A serverless environment/architecture is a manner in which applications are run without any physical server or without a specific infrastructure. It is a virtual setup where the server along with the applications is managed via cloud computing. It has innumerable benefits.

1. Measures to ensure Cyber
Security in a serverless
environment
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3. There is a lot that can be said and written when it comes to cyber security. But
in the past few years, this game has completely changed with the increased
remote setup and the uncertainty till which it will continue. Cyber Security in
business has taken a different path altogether. How good it will be to learn
about the measures that can be taken to ensure Cyber Security in a serverless
environment.
Serverless Environment: Brief Introduction
A serverless environment/architecture is a manner in which applications are run
without any physical server or without a specific infrastructure.

4. It is a virtual setup where the server along with the applications is managed via
cloud computing. It has innumerable benefits:
1. It saves the cost of setting up a proper physical server and its
maintenance.
2. The overall cost is reduced.
3. It fastens the process of deployment and updates.
4. The serverless environment is wide and expandable to a great extent.
Apart from this, you can have other benefits such as:
● It saves a lot of time in terms of commuting.

5. ● You can work anywhere around the world irrespective of your office’s
location.
● It gives you the flexibility of making any place your home (of course abiding
by your organization’s rules).
Serverless Environment: Cyber Security Threats
In a serverless environment, vulnerabilities of attack increase to a great extent
which is an indication of taking quick and advanced actions to ensure cyber
security in a business. Let’s have a look at some of the cyber security threats in
a serverless environment.

6. ● Injection Flaws: The most common cause of cyber security threats is
function event-data injection. Unlike web environments, in serverless
environments, it is difficult to figure out secure and non-trusted paths. In
such cases, the interpreter takes untrusted information and executes it.
This makes the whole environment quite vulnerable to attacks. The most
common examples of injection flaws in a serverless environment are:
1. Function run time code injection (happens in node.js/javascript, python,
C##, Java, etc.)
2. SQL injection

7. ● Authentication Gets Broken: In a serverless environment, exist a
number of functions as it is a microservices-type environment. Now each
of these functions is not completely secure as they can promote exposure
of public web APIs. Some of them can act as proxy functions for various
processes thus exposing the entry points of the environment and posing a
great threat to cyber security.
● Incorrect Configuration Settings: As we all know that the concept of a
serverless environment is not very old, hence, it is still a learning curve for
computer architects and engineers to set a properly configured

8. This may lead to misconfiguration or incorrect configuration of the
environment, which in turn increases the risk of loopholes that can
compromise cyber security.
● Granting High-Level Permissions: Giving high-level permissions for
accessing confidential data via a serverless environment is another way of
inviting threats. This could result in the mishandling of information by
performing unintended operations such as “executing system function”.

10. ● Improper Monitoring of Logs: Though most organizations make it a point
to constantly monitor the logs/activities of users, especially in a serverless
environment, it is quite possible that they lag behind in it. As monitoring of
logs is done in real-time, missing out on any suspicious activity can result
in a mismatched audit trail, thus increasing the risk of cyber-attacks.
● Untrusted Third-Party Dependencies: With the latest open-source
frameworks, app development has become easier, but it has also made
the serverless environment vulnerable. It takes just a small code to inject a
virus while a developer is calling a third-party service through API calls.

11. Now, let’s have a look at the measures to strengthen it.
How to Make a Serverless Environment More Reliable?
Several measures have been taken by organizations to ensure maximum cyber
security in a business. Some of the most remarkable ones are listed below:
● Permission at Every Step: As mentioned above, granting high-level
permission makes the environment more vulnerable to threats. Hence,
introducing permissions at every function helps in the micromanagement of
cyber security. The more restrictions are imposed on the usage of

12. ● Checking Every Bit of Data Carefully: No matter how reliable the source
of data is, we should keep checks at every point by properly evaluating
every program and every line of code. It goes without saying that even the
finest developers can miss damages like file intrusion attacks, so
evaluation at even the smallest step is compulsory.
● Collection of Real-time Security Events: It is highly recommended by
experts to have proper data monitoring of real-time security events. This
helps in detecting threats and stopping them at a very initial stage.

13. Taking advantage of AWS services like AWS X-Ray, Amazon CloudTrail,
and Amazon CloudWatch is a great option to avail of third-party security
services.
● Frequent Risk Assessment: A serverless environment can expose
confidential data through various functions. Therefore, it is important to
conduct risk assessment exercises on a regular basis. Further, data
encryption tightens the boundaries for any sort of cyber-attack.
● Introduce Secure Authentication: Make full use of enormously beneficial
tools like Microsoft’s Azure AD. These tools help in creating a complex

14. You can also enforce steps that can nullify the effect of a potential threat.
● Privatization of API Gateways: You can set a limit for the number of
clients to access your API gateways. The smaller the number of clients the
less vulnerable API gateways will become. Hence, make these gateways
are private and completely deprived of any sort of cyber-attack.
Apart from these measures, there are general safeguarding techniques, like
training of staff, endpoint protection, continuous data backup, usage of secured
Wi-Fi connection, etc. that encourage cyber security in a business.

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