant companies facing serious financial losses.

Third-party risk is another component that threatens the cybersecurity infrastructures of telecom operators. This risk group, consisting of third stakeholders such as email providers, vendors, partners, service providers and law firms, creates an ideal backdoor for cyber attackers. Failure to take the necessary data security measures at this point can cause significant problems.

According to the Telecom Security Incidents 2020 report prepared by ENISA, 50% of user hours lost are caused by data breaches, while 41% of system failures are attributable to user errors. The same report said 841 million user hours had been lost due to breaches with 26% of recorded data breach incidents caused by human error.

Cybersecurity Challenges Faced by Cloud Service Providers

Cloud services are exposed to cybersecurity risks by nature. There are basically two cybersecurity challenges experienced by cloud service providers, which are vulnerable to cyberthreats:

• Compliance with legislation: Cloud service providers must comply with their personal data obligations in the regions they operate. Failure to comply with these obligations entail serious legal sanctions.
• Multiple tenancy: Even if cloud service providers can keep their data safe, they are quite likely to experience challenges with clients who don't have the same cybersecurity standards. To avoid this, it is useful to emphasize that all clients on the server must be located on the server isolated from the overall structure of the servers.

The ineffectiveness of tools to provide network visibility in cloud servers is one of the cybersecurity challenges faced by cloud service providers' structures. The failure of traditional tools to provide network visibility in a cloud environment can cause lack of visibility. This makes it difficult for organizations to control their cloud-based resources and take cybersecurity measures.

The fact that cloud-based IT infrastructures are outside the network environment makes unauthorized access easier. The easier arrival of unauthorized access also opens the way for cyber attackers to violate the data security of their credentials. The capture of data stored on instances as a result of phishing attacks is also among the challenges faced by cloud service providers. The widespread use of cloud-based email and file sharing apps also makes it easier for cyber attackers to access critical data. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to create a comprehensive cybersecurity infrastructure.

A Way to Eliminate Challenges and Risks: Privileged Access Management

Privileged Access Management applications are used to eliminate cybersecurity risks by telecom operators and cloud service providers. Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions allow you to approach all users like privileged users. PAM systems, which enable verification of all authorized sessions across the network, offer a range of cybersecurity measures thanks to the modules they have.

PAM solutions that incorporate the central password system require simultaneous location and time validation when privileged access permission is requested. In addition, privileged access management systems reduce service downtime by automating routine tasks on the network, while isolating privileged users' passwords on the system helping to create an advanced cybersecurity network. The Zero Trust method lies at the heart of PAM applications that enable telecom operators and cloud service providers to provide end-to-end data and access security.

The zero-trust principle means that the accounts to be granted privileged access are not trusted and the 24/7 inspection of privileged account access. Built in light of the zero-trust principle, PAM solutions play an important role in limiting unauthorized access while also helping telecom operators and cloud service providers to manage internal threats.

Our PAM product Single Connect, helps organizations to provide data and access security. As being recognized in the Omdia Universe: Selecting a PAM Solution 2021-22 report released by Omdia thanks to its advanced features, Single Connect, stands out as one of the best Privileged Access Management products globally.

You can make your organization safer for cybersecurity using our Single Connect solution designed to prevent critical data from being captured. You can contact us to find out more about Single Connect, an intelligent software solution that provides end-to-end data and access security.