Why Cloud Security Alone is Not Enough for Enterprises

Traditional and off-the-shelf security tools for the cloud may lull organisations into a false sense of being safe from cyber threats. This first article in the two-part series explains why organisations must develop an enterprise cloud security governance strategy’.

-  Arun Karthik Dharmalingam

This famous quote highlights the significant threat of cyber attacks in today’s digital landscape. Despite the cloud’s advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability, it introduces new challenges in managing cyber risks. Extending traditional security approaches to the cloud or relying solely on tools or cloud-native security services may not adequately tackle the dynamic nature of modern threats.

Misconfigurations and vulnerabilities in cloud environments are more critical, as they directly expose attack vectors over the internet, which can lead to potential security breaches. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a proactive approach and a comprehensive strategy that encompasses compliance requirements, risk mitigation, threat detection, and incident response customised to the unique needs of each organisation.

Each enterprise has distinct security needs influenced by factors such as business type, demographics, regulatory obligations, threat landscape, et al. A traditional one-size-fits-all security approach may not adequately address specific requirements. While cloud platforms offer native security services and best practices, depending solely on them without a customised strategy tailored to the organisation’s unique characteristics may lead to a fragmented security posture across the enterprise.