---
title: Google Cloud SQL instance data exported to cloud storage
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Google Cloud SQL instance data exported
  to cloud storage
---

# Google Cloud SQL instance data exported to cloud storage
Classification:attackTactic:[TA0010-exfiltration](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0010)Technique:[T1537-transfer-data-to-cloud-account](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1537) 
## Goal{% #goal %}

Detect when an attempt to export Cloud SQL instance data to cloud storage occurs.

## Strategy{% #strategy %}

This rule monitors Google Cloud Audit Logs to determine when an attempt to export Cloud SQL instance data to cloud storage has occurred. A malicious actor who has already gained initial access may try to exfiltrate data by exporting Cloud SQL data to external cloud storage outside of the compromised organization.

**Notes:**

- This rule triggers with a `Medium` severity when this activity originates from an anonymizing proxy.

## Triage and response{% #triage-and-response %}

1. Reach out to the user or owner of the service account to determine if this action is legitimate.
1. If the action is legitimate, consider including the IP address or ASN in a suppression list. See this article on [Best practices for creating detection rules with Datadog Cloud SIEM](https://www.datadoghq.com/blog/writing-datadog-security-detection-rules/#fine-tune-security-signals-to-reduce-noise) for more information.
1. Otherwise, use the Cloud SIEM - IP Investigation dashboard to see if the IP address: `{{@network.client.ip}}` has taken other actions.
1. If the results of the triage indicate that a malicious actor has taken the action, begin your company's Incident Response process and investigate.

## Changelog{% #changelog %}

- 25 September 2024 - Updated query to replace attribute `@threat_intel.results.category:anonymizer`.