The widespread use of multi-cloud strategies presents a challenge for companies as they struggle to define boundaries in their IT environment. Transformation projects spanning various platforms and the presence of workloads in multiple locations make it difficult for organisations to protect their digital assets and maintain security.
According to a recent survey by Rackspace Technology, companies in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region are feeling the pressure of a larger security perimeter due to increased digitalisation. 72% of organisations agree that they need to enhance their cybersecurity posture. While 66% of respondents have increased cybersecurity funding this year, it is equally important for companies to change their mindset regarding security in this complex landscape.
To ensure security can adapt seamlessly as the perimeter expands, it is crucial to reassess the role of tools, people, and organisational structure in maintaining resilience. By adopting a comprehensive and proactive approach, businesses can effectively protect their valuable assets, maintain operational efficiency, and safeguard their reputation.
Finding the right tools for every organisation
The availability of cloud security tools is continually increasing with 95% of the survey respondents considering these tools to be essential for various aspects of cybersecurity, such as managing access to organisational assets. However, it is important to understand that each tool has its strengths and limitations. Therefore, organisations need to carefully evaluate which tool suits their specific needs and security requirements.
One aspect to consider is whether a particular tool can seamlessly handle a wide range of operations. Key elements to prioritise when choosing a solution include robust identity and access management capabilities, compliance with regulations, effective governance, proactive reporting, and a strong focus on identifying potential security risks.
Additionally, businesses should also explore tools that provide centralised control over network access and security events through a communication protocol like a message bus or a service bus. This facilitates effective communication between different systems by using a shared set of interfaces.
Reducing human error
Addressing the human element is also important for organisations. While it is impossible to eliminate human error, proactive measures can be taken to minimise the likelihood and impact of unintentional security actions.
Only 37% of the survey respondents reported that their employees had a high level of awareness regarding their formal policies on AI governance and security. In comparison, 49% described their employees’ awareness as only average. This highlights the urgent need to reinforce cybersecurity training programs and best practices. Fortunately, there are now numerous tools available that seamlessly integrate into company processes, enhancing code deployment while prioritising security.
One key vulnerability that these tools address is the exposure of intellectual property through deployed code. Continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), a software development protocol, offers a solution to the common human errors that often occur in traditional manual processes. By implementing automation throughout the entire app development process, organisations can increase efficiency, enhance security, improve code quality, and decrease the likelihood of manual errors that lead to security vulnerabilities.
Giving security teams more agility
Security should not be seen as a standalone measure that is only taken after incidents occur. Rather, it should be seamlessly incorporated into the overall structure of the organisation, specifically during the development process, through the establishment of agile security teams. This can be achieved by including security expertise in the engineering phase and providing training for current staff to become knowledgeable about security. By spreading the security mindset across the organisation, it fosters innovation and enables the company to keep up with the rapidly changing business environment.
Tapping into expert services to strengthen security
In the context of multi-cloud strategies, the role of managed cloud security services is noteworthy. These services, provided by various companies in the industry, offer expertise and technology that can be integral to maintaining an organisation’s security posture. They often present a solution for organisations seeking to supplement their existing security measures without the necessity of expanding their in-house security teams significantly. While these services can offer scalability and access to advanced technologies, it’s important for organisations to weigh the benefits against their specific security needs and the potential implications of relying on external security infrastructure.
