The Growing Need For Cloud Security

2022-05-20 08:13:49 • Vivek Mathur

Now more than ever, enterprises feel the need to embrace the "cloud-first" approach forced by the twin impacts of digitalization and changing business dynamics. The changed circumstances, largely initiated by the pandemic, necessitated the rapid mass adoption of new applications, IT systems, all operating in a complex multi-cloud environment. The realm of modern cloud environment is expanding the possibilities for businesses to innovate and transform at an unprecedented speed and scale.

However, there is an added dimension to it. Growing digitalization and increasing reliance on connected systems also pose a significant security risk for enterprise security.

Modern Cloud Security Threats: Is Your Business Prepared?

Cloud adoption allows organizations to provide access to data from anywhere, anytime, facilitating the rise of Workspace 2.0, a kind of hybrid workplace. This led to the explosion of enterprise data, integrated devices & servers working in sync in the hyperconnected infrastructure, leading to the rise of agile, scalable and more responsive enterprises.

But it also widened the gaps with on-premise security solutions. Data breaches, account hijacking, inadequate control, and insecure application program interfaces (APIs) are just a few ways cloud security can be compromised. The leakage of sensitive information is a significant concern for enterprises nowadays. Cybercriminals usually try to exploit the security chinks in the cloud ecosystem to gain information from their target organization’s network.

Needless to say, protecting core digital assets from multiple threat vectors that include endpoints, networks, email, and business-critical data is now more than ever.

Greater Need For Information Protection

Users nowadays are accessing corporate data from their corporate or personal devices, as well as from cloud apps, home offices, and airport kiosks; they are going to local coffee shops and connecting to public Wi-Fi to directly access cloud-native applications. However, with rising sophistication of cloud-driven infrastructure, security landscape needs to evolve. Having a piecemeal approach to cloud security cannot work. The need for information protection nowadays is even more as the cost of data leakage can be huge. The following data-points reflects the gravity of the situation:

The average cost of a data-breach is high.

88% of organizations lack confidence to identify and prevent loss of business-critical data.

63% of organizations fear data leakage or spillage in the remote working environment (source).

Enterprise leaders now need to answer an array of competing priorities to reap the full advantage of the cloud-driven digital ecosystem.

Staying Compliant: An Emerging Challenge

Due to increasing instances of data theft, regulatory agencies across the world have become overly sensitive. They are trying to enforce guidelines, policies and practices to protect people’s data and improve the overall security environment.

A number of regulatory frameworks, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), along with multiple local laws govern how organizations should manage and protect sensitive data. Non-compliance with these laws and regulations may attract hefty fines.

Closing Thoughts

While migrating to cloud, companies become hyper-focused towards benefits it offers and they ignore a critical aspect like security. The truth is cloud security is entirely a different ballgame altogether and it requires a thorough attention.

 

Looking to explore cloud solutions with adequate security, information protection and governance? The Cloud Factory has extensive experience in implementing Microsoft 365 solutions. If you have questions or would like to discuss cloud solutions, you can reach out to us at hello@tcf.cloud and we will be happy to assist you.