Michael Nnaemeka Chukwu: The Impact of cloud computing on cybersecurity: Risks, challenges, best practices

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

In the rapidly evolving digital economy, cloud computing has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time. From small startups in Lagos to multinational corporations in Abuja, organisations in Nigeria and around the world are leveraging the cloud to boost efficiency, reduce costs, scale rapidly, and enhance collaboration.

The cloud has become the backbone of modern IT infrastructure, enabling services like online banking, remote learning, digital health records, and e-governance platforms.

However, as businesses and government agencies migratesensitive data and critical operations to the cloud, they expose themselves to a new wave of cybersecurity risks and challenges.

In this era where cyberattacks grow more sophisticated by the day, understanding how cloud computing affects cybersecurity is crucial to safeguarding data, protecting users, and preserving trust.

Understanding Cloud Computing

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics—over the internet (“the cloud”). Rather than owning their IT infrastructure, organisations rent access to cloud services from providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, or local providers such as MainOne and CloudFlex in Nigeria.

There are different cloud deployment models:
● Public Cloud: Services are offered over the public internet and shared across organisations.
● Private Cloud: Infrastructure is dedicated to a single organisation and may be hosted on-premises or by a third party.
● Hybrid Cloud: Combines public and private clouds for greater flexibility and data deployment options.

Cybersecurity in the Cloud: New Paradigm, New Risks

While cloud computing offers enormous benefits, it introduces a shared responsibility model for security. Cloudproviders are responsible for securing the infrastructure, while customers must secure their data, applications, and access controls. This division often leads to gaps in security postureif not clearly understood or properly managed.

Here are the key cybersecurity risks associated with cloud computing:

1. Data Breaches and Leakage

Cloud environments store massive amounts of sensitive data—from financial records and health data to government intelligence and customer identities. Misconfigured cloud storage, weak access controls, or exploited vulnerabilities can lead to data leaks or breaches. In Nigeria, cases of exposed medical records or financial data due to misconfigured cloud databases are increasingly common.

2. Insecure APIs
Cloud platforms rely heavily on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for integration and operation. Poorly designed, unsecured, or exposed APIs can become a gateway for attackers to manipulate cloud services or exfiltrate data.

3. Account Hijacking
With cloud systems accessible via the internet, compromised credentials can give hackers unauthorised access to cloud services. This can lead to data theft, financial fraud, or even full system takeover.

4. Insider Threats
Cloud-based systems are accessible to many employees, vendors, and partners. A disgruntled or negligent insider can misuse their access to leak or destroy sensitive data. The difficulty of monitoring insider activities in the cloud exacerbates the threat.

5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
Cloud services, particularly public-facing ones, are vulnerable to DoS attacks, which can render services inaccessible to users or crash systems altogether—crippling businesses and government operations.

6. Compliance and Data Sovereignty Issues
Cloud computing often involves storing data in multiple jurisdictions, which may conflict with Nigeria’s data protection regulations like the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA). Cross-border data transfers can expose organisations to legal and compliance risks if not properly managed.

Nigeria’s Cloud Security Landscape: Progress and Gaps

Nigeria is witnessing increased cloud adoption across sectors like fintech, telecoms, education, and public administration. Government agencies are gradually embracing e-governance tools powered by the cloud. However, the maturity of cloud security practices in Nigeria is still evolving.

Challenges in Nigeria include:

● Lack of awareness about shared security responsibilities
● Insufficient investment in cloud security training and tools
● Weak enforcement of cybersecurity and data protection policies
● Limited incident response capabilities
● Scarcity of local cloud service providers with robust security standards

Additionally, cybercriminal groups are growing in number and sophistication, targeting Nigerian organisations with phishing, ransomware, and credential-stuffing attacks that exploit cloud vulnerabilities.

Best Practices for Securing Cloud Environments

To mitigate the security challenges associated with cloud computing, Nigerian organisations must adopt a proactive, layered, and strategic approach. Below are key best practices:
1. Understand the Shared Responsibility Model:

Clearly define and understand which security tasks are handled by the cloud provider and which are the responsibility of the organisation. Neglecting this clarity can lead to fatal assumptions.

2. Implement Strong Identity and Access Management (IAM):

Use multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and least-privilege principles to limit who can access cloud resources and what they can do.

3. Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit:

Encrypt sensitive data stored in the cloud and ensure secure transmission through HTTPS and VPN tunnels. Use encryption keys managed with strict access controls.

4. Regular Security Audits and Penetration Testing:

Conduct routine audits and simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Use cloud-native security tools or third-party services for monitoring and compliance checks.

5. Monitor and Log Everything:

Deploy continuous monitoring and logging tools to track user activity, detect anomalies, and enable swift response to suspicious behaviors or breaches.

6. Educate Employees and Build a Security Culture:

Employees are the first line of defense. Train staff on cloud security best practices, phishing detection, and incident reporting. Cybersecurity awareness must be embedded in organizational culture.

7. Choose Reputable Cloud Providers:

Select providers with a proven track record in security, compliance certifications (such as ISO 27001, SOC 2), and data center transparency. Assess their response times, service-level agreements, and incident handling protocols.

8. Adopt Cloud Security Frameworks:

Use international cloud security frameworks such as those from Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and NIST to guide your policies, architecture, and operational strategies.
Looking Ahead: Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future

As Nigeria’s economy digitises and more citizens participate in the cloud-powered digital ecosystem, ensuring resilient cloud security is critical for national development, economic stability, and public trust. Government, academia, private sector leaders, and cybersecurity professionals must collaborate to:

● Develop cloud security policies and national standards
● Support local cloud service providers to meet global benchmarks
● Strengthen regulatory oversight and data protection enforcement
● Fund research, innovation, and cloud security training programs
● Encourage cybersecurity startups focused on African cloud-specific challenges

Conclusion

Cloud computing is here to stay, offering unmatched agility, scalability, and innovation potential. But these benefits must not come at the cost of security. In the face of rising cyber threats, robust cloud cybersecurity practices are essentialfor maintaining integrity, protecting personal and organisational data, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

By embracing security best practices, investing in education, and aligning policy with technology trends, Nigeria can build a secure and sovereign cloud infrastructure that empowers businesses, protects citizens, and drives sustainable growth.

The cloud may be limitless, but without cybersecurity, it can also be lawless. Let us choose the former.

Michael Nnaemeka Chukwu is a cybersecurity analyst and tech policy advocate with a focus on cloud security, digital rights, and data protection in Africa. He writes on cybersecurity trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory reforms in Nigeria and beyond.