ISC2 Cloud Security Report 2024

Keypoints

• The report is structured into sections covering current cloud security concerns, multi-cloud management, security solution simplification, transition barriers, cloud strategy preferences, cloud maturity challenges, workload distribution, software security, DevSecOps integration, compliance, cloud efficiency, skills gap, perception of team competency, essential security skills, certification trends, and best practices.
• Organizations are highly apprehensive about public cloud security, with 96% expressing concern, indicating a need for robust, layered security strategies.
• Securing multi-cloud environments remains a dominant challenge for 55% of respondents, emphasizing data protection, skill gaps, and seamless integration as critical issues.
• Most companies use three or more security solutions to manage cloud policies, with 69% relying on at least three tools, underscoring complexity and fragmentation in cloud security management.
• Budget constraints (48%) and staff skill shortages (45%) are the leading barriers to adopting cloud-based security solutions, highlighting the need for targeted investment in training and technology.
• Hybrid cloud deployment is preferred by 43%, with 78% adopting multi-cloud or hybrid strategies, reflecting a focus on flexibility and resilience.
• Cloud workload distribution shows a gradual shift toward greater cloud reliance, with 34% operating more than half of their workloads in the cloud, demanding advanced security measures.
• Integration of security into the software development lifecycle is evolving, with many organizations implementing DevSecOps, but 26% still considering adoption, indicating room for growth.
• Maintaining compliance remains challenging, with nearly half citing expertise gaps and continuous regulatory changes as major hurdles.
• Addressing cloud inefficiencies involves improving resource management skills, optimizing architecture, and reducing idle resources, critical for cost efficiency.
• The industry faces a significant skills shortage, with 93% worried about the talent gap, urging investments in certifications, training, and external partnerships.
• Self-assessed cloud security skills often overestimate actual capabilities; 34% rate their team above average, emphasizing the need for objective benchmarking and continuous education.
• Key security skills identified include cloud and application security, IAM, governance, monitoring, and threat intelligence, requiring ongoing training initiatives.
• Preferences show a balanced approach, with 49% favoring both vendor-specific and neutral certifications, indicating a strategy to develop versatile security expertise.
• The report is based on a survey of 951 cybersecurity professionals across various industries and roles, emphasizing insights into current practices and future priorities in cloud security.
• Best practices recommended include multi-layered security, continuous monitoring, data protection, workforce training, zero trust adoption, CSPM tools, IAM policies, and incident response planning to enhance cloud security posture.