• 15 September, 2025
• No Comments

Why Cloud Security Looks Different Now

Over the next few years, cloud computing will continue to evolve from being an innovation facilitator to a business disruptor and, ultimately, a business necessity according to Gartner, Inc.

The “cloud” isn’t floating in the sky, it’s powerful remote servers you access over the internet, giving you flexibility and easy scalability beyond traditional computers.

But this accessibility also opens doors for cyber threats. Protecting the cloud is complex because it’s constantly changing, and attackers exploit hidden gaps, especially as businesses use multiple cloud providers.

Managing cloud risks means knowing where attackers focus most and building a strong program that helps SecOps and DevOps teams work together smoothly. Today, cloud security isn’t just a separate focus, it’s embedded everywhere, protecting not only the cloud but also the AI and apps running within it. This shift shows that security is becoming a shared responsibility across all teams.

What is Cloud Security?

Cloud security is the practice of protecting data, systems, and operations in cloud environments, mainly the public cloud. It focuses on securing both the cloud platform itself and everything built inside it but doesn’t include security tools delivered from thecloud to protect external systems.

Who’s Responsible for Cloud Security?

Cloud providers work hard to secure their platforms, but customers also play a key role. Providers protect the cloud infrastructure, but customers must secure their data, access controls, and how they use the service.

Responsibilities vary by cloud type:

• SaaS: Customers secure their data and user access.
• PaaS: Customers secure data, user access, and applications.
• IaaS: Customers secure data, user access, apps, operating systems, and network traffic.

Within all types of public cloud services, customers are responsible for securing their data and controlling who can access that data.

Key Challenges in Cloud Security

Storing data in the public cloud, managed by third parties and accessed over the internet, creates unique security challenges:

• Limited Visibility: Cloud services are often accessed outside corporate networks on unmanaged devices, making it harder for IT to monitor data compared to traditional networks.
• Compliance Complexity: Cloud environments must meet various regulatory and internal standards, covering both provider infrastructure and integrations.
• Cloud-Native Breaches: Attackers exploit cloud-specific vulnerabilities and misconfigurations without using malware to access and steal data.
• Misconfiguration Risks: Most cloud misconfigurations go unnoticed, often serving as entry points for breaches.
• Disaster Recovery: Plans are essential to recover quickly from cloud security incidents and keep operations running.

Have you ever wondered how many cloud misconfigurations go unnoticed in your organization? A simple overlooked setting could open the door to attackers without any malware involved.

Your Cloud Security Blueprint: How to Gain Visibility, Control Access, and Stay Compliant

When it comes to cloud security, organizations face two core challenges:

Visibility: Understanding Your Cloud Environment

• Data Visibility: Identify what data you have, where it lives, how it’s being accessed, and who it’s being shared with.
• Security Posture: Use tools like CSPM to continuously detect misconfigurations, compliance issues, and vulnerabilities across your cloud environment.

Control: Protecting Your Cloud Data and Access

Once you gain clear visibility into your cloud environment, the next essential step is control setting policies and safeguards to protect data and manage who can do what.

• Data classification: Label data as sensitive, regulated, or public to manage how it flows.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Automatically block unauthorized access or transfers if something suspicious happens.
• Collaboration controls: Manage who can view or edit files, and control shared links.
• Encryption: Protect data so even if stolen, it can’t be read without permission.
• Access Managment with CASB: CASB acts as a security checkpoint between your users and the cloud. It helps monitor activity, enforce security policies, and block unauthorized behavior in real time.

Bringing It Together with CNAPP: Your End-to-End Cloud Protectio

As cloud environments grow more complex, visibility and control must extend across the entire application lifecycle — from development to deployment and runtime.

This is where CNAPP comes in. It offers a unified solution that brings together:

• CSPM – Detects and fixes misconfigurations and compliance issues across cloud infrastructure.
• CIEM – Manages cloud identity permissions and enforces least-privilege access.
• IAM – Authenticates users and governs access to cloud resources securely.
• CWPP – Protects workloads like VMs, containers, and serverless apps at runtime.
• Data Protection – Encrypts, monitors, and restricts access to sensitive data across cloud environments.
• DevSecOps Integration – Scans source code and IaC to catch vulnerabilitiesearly in the development cycle.

Together, they provide full-spectrum protection for your IaaS, PaaS, and cloud-native applications all in one integrated platform.

How Compliance and Risk Complete Your Cloud Security Strategy

To stay compliant and reduce regulatory risk:

• Updating risk assessments to include cloud-specific issues.
• Regularly reviewing compliance for standards like PCI, HIPAA, or Sarbanes Oxley.
• Ensure cloud providers and infrastructure are part of your compliance checks.

The Future of Cloud & its Security: From Innovation to Business Essential

Cloud is no longer just an IT choice, it’s critical for business success. As companies invest more in cloud technology, securing that cloud becomes vital to protect data, manage risks, and support innovation like AI and automation. The winners will be those who secure their cloud well and embrace it as a core part of their strategy.

Get ready: Cloud isn’t the future anymore, it’s the foundation.