? EDITOR ’ S QUESTION //
“
DATA SECURITY BREACHES NOW
RANK AS THE MOST COMMON CLOUD SECURITY INCIDENT , REPORTED BY 21 % OF
ORGANISATIONS .
Ram Narayanan
Every month , we pose industry experts a question pertinent to the issues of the day . This month . . . .
Ram Narayanan , Country Manager at Check Point Software Technologies , Middle East , kicks off this month ’ s Editor ’ s Question below , focusing on cloud data protection .
VERY ORGANISATION HAS
E serious concerns about data protection , but small- and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) with little budgets should take particular notice . According to Check Point Software ’ s 2024 Cloud Security Report , cloud security incidents have surged , with 61 % of organisations reporting breaches in the past year . This alarming trend underscores the ever-increasing risk in cloud environments and highlights the urgent need for robust data protection strategies .
For SMEs , adopting a preventive-first approach to securing the cloud is essential . Despite the rising incidence of breaches , only 21 % of organisations prioritise preventive measures . Taking a proactive stance on security can pre-empt potential threats . SMEs should leverage advanced security solutions , particularly those incorporating Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), to predict and prevent attacks . AI-powered Web Application Firewalls ( WAFs ) are crucial , offering immediate protection against zero-day exploits without relying on signature-based detection .
Data security breaches now rank as the most common cloud security incident , reported by 21 % of organisations . To safeguard sensitive data , SMEs should focus on Cloud Security Posture Management ( CSPM ) and Data Security Posture Management ( DSPM ). These tools enable effective policy management , control identification of misconfigurations and provide real-time visibility into stored sensitive data , its accessibility and usage . This
WHAT BEST PRACTICE TIPS CAN YOU OFFER FOR CLOUD DATA PROTECTION , PARTICULARLY FOR SMES ? is especially critical given the rising misuse of cloud services and configuration errors .
Other than that , organisations should consider advanced network security solutions that scale with their cloud infrastructure . These solutions should seamlessly integrate and offer comprehensive protection , supporting both macro- and microsegmentation and unified policy management across cloud platforms . Incorporating AI into these systems enhances detection and prevention capabilities against sophisticated cyberthreats , including zero-day attacks .
The integration of a Cloud Native Application Protection Platform ( CNAPP ) proves highly valuable for SMEs , offering a unified approach to securing the cloud . CNAPP solutions consolidate Cloud Security Posture Management , Cloud Workload Protection , Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management , Cloud Detection and Response and Code Security . This integration streamlines security processes , reducing manual inefficiencies and enhancing overall protection .
Finally , to address the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals , organisations should invest in advanced training and development for existing staff to bridge the skills gap . Additionally , consulting services can aid in integrating security solutions across various tools and platforms , optimising resource utilisation . SMEs can also benefit from managed CNAPP services , seamlessly integrating with their IT and InfoSec operations to enhance monitoring , configuration , policy tuning , incident management and troubleshooting . This holistic approach compensates for the shortage of skilled personnel and ensures continuous protection .
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