2024

Cloud Security
Report
 Introduction
In an era where cloud computing has become the backbone of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity
professionals and organizations face a continuously evolving threat landscape. These challenges
are diverse, encompassing everything from securing multi-cloud environments and ensuring
data protection to mitigating cloud-specific vulnerabilities. But they also highlight a pronounced
skills gap in the cybersecurity workforce. As the complexity of cloud ecosystems expands, so
does the need for advanced, cloud-centric cybersecurity strategies and skills.

Against this backdrop, the 2024 Cloud Security Report, developed in partnership with ISC2 — a
cybersecurity training and certification leader — provides an in-depth analysis of current cloud
security trends, challenges, and organizational responses.

Key findings include:

• Cloud Concerns: 96% of organizations express apprehension about public cloud security, a
clear indicator of the pervasive concern over cloud vulnerabilities.
• Multi-Cloud Challenges: Securing multi-cloud environments is identified as a primary
challenge by 55% of respondents, emphasizing the critical need for skills in data protection
and seamless cloud integration.
• Simplification Strategy: The survey underscores the need to reduce security solution
complexity, with 69% of organizations depending on three or more separate security
solutions to manage their cloud security.
• Barriers to Adoption: Key obstacles in cloud security adoption include budget constraints
(48%), a lack of skilled staff (45%), and data privacy concerns (40%), highlighting the
indispensable role of targeted training and certification.
• Skills Gap: The report underscores a significant cybersecurity skills gap, with 93% of
participants concerned about the shortage of qualified professionals in the field.

We sincerely thank ISC2 for their support and partnership in this important research. Their
dedication to fostering a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce through top-tier training and
certification programs is crucial in addressing the sophisticated security challenges presented
by modern cloud computing.

We hope that the insights and data presented in this report will prove valuable to cybersecurity
professionals as you strive to protect your cloud environments against evolving threats.

Thank you,

Holger Schulze
Founder, Cybersecurity Insiders

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 2
 Cloud Security Concerns
The prevailing concern among IT and cybersecurity professionals regarding cloud security
highlights the significant vulnerabilities inherent in today’s digital operations. Our survey reveals a
notable 96% of respondents express significant concern for security within public clouds, a slight
increase from 95% in 2023. This near-universal apprehension reflects an acute awareness of the
complex threats facing cloud infrastructures.

In response, it’s imperative for organizations to adopt advanced security measures and
comprehensive risk management strategies. Prioritizing the deployment of innovative security
technologies and enhancing monitoring capabilities are essential steps to fortify defenses against
the nuanced challenges of public cloud ecosystems.

How concerned are you about the security of public clouds?

96%
of organizations are moderately to extremely
concerned about cloud security

41%
37%

18%
3% 1%
Extremely Very Moderately Slightly Not at all
concerned concerned concerned concerned concerned

This sustained focus underscores the importance of continuous education in cloud security and
the development of adaptive solutions capable of responding to the rapidly changing dynamics
of multi-cloud environments and associated threats. Therefore, organizations must elevate cloud
security as a strategic imperative, investing in robust protection mechanisms and ongoing training
to ensure the integrity of their cloud operations.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 3
 Tackling Multi-Cloud Hurdles
As companies increasingly leverage multiple cloud services, the challenge of maintaining security
across diverse platforms becomes more acute. In 2024, securing multi-cloud environments remains
a complex task, with data protection and privacy leading as the primary concern, highlighted by
55% of survey participants. This represents a slight increase from 52% observed in 2023, signaling
a growing awareness and concern for safeguarding information across disparate cloud platforms.

The challenge of possessing the right skills for deploying and managing solutions across all cloud
environments follows closely, although it has seen a decrease from 58% in 2023 to 51% in 2024. This
drop could indicate an improvement in training or a shift in focus towards other emerging issues.

Understanding how different solutions integrate (47%) remains at the number three spot, suggesting
a continued emphasis on the cohesion of cloud services. Similarly, the challenge of understanding
service integration options (44%) reflects the complexities of ensuring seamless operation across
cloud environments. The management of costs associated with different cloud security solutions
has seen a significant rise in concern, from 37% in 2023 to 42% in 2024, likely reflecting both budget
constraints and the increasing financial implications of multi-cloud strategies.

What are your biggest challenges securing multi-cloud environments?

Ensuring data protection and

55% privacy for each environment

Having the right skills to deploy and manage a

51% complete solution across all cloud environments

Understanding how different

47% solutions fit together

Understanding service
44% integration options

42% Managing the costs of

different solutions

Addressing these challenges starts with enhancing professional skills through targeted education
and certifications. It’s crucial for companies to develop integrated security strategies that focus on
data protection and the seamless interplay of cloud services. By equipping teams with the right
expertise and frameworks, organizations can ensure a more secure, efficient multi-cloud ecosystem.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 4
 Simplifying Cloud Security Solutions
The integration and management of security solutions within cloud infrastructures are pivotal for
maintaining organizational agility and safeguarding assets. This survey question sheds light on
the operational complexity of handling multiple security solutions, which is a key concern for IT
and cybersecurity professionals navigating the multi-cloud environments discussed previously.

About two thirds of users (69%) must access three or more separate security solutions to
configure their enterprise’s cloud policies. More than a third of respondents (36%), report utilizing
3-4 separate security solutions in their operations.

The data also shows a significant portion (31%) using only 1-2 solutions, up from 28% in 2023, confirming
the consolidation trend. This is down from 41% in 2023, suggesting a trend towards simplification
and integration of security functionalities to reduce the complexity and potential for inefficiency in
managing a diverse set of tools. However, a notable 21% are managing 5-6 solutions (up from 20% in
2023), indicating a high complexity and potential challenges in ensuring seamless security operations.

How many separate security solutions do your users have to access to

configure the policies that secure your enterprise's entire cloud footprint?

+
69%
of organizations depend on at least 3
separate security solutions to manage
cloud security across their enterprise

31% 36% 21% 7% 5%

1-2 3-4 5-6 7-10 11+
Security solutions to configure policies

Fragmentation in security tools can lead to increased complexity and potential gaps in cloud
protection. Security professionals also struggle to keep up with requirements and alerts, making
it harder for security to be more proactive. This challenge underscores the importance of
strategic consolidation and optimization of security tools to enhance efficiency and efficacy.
For organizations, this means prioritizing the adoption of integrated security platforms that
can provide comprehensive protection without the overhead of managing numerous disparate
solutions. Such a shift can not only streamline security operations but also improve response
times and reduce potential gaps in defense strategies, aligning with the need for robust data
protection and skilled management in multi-cloud environments. ​

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 5
 Transitioning to Cloud-Based Security Solutions
As organizations deepen their engagement and investment in cloud computing, transitioning to
cloud-based security solutions introduces a distinct set of challenges. Leading the list of barriers is
budget constraints, cited by 48% of respondents as a main hurdle, up from the second ranked barrier
in 2023 (44%). This underscores the heightened scrutiny for technology investments and the need for
performing detailed cost-benefit analysis to justify additional cloud security investments.

Close behind, 45% indicate a lack of staff expertise and training as a significant barrier. This points to
the critical need for organizations to invest in ongoing education and professional development to
equip their teams with the necessary cloud security skills. Data privacy concerns, highlighted by 40%,
remains a pressing issue (up from 38% in 2023), reflecting ongoing apprehensions about securing
sensitive information within cloud environments. This concern necessitates robust data protection
measures and privacy-centric cloud security solutions. Compliance with regulatory requirements,
cited by 35%, emphasizes the importance of navigating legal and industry standards in cloud security
practices, pointing to the need for solutions that can adapt to diverse regulatory landscapes.

What are the main barriers to migrating to cloud-based security solutions?

40%
Data privacy
35%
45% Regulatory compliance
Staff expertise/
training
3 requirements

4
2 35%
Lack of integration
5 with on-premises
security technologies

48%
Budget 1 6
32%
Data residency

These findings suggest that overcoming barriers to cloud security adoption requires a multifaceted
strategy encompassing financial, technical, educational, and strategic dimensions. Organizations
must prioritize investments in staff training, select adaptable and compliant cloud security solutions,
and navigate financial and operational considerations to ensure a secure, efficient transition to
cloud-based security technologies. Emphasizing the development of a skilled workforce capable
of managing modern security architectures can significantly smooth the transition, ensuring that
cloud migrations enhance, rather than endanger, organizational security.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 6
 Cloud Strategy Preferences
The strategic selection of cloud deployment models is a pivotal decision for organizations,
influencing operational flexibility, data security, and technology integration. This decision ties
back to the challenges of cloud migration, where considerations around data privacy, budget,
and expertise play significant roles in shaping cloud strategies.

The survey reveals a preference for hybrid cloud models, with 43% of respondents adopting this
approach, indicating its appeal in offering both the scalability of public clouds and the control of
private clouds. Following this, 35% of organizations favor a multi-cloud strategy, leveraging the
strengths of various cloud providers to optimize performance and reduce dependency on a single
vendor. A smaller segment, 22%, opts for a single cloud service, highlighting a streamlined approach
that may offer simplicity and ease of management but potentially limits flexibility and redundancy.

What is your organization's primary strategy for cloud deployment?

78%
of organizations
use a multi-cloud or 43%
Hybrid
hybrid environment cloud

35%
Multi-cloud

22%
Single cloud

These preferences underscore the need for organizations to carefully consider their cloud
strategies based on their specific operational needs, security requirements, and technological
landscapes. Embracing a hybrid or multi-cloud strategy requires a robust framework for managing
complexity, ensuring data protection across environments, and a broader skill within security
teams. It also suggests a move towards embracing cloud diversity, driven by the need for agility,
resilience, and cost optimization in digital transformation efforts.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 7
 Barriers to Advancing Cloud Maturity
For organizations already utilizing cloud computing, the journey towards deepening and optimizing
their cloud strategies presents unique challenges. This shift from initial adoption to continued
enhancement and integration of additional cloud services underscores a maturation process that
requires a strategic approach to overcome inherent barriers.

Security and compliance concerns remain paramount, identified by 59% of respondents, as growing
cloud footprints magnify the complexity of maintaining a robust security posture across increasingly
diverse environments.

Technical challenges related to integration with existing infrastructure, noted by 52%, points to the
necessity for more sophisticated approaches to system interoperability and data management
as cloud utilization scales. Additionally, the resource constraint of finding adequately skilled staff,
a challenge for 49% of organizations, signals a critical need for focused investment in talent
development and expertise in advanced cloud technologies.

What are the primary barriers to cloud adoption in your organization?

52%
Technical
49%
Resource
challenges constraints

59%
Security and
49%
Organizational
compliance and operational
concerns factors

To successfully navigate these challenges, organizations with established cloud operations should
prioritize fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, investing in advanced
training and certification programs for their teams. Embracing cutting-edge cloud security and
management tools that offer greater flexibility, automation, and integration capabilities can
address technical and security challenges as well as compensate for the continued skill shortage.

Moreover, developing a strategic roadmap that includes regular evaluations of cloud services and
vendors will ensure that cloud strategies remain aligned with organizational goals and industry
best practices, thereby facilitating a seamless evolution in the cloud maturity journey.

Cloud service concerns 28% | Provider related issues and legalities 27%

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 8
 Expanding Cloud Footprints
As organizations continue to evolve their cloud strategies, understanding the distribution of
workloads across cloud environments offers key insights into their operational and security
postures. In our survey, 34% of organizations are operating more than half of their workloads in
the cloud, indicating an increasing maturity in the use of cloud computing. A significant portion
of respondents (39%) only host up to 25% of their workloads in the cloud, suggesting a cautious
or early-stage approach to cloud migration.

Meanwhile, 27% of participants have moved a more considerable portion, 26-50% of their
workloads, to the cloud (up from 25% in 2023), reflecting a deeper commitment to cloud
computing. 19% of organizations operate 51-75% of their workloads in cloud environments, and
15% exceed the 75% mark.

What percentage of your workloads are in the cloud today vs last year?

2023 2024
Up to 25%

36% 39%
26%-50%

25% 27%
51%-75%

39%
were running
20% 19%
34%
are running
more than
+75% more than
50% of workloads
in the cloud 19% 15% 50% of workloads
in the cloud

Share of workloads in the cloud

This progression towards higher cloud workload percentages underscores the need for ongoing
transition within the cybersecurity landscape, necessitating advanced security strategies and
solutions that can adapt to the complexities of cloud environments. It also highlights the need
for robust skill development programs and strategic planning to manage the growing reliance on
cloud services effectively.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 9
 Securing Software from Conception to Deployment
As organizations mature in their cloud computing journey, the focus on securing software
development processes intensifies, an aspect that’s crucial for maintaining robust security postures
in cloud-native and multi-cloud environments. This focus increasingly includes the integration of
sound security practices within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the adoption of
robust DevSecOps principles, reflecting a holistic approach to embedding security into the fabric
of software development and operations.

Our survey reveals a diverse application of security practices across different stages of the SDLC.
Notably, 24% of respondents emphasize initial planning and analysis as the key phase for security
integration, highlighting the trend towards “security by design.” However, a significant portion
(21%) focuses on the design phase for early integration of security measures in the SDLC. Aligning
with best practices, 16% advocate for security integration throughout all stages, underscoring the
importance of a comprehensive, end-to-end security mindset.

At which stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) does your
organization primarily begin to integrate security measures?

16%
Security is integrated
24%
Initial planning
and analysis

5%
Maintenance and operations

4%
Deployment/release

9%
Testing and integration
21%
Design phase

8%
Development
and coding

Unsure or lack of informtion about the stage 13%

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 10
 DevSecOps Adoption
Parallel to the SDLC findings, the current position on DevSecOps adoption illustrates an evolving
cybersecurity landscape. DevSecOps is an approach that integrates security practices within the
DevOps process, aiming to build security into the software development lifecycle from inception
to deployment. This systematic approach enables organizations to deliver secure software faster
and more efficiently, reducing vulnerabilities and improving compliance, thereby aligning security
with the rapid pace of modern software development and cloud deployment.

An encouraging 21% of organizations have a comprehensive DevSecOps program in place, signifying a

mature approach to integrating security within development and operational workflows. Additionally,
36% are implementing DevSecOps in some parts of their organization, indicating growing recognition
of its value. Yet, the journey is far from uniform, with 26% considering DevSecOps adoption and a
combined 43% either uninterested, viewing DevSecOps as merely a buzzword, or unfamiliar with
the concept.

What is your organization’s current position on DevSecOps? (select all that apply)

DevSecOps in some parts of the organization 36%

We’re considering DevSecOps adoption 26%
I’m not familiar with DevSecOps 21%
Comprehensive DevSecOps program in place 21%
DevSecOps is just a novel word, it’s nothing new 13%
We’re not interested in DevSecOps adoption
11%

These insights suggest a pivotal shift in how organizations approach software security, moving
from traditional, siloed practices to more integrated, proactive security frameworks. The trend
towards DevSecOps and security integration across the SDLC not only enhances the security of
cloud-based workloads but also aligns with the broader goals of agility, efficiency, and resilience
in cloud computing strategies.

For organizations navigating the complexities of cloud security, the adoption of DevSecOps and
the embedding of security at every stage of the SDLC emerge as key strategies for mitigating risks
and fostering a culture of security-first thinking. This evolution in practice underscores the need
for continuous education, skill development, and strategic investment in security technologies
that support a more integrated and automated approach to securing software in the cloud era.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 11
 Streamlining Cloud Compliance
The task of maintaining regulatory and industry compliance in cloud environments underscores
the critical need for skilled personnel, continuous adaptation, and strategic use of automation.
A significant 48% of organizations pinpoint the lack of staff expertise as the primary hurdle,
stressing the importance of targeted education and skill development in cloud compliance.

Challenges such as continuously adapting to evolving compliance requirements and conducting

thorough audits resonate with 41% of respondents. These findings highlight the dynamic nature
of cloud compliance and the necessity for organizations to integrate continuous compliance
mechanisms throughout their cloud operations.

Which part of the cloud compliance process is the most challenging?

(select all that apply)

Lack of staff
expertise/knowledge

48%
Going through audit/risk assessment
41% within the cloud environment

41% Continuously staying in compliance

as cloud environments change

Monitoring for new vulnerabilities

40% in cloud services that must be secured

Monitoring for compliance with

39% policies and procedures

To navigate compliance, it’s essential for organizations to foster a culture of continuous learning,
automate compliance processes where possible, and ensure compliance practices are embedded
within the cloud deployment lifecycle. This strategy not only mitigates the risk of non-compliance
but also aligns with the broader objectives of agility and security in the cloud.

Staying up to date about new/changing compliance and regulatory requirements 38% | Data quality and integrity in regulatory
reporting 28% | Scaling and automating compliance activities 28% | Applying/following the shared responsibility model 24%

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 12
 Increasing Cloud Efficiency
Successful cloud cost management involves identifying and reducing inefficiencies, a challenge
that becomes increasingly complex as cloud environments grow.

Leading the factors contributing to cloud inefficiencies is the lack of knowledge or expertise
in cloud resource management, highlighted by 55% of participants. This gap not only leads to
suboptimal resource utilization but also underscores the importance of enhancing cloud literacy
and operational skills.

Similarly, 49% highlight poorly optimized cloud architectures, which can lead to overprovisioning—
another significant source of inefficiency noted by 40%. Related to this are idle resources, pointed
out by 47% of respondents—spending resources on unused or underutilized computing capacity.

Which factors contribute to cloud waste in your organization? (select all that apply)

Lack of knowledge
or expertise
55%
Poorly optimized
cloud architecture 49%

Idle resources 47%

Manual processes
leading to inefficiencies 42%
Inadequate monitoring
and management tools 42%
Overprovisioned
resources 40%
Non-compliance with
cloud best practices 37%

Mitigating cloud inefficiencies requires a strategic blend of education, precise monitoring, and
architectural optimization. Organizations should prioritize comprehensive training programs to
elevate their teams’ understanding of cloud resource management. Leveraging advanced monitoring
and management tools can also play a crucial role in identifying idle and overprovisioned resources,
enabling proactive adjustments.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 13
 Bridging the Cloud Security Skills Gap
The ongoing concern about the industry-wide shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is
evident among survey respondents, with a combined 93% of participants expressing high levels of
concern. Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap is vital to ensure robust cloud security and provide
robust defenses against evolving threats.

How concerned are you about the industry-wide skills shortage of qualified
cybersecurity professionals?

93%
are moderately to extremely concerned
about the industry-wide skills shortage
of qualified cybersecurity professionals

45%

26%
22%

5%
2%
Extremely Very Moderately Slightly Not at all
concerned concerned concerned concerned concerned

The security skills shortage not only impacts the ability to defend against cyber threats effectively
but also constrains organizations’ capacity to innovate and leverage cloud technologies fully. This
challenge is particularly critical given the nuances of cloud computing, which demands a unique
blend of skills encompassing security, architecture, and operations.

Is your organization experiencing a shortage in cybersecurity talent?

74% Yes 26% No

To combat this issue, a strategic approach focused on education, certification, and continuous
professional development is essential. Emphasizing certification in cloud security disciplines, creating
mentorship opportunities, and fostering a culture that values continuous learning can help mitigate the
skills gap. Moreover, organizations might consider more flexible staffing models, such as leveraging
external experts or adopting a managed security service approach, to bridge the immediate skills gap
while developing internal capabilities over the long term.​

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 14
 Cloud Competence: Perception Vs. Reality
The discrepancy between self-assessed cloud security competencies and market realities
suggests an optimistic view within many organizations. While a commendable 34% consider their
capabilities above average, this perspective may not fully align with the complex and evolving
nature of cloud security challenges. Recognizing the potential for overconfidence, it’s essential to
approach capability assessments with a blend of humility and strategic foresight. Education and
certification emerge as key tools in this context, offering a structured way to accurately evaluate,
benchmark, and expand cybersecurity competencies.

By aligning team skills with recognized standards and industry best practices, organizations can
ensure their self-assessments are rooted in reality. Furthermore, these pathways provide a clear
framework for continuous improvement, enabling teams to systematically address gaps and
fortify their cloud security posture with confidence and precision.
Below average

How would you rate your team’s overall security skills?

Above average

34%
53%
Average
13%
Below average

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 15
 Key Security Skills for the Cloud Era
The survey illuminates the cloud security skills most required in today’s cloud environments,
reflecting the complex demands of the cybersecurity landscape. Leading the essential skills,
cloud and application security emerges as a top priority with 60%, underscoring the critical
need for safeguarding cloud platforms and applications. Following closely, identity and access
management (IAM), emphasized by 59%, highlights the significance of controlling access to
maintain security integrity in cloud architectures. Skills in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC),
security monitoring, and threat intelligence reflect a balanced emphasis across diverse skill sets,
suggesting a comprehensive approach to cloud security talent development is crucial.

What are the most important security skills required in your organization?

Governance,
Identity risk, and
and access compliance Security
management monitoring and
operations
Cloud and Threat
application intelligence
security 58% and analysis
59% 57%
Technical and
advanced
57% security skills
60%
57%

This nuanced ranking highlights the need for strategic investment in training and certification,
enabling professionals to acquire a broad spectrum of competencies, which is crucial for navigating
the complexities of cloud security and reinforcing an organization’s resilience against evolving threats.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 16
 Cloud Security Certification Preferences
When plotting the course for cloud security certification, the preferences within the cybersecurity
community lean towards a balanced approach. A significant 49% of respondents favor a blend
of both vendor-specific and vendor-neutral certifications, reflecting a comprehensive strategy
for developing cloud security expertise. This mix allows professionals to gain deep insights into
specific platforms while also acquiring broad, universally-applicable security skills.

Interestingly, a third of participants (34%) prioritize vendor-neutral certifications (up from 29% in
2023), underscoring the value placed on broad, foundational knowledge that transcends specific
cloud environments. This approach aligns with the philosophy of building a versatile skill set
that prepares individuals for a variety of challenges across the varied cloud security landscape.
Meanwhile, 17% lean towards mostly vendor-specific certifications, which can provide deep,
technical understanding of particular cloud services, essential for organizations heavily invested
in specific cloud platforms.

When considering cloud security certification for yourself and/or your team, do you
consider mostly vendor specific certifications or vendor neutral certifications?

17% 34% 49%

Mostly vendor Mostly vendor Mix of both
specific neutral

This preference distribution suggests a strategic emphasis on versatility and depth in cloud
security education. Embracing both vendor-specific and vendor-neutral certifications can equip
professionals with a rich background of knowledge and skills, fostering a robust cybersecurity
workforce capable of addressing diverse and evolving threats.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 17
 Methodology & Demographics
The 2024 Cloud Security Report is derived from an extensive survey of 951 cybersecurity
professionals, conducted in April 2024. The study reveals how organizations utilizing cloud
services are addressing security threats, as well as the training, certifications, and best practices
prioritized by IT security leaders. The participants encompass a diverse range of roles, from
technical executives to IT security practitioners, and represent a balanced cross-section of
organizations of various sizes and industries.

C A R EER L E V EL
25% 24% 15% 9% 5% 3% 3% 16%

Specialist Manager/Supervisor Consultant CTO, CIO, CISCO, CMO, CFO, COO Director Owner/CEO/President
Project Manager Other

D EPA RTM ENT

46% 23% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 8%

IT Security IT Operations Operations Engineering SecOps Compliance DevOps Other

CO M PA N Y S IZE
10% 14% 18% 13% 17% 9% 19%

Fewer than 10 10-99 100-499 500-999 1,000-4,999 5,000–9,999 Over 10,000

I N D U STRY
20% 16% 12% 8% 6% 5% 5% 5% 23%

Financial Services Technology, Software & Internet Government Professional Services Telecommunications
Education & Research Manufacturing Computers & Electronics Other

S EC U R IT Y C ERTI FI C ATI O N S H EL D
58% 45% 31% 29% 26% 26% 23% 19% 18% 70%

CISSP Security+ CEH Cloud+ Network+ CCISO SSCP CASP OSCP Other

Y E A R S O F S EC U R IT Y E X P ER I EN C E
19% 20% 22% 10% 19% 10%

Less than 1 year 1-2 years 3-4 years 5 years More than 5 years More than 10 years

Reuse of Content
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2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 18
 Best Practices for Cloud Security Strategy
In the face of evolving threats and complexities, safeguarding your cloud environment demands
strategic, actionable measures.

Prioritize Multi-Layered Security: Implement a comprehensive security

framework that integrates with your cloud services, addressing vulnerabilities at
every level. The report’s finding that 96% of organizations are concerned about
public cloud security underscores the need for robust, layered defenses.

Embrace Continuous Monitoring: Adopt real-time monitoring tools

to promptly detect and respond to threats. With 69% of organizations
managing their cloud security through three or more solutions, integrating
continuous monitoring can simplify and enhance security oversight.

Enhance Data Protection: To safeguard sensitive information, utilize

encryption, access controls, and data loss prevention techniques. 55% of
respondents identify data protection as a primary challenge in multi-cloud
environments, highlighting its importance.

Invest in Training and Certification: Address the skills gap and empower
your team with the latest cloud security knowledge. 93% of respondents
expressed concern over a shortage of qualified professionals, which can be
mitigated through targeted education and certification programs.

Adopt a Zero Trust Model: Assume no entity is trusted by default, from

inside or outside the network, requiring verification from anyone trying to
access resources in your network. This approach is critical in a landscape
where trust assumptions can lead to vulnerabilities.

Streamline with Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Leverage

CSPM tools to automate the identification and remediation of risks across
cloud platforms, reducing complexity and enhancing security posture.

Implement Identity and Access Management (IAM): With 59% highlighting

the significance of IAM, ensure that only authorized users can access certain
data or systems, minimizing the risk of data breaches.

Plan for Incident Response: Develop and regularly update an incident

response plan tailored to cloud-specific scenarios, ensuring your team can
act swiftly and effectively in the event of a security breach.

By integrating these best practices into your cloud security strategy, you can address the key
challenges highlighted in the 2024 Cloud Security Report while positioning your organization to
navigate the cloud landscape confidently and securely.

2024 CLOUD SECURITY REPORT ©2024 Cybersecurity Insiders All Rights Reserved. 19
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ISC2 is an international nonprofit membership associate focused on inspiring a
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is made up of certified cyber, information software and infrastructure security
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