Misconfigurations and limited visibility are the primary cloud concerns for enterprises, according to a recent study conducted by CyberRisk Alliance Business Intelligence. The report reveals a wealth of data points indicating growing business opportunities for both managed services providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) in the near future.
The State of Cloud Security 2024 report highlights that only 27% of survey respondents manage their own cloud infrastructure, with 8% fully outsourcing the job. Additionally, 64% of organizations use a hybrid approach to cloud management, collaborating with cloud providers on security measures.
The study underscores the potential for hundreds of MSPs and MSSPs eager to adopt advanced cloud security strategies. Recent examples of these efforts include:
- Rubrik, which unveiled Rubrik Security Cloud in May to help organizations proactively combat cyberattacks.
- Aqua Security, which released its Real-Time CSPM (cloud security posture management) solution earlier this year to help practitioners identify, prioritize, and remediate cloud security risks.
- Parablu, which signed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft in May to co-sell its BluVault and Ransomware Defense Suite SaaS offerings.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents to the CRA Business Intelligence survey rated their cloud security proficiency as non-existent, beginner, or developing. Only 53% considered their proficiency as competent, advanced, or expert. Survey respondents also weighed in on the impact of advanced artificial intelligence on cloud security, with over 62% believing that AI will positively influence cloud security. However, concerns about data privacy and the longevity of vendor tools remain.
The report suggests a multi-faceted approach, encompassing governance, third-party risk management, and AI-driven solutions, as essential for addressing the evolving threat landscape and aligning strategies with customer needs. Access controls and access management are the top cloud security practices used by organizations.
A survey respondent noted, “Identity is usually the entry point for hackers to get into your system. They send out phishing or social engineering attempts to get identity, and if they do, they can get away with pretty much whatever they want. So we’re looking hard at identity and access management tools right now.”
Other in-demand cloud security practices include encryption or tokenization, employee awareness and training, security services offered natively by the cloud provider, and zero-trust network access. The increasing complexity of multi-cloud deployments necessitates sophisticated and integrated security solutions to enhance visibility and manage third-party risks effectively.
The study concludes that by leveraging AI and adopting comprehensive security measures, service providers can help their clients navigate the complex cloud security landscape, ensuring robust protection against evolving threats. Organizations must stay vigilant and proactive in their cloud security strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
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Abdul Rehman
Abdul is a tech-savvy, coffee-fueled, and creatively driven marketer who loves keeping up with the latest software updates and tech gadgets. He's also a skilled technical writer who can explain complex concepts simply for a broad audience. Abdul enjoys sharing his knowledge of the Cloud industry through user manuals, documentation, and blog posts.
