Businesses need to consider who is responsible for security in the public cloud as they deploy more workloads and use cloud-based IT infrastructure, platform services, and applications. In Gartner’s report on integrated IaaS and PaaS security, analysts discuss the benefits of adopting a cloud-native approach to IT security, defining it as a modular, microservices-based architecture using containers, orchestrated services, and APIs.
While the public cloud offers many benefits, it also presents security risks that organizations need to address. Cloud security involves technologies and techniques that prevent and mitigate cyber threats to an organization’s assets. Implementing cloud security is crucial for supporting digital transformations and protecting data and applications stored off-premise.
Threat intelligence plays a key role in public cloud security, with targeted reconnaissance helping to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s perimeter and cloud services. Incorporating AI and machine learning can enhance data protection in the cloud by providing automation, faster decision-making, and improved threat detection.
Traditional identity management approaches may fall short in cloud environments, leading security experts to recommend focusing on user identities and establishing alerts for anomalous behavior. Additionally, organizations need to understand the shared responsibility model in the cloud, where cloud providers are responsible for certain elements of security. Engaging with governance, risk, and compliance teams early on can help ensure a comprehensive incident response plan.
Overall, cloud security requires a different approach than traditional security measures, with a focus on dynamic incident response strategies, automation, collaboration, and identity-centric security. By adapting to the unique challenges of the cloud, organizations can better protect their assets and respond effectively to emerging threats.