AI is being integrated into defence mechanisms against increasingly sophisticated attackers. Not only that, but AI-driven automation enhances every stage of security, from anomaly detection to rapid triage and response.
- Advanced threat detection: AI analyses vast amounts of data to identify real-time anomalies and potential threats.
- Automated responses: Machine learning enables systems to respond to incidents, reducing reaction times autonomously.
- Generative AI: Use generative AI to understand cyberattacks and create tailored mitigations.
AI can be a proactive defence, improving the speed and accuracy compared to traditional security defence methods. In addition, AI speeds up the identification of threats, which allows you to respond quicker when threats close in. It reduces false alarms and increases the detection of subtle or hidden threats. Moreover, AI can manage large-scale, dynamic environments (like cloud infrastructures).
2. The Rise of Multi-Cloud and Hybrid-Cloud Strategies
Going multi or hybrid-cloud is not just about vendor lock-in avoidance. Most organisations
have a lot to benefit on various fronts by jumping to multi-vendor implementations to make use of more than one service, reasons for scalability, availability, affordability, and performance and operational efficiencies.
78% run workloads across three or more public clouds, and by 2025, many global companies will have stretched their multi-cloud reach across different regions. The benefits of these approaches are increased flexibility, better performance, higher availability, optimised cloud costs by choosing the provider's strengths, and more data and app control.
Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments (combination of on-prem environments and the cloud) come with an increase in complexity which results in an increased attack surface requiring better visibility and control to avoid, discover, and remediate security risks.
3. The Adoption of Zero Trust
The Zero Trust model is gaining momentum, emphasising the importance of secure access by verifying every access request. It is based on the “never trust, always verify” principle. In a zero-trust environment, no one is trusted by default, whether inside or outside the network. Continuous verification and strict access controls shape this concept.
With the increase of remote work and hybrid environments, Zero Trust ensures no user gets unchecked access to systems. This approach includes the following:
- Micro-segmentation
- Real-time monitoring
- Adaptive access policies
- Enforcing least-privilege access
Best practices to apply the Zero Trust model:
- Clearly define access and authorisation strategy to implement zero trust principles. Clearly define and enforce just-in-time (JIT) and just-enough administration (JEA).
- Implement zero trust strategy with a clear desired future state, including continuous evaluation, improvement and defined timelines.
- Implement micro-segmentation to isolate workloads and restrict lateral movement within cloud environments.
4. Quantum Computing and Encryption
Quantum computing also falls under the umbrella of cloud security trends, being a complete shift in how we process information. Whereas classical computers compute using binary (0s and 1s), quantum computers compute using qubits (quantum bits) that can exist in a myriad of states simultaneously. This makes them exponentially more powerful than anything we have today. The big cloud providers, such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, already offer quantum capabilities.
While it’s great for science and innovation, it isn’t seen as favourably when it comes to encryption. Most modern security relies on asymmetric encryption (the kind that protects online banking, secure messaging, and digital signatures). It works because classical computers would take thousands of years to crack the encryption. Quantum computers could do it in minutes.
The quantum-safe cryptography race is ongoing, with quantum-resistant encryption being created for these future attacks. Two potential approaches are:
- Lattice-based cryptography: Relies on mathematical problems that are too challenging, even for quantum computers.
- Code-based cryptography: Employs error-correcting codes to create encryption techniques that are difficult for quantum computers to break.
If your data protection strategy assumes encryption is unbreakable, it's time to think again. Organisations need to future-proof encryption now rather than waiting for quantum threats to become a reality. Start researching quantum-safe encryption and track emerging standards.
It’s always better to be ahead rather than scrambling to catch up, right?
5. Major Clouds will grow only further
Leading cloud computing platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud will continue to grow, capturing more market share from smaller cloud environments and private datacentres.
These cloud providers have done a phenomenal job in terms of the sheer number and quality of security services and capabilities. Think about Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, or Microsoft Sentinel within the Microsoft Cloud, or Guard Duty from AWS. Read more about how the security features of Microsoft Azure weigh up vs AWS.
By 2025, more than 85% of organisations are expected to adopt a cloud-first approach, and the number of security services and tools from native providers and third parties will increase, providing customers with more choice.
6. Proactive Defence, DevSecOps, and Automation
Proactive cloud security is essential to maintaining a secure environment. One effective method is using DevSecOps, which integrates security into every stage of the development pipeline and related operational activities. Incorporating security from the beginning ensures that cloud-based applications are secure and resistant to attacks from the start, avoiding the delays typically associated with retrofitting security later.
Automation is also at the core of this proactive defence strategy. The size and complexity of cloud environments today make it nigh impossible or cost prohibitive to manage security manually. AI-driven automation allows security teams to deal with increasingly large volumes of data and more complex environments. By automating time and resource-intensive tasks, security teams can devote more time to high-value activities like threat detection and response. This improves the overall security posture and enables you to respond to new threats faster.
Integrating DevSecOps and automation into your cloud security strategy is all about building a strong and flexible security system that can handle today's demands.
7. The Rising Demand for Greater Visibility in Cloud Security
As more workloads migrate to the cloud, visibility in cloud security is an ever-growing requirement. Cloud providers are responding by offering added security features and tools that give real-time visibility into cloud infrastructure. These tools enable security professionals to monitor and inspect cloud activity, spot threats, and react to security incidents.
In 2024, the overall breach cost stood at $4.88m, up 10% from the previous year (2023) and an all-time high.
That is the reason visibility in cloud security is important so as not to incur data breaches and reduce impacts on service. Equipped with industry-leading security products and capabilities, you can realise the visibility that you need to secure your sensitive data and have an effective cloud security posture. Visibility helps you recognise threats sooner and better understand your cloud environments.
