Skyhigh Security released The Data Dilemma: Cloud Adoption and Risk Report, focusing on the prevailing problem of how to protect data that is used, shared and stored in today’s hybrid and cloud-first enterprise environments. The report finds that, on average, organizations store 61% of their sensitive data in the cloud, and most have experienced at least one cybersecurity breach (90%), threat (89%) and/or theft of data (80%), with three quarters (75%) experiencing all three. Overall, the report underscores the need to address data security gaps by investing in comprehensive data protection that provides remote workforces with a secure and productive user experience.
“Today, data is everywhere, traversing devices, cloud applications, the web and infrastructure, so it comes as no surprise that one of the biggest challenges organizations face is securing their vital data”
“Today, data is everywhere, traversing devices, cloud applications, the web and infrastructure, so it comes as no surprise that one of the biggest challenges organizations face is securing their vital data,” said Rodman Ramezanian, global cloud threat lead, Skyhigh Security. “The problem is compounded by the increasing use of private and public cloud services, practices like Shadow IT and even economic factors. With so many variables, it begs the question: Are organizations trying to solve new problems with old methods? Our report findings reinforce the importance of a converged platform across data, web and cloud protection capabilities to cater for the needs of security teams today.”
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Cloud adoption accelerates rapidly
Public cloud usage has jumped in the past several years, partly as a result of the pandemic, which forced most businesses to shift to a work-from-home or hybrid model. As the report points out, from 2019 to 2022, use of public cloud services increased to approximately 50% among survey participants. For example, 41% of organizations are using Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application Microsoft 365 for email and/or file storage.
Organizations lack confidence in data protection efforts by cloud providers
While the cloud has many advantages and supports greater agility and collaboration, the report demonstrates that organizations are well aware they need better visibility into and more consistent control over where their data is going.
Of those that use SaaS, 28% percent of organizations report advanced threats and attacks against their cloud application providers, compared to 23% in 2019, and 23% say they are unable to prevent malicious insider theft or misuse of data, up from 17% in 2019. Overall, 37% of organizations lack trust in the public cloud to keep their sensitive data secure. This is equally, if not more concerning, in the private cloud. The report indicates that 26% (compared to only 9% in 2019) of organizations do not trust private cloud providers with their data and the percentage of those experiencing challenges related to a private cloud increased 15% since 2019 (from 82% to 97%).
SOURCE: Businesswire