The anticipated 20% surge in global cloud spending for 2024 underscores the rapid adoption of cloud solutions. The cloud-first approach poses new and complex security challenges. Experts predict a rise in sophisticated cyberattacks targeting cloud architecture and infrastructure vulnerabilities in 2024. Cloud security trends like AI-powered threat detection, Zero Trust principles for access control, robust encryption, and others can help you optimize your cloud security.
6 cloud security trends in 2024
Cloud breaches are increasing at a concerning rate, jumping from 35% to 39% in just one year, according to Thales. Notably, 75% of businesses reported over 40% of their cloud data as sensitive, compared to 49% the previous year. Consequently, organizations seek out reliable solutions to ensure their data remains protected. Understanding these six key cloud security trends is essential to securing your cloud against targeted attacks.
1. Implementing Zero Trust model
Zero Trust is a cybersecurity model that breaks away from the traditional "perimeter defense" by constantly verifying users, devices, and applications before granting access to network resources, irrespective of their location or perceived level of trust. While advocated for by the US government and others since 2010, widespread implementation of Zero Trust architecture has yet to be fully realized.
Notably, adopting Zero Trust principles has been more successful in cloud architecture, primarily among cloud service providers (CSPs). The reasons why CSPs have a significant advantage over traditional hardware and software vendors in implementing Zero Trust are:
- Control over software stack: CSPs have full control over their software stack, eliminating the need for separate network monitoring, multifactor authentication, and OS monitoring. They integrate, coordinate, and correlate everything within their stack.
- Control over hardware stack: CSPs often build their hardware, including CPUs and network devices, allowing them to control the entire hardware stack. This integration streamlines security measures.
- Close monitoring of entry points: All activities are closely monitored when users connect to a CSP. This vigilant monitoring enables CSPs to detect anomalous behavior promptly, potentially identifying breaches before their clients.
The traditional approach to network perimeter security doesn't provide the best protection today. With traditional on-premises vendors challenged to offer comprehensive Zero Trust, organizations should consider migrating to cloud service providers' advanced, pre-built solutions. A robust architecture delivers more than just security: it saves money by preventing data breaches, simplifies compliance, and grants ultimate control over your cloud environment. The global Zero Trust market will reach approximately $60B by 2027, according to Statista.
2. AI's increasing role in securing cloud environments
The rising popularity of cloud computing has introduced both opportunity and risk. While businesses enjoy efficiency and cost savings, cloud environments' distributed nature and complexity create expanded attack surfaces and vulnerabilities. AI and ML are emerging as powerful tools in response to these evolving challenges. Their ability to analyze vast datasets at high speeds offers significant advantages in detecting and mitigating threats:
- Enhanced threat detection and prevention: Real-time analysis of massive datasets allows AI and ML to identify abnormal behavior indicative of cyber threats. By recognizing attack patterns faster than humans can, these systems can prevent potential breaches before they occur.
- Proactive behavioral analysis: ML algorithms establish baselines of normal user behavior, enabling them to detect deviations that might signify unauthorized access or insider threats. This proactive approach offers increased vigilance against internal risks.
- Automated response: Upon threat detection, AI-powered systems can take immediate action. This might involve isolating compromised systems, blocking suspicious IP addresses, or quarantining malware, offering rapid response capabilities.
- Predictive security measures: Machine Learning models leverage historical data to predict future attack trends. This predictive analysis empowers organizations to implement security measures ahead of potential threats proactively.
Security AI and automation proved to be a wise investment in 2023, delivering a significant return on investment. Organizations using these tools extensively saw a 108-day reduction in breach response time and reported cost savings of $1.76M.
With hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft investing a staggering $42B combined in just three months (Q3 2023), it's clear: AI for the cloud isn't just an item on a list of various cloud security trends; it's a key driver of progress. Although AI is becoming more widespread and accessible, it also exposes cloud computing to a wider range of security risks. Google's Secure AI Framework (SAIF) and NIST's AI risk management framework offer valuable principles for safeguarding cloud-based AI. Implementing these principles ensures trustworthy models, minimizes vulnerabilities, and enables organizations to realize AI's potential while minimizing risk.
3. Cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA)
Cybersecurity mesh is a defense strategy that secures each device independently, utilizing its perimeter, such as firewalls and network protection tools. Unlike traditional security practices that rely on a single perimeter for the entire IT environment, cybersecurity mesh employs a holistic approach. Coined by Gartner as "security mesh architecture" (CSMA), this concept is crucial as more assets are migrated into multi-cloud environments, making it easier for attackers to access them. It emphasizes viewing security as a platform where all components work together seamlessly.
CSMA enables organizations to reduce vendor footprint while deploying best-in-class solutions through integration. It represents a significant shift from traditional perimeter-based security models toward a decentralized, device-centric approach to network security.
CSMA helps organizations establish a multi-layer defense against cyber threats, making it more challenging for attackers to breach the network. As cyber threats escalate, shifting from traditional perimeter security to a device-centric model will become the new standard for a secure and adaptive cloud environment. The global cybersecurity mesh market is projected to grow from $0.9B in 2023 to $2.6B by 2027 at a CAGR of 28.6%.
4. Secure access server edge (SASE)
SASE consolidates network and security functions into a single, cloud-delivered service. Driven by the rise of remote workforces and cloud adoption, SASE promises reduced costs, streamlined management, and improved performance by replacing traditional "hub and spoke" architectures with secure access regardless of user location. Comprised of components like Secure Web Gateway, Firewall as a Service, and Zero Trust Network Access, SASE offers benefits like lower costs, enhanced security, and optimized staff workloads.
Gartner predicts a surge in SASE/SSE adoption, estimating that by 2025, 80% of enterprises will have a strategy to unify web, cloud, and private app access through this architecture, representing a significant increase from just 20% in 2021. Accordingly, the global SASE market size was valued at $5.45B in 2022 and is expected to reach $14.81B by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.15%.
5. Automation of DevSecOps
While DevSecOps already emphasizes making security a shared responsibility among developers, operational teams, and security teams, DevSecOps automation further empowers everyone involved by providing the necessary tools to ensure secure code and configurations without requiring everyone to become security specialists. It involves automating security integration into DevOps, continuous integration, and continuous deployment pipelines, significantly reducing errors that may occur during manual security analysis.
The application security market, including DevSecOps automation solutions, is experiencing rapid growth. It is estimated to reach $11.62B in 2024 and is projected to more than double by 2029, reaching $25.92B, reflecting the increasing importance placed on securing applications in the software development lifecycle. This trend aligns perfectly with the broader shift towards proactive security, a key theme in cloud security trends, as it enables teams to build security into the software development lifecycle from the very beginning.
6. Cloud-native protection platforms (CNAPPs) and tools
The cloud-native platform market is on the rise, projected to reach $35B by 2030, a fivefold increase driven by 20% annual growth. CNAPPs are still relatively new, but they are gaining traction as companies embrace cloud-native development and seek better ways to secure their applications. Traditionally, companies used isolated tools for security tasks, like scanning code or managing cloud postures. CNAPPs combine these functions into one platform, making it easier to see the bigger picture and manage security holistically. The cloud-native application protection platform market was valued at $7.8B in 2022 and is expected to reach $19.3B by 2027, representing a growth of nearly 20%. This growth is driven by the surging adoption of cloud-based solutions across various industries.
Read more: 8 cloud computing trends reshaping the industry in 2024
Wrap-up
Gartner's prediction of significant cloud migration by 2028, with 70% of tech workloads shifting from 25%, reflects a key theme in cloud security trends: the need for proactive and holistic security measures. Secure this journey with Zero Trust, the holistic shield for cloud-native apps and infrastructure. Use CNAPPs to unify robust security and DevSecOps automation to weave it into development, eliminating vulnerabilities. Remember that CSMA's decentralized approach strengthens defenses, and SASE simplifies management and access. Partner with experts to implement these essential tools and build your secure, adaptable cloud fortress.
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