The Urgent Need for Cloud-Native Data Protection in 2023

Cloud environments were under siege by cyber attackers in 2023, with a staggering 82% of breaches involving data stored in public, private, or multi-cloud environments. Multi-cloud environments were particularly vulnerable, with 39% of breaches occurring in these complex setups. The financial toll of these breaches amounted to a hefty $4.75 million, surpassing the average cost of data breaches.

The prolonged time it takes to detect and address these breaches, known as the mean time to identify (MTTI), is a significant concern across all cloud configurations. Multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, in particular, face challenges in promptly identifying breaches.

The prevalence of cloud usage is undeniable, with all companies utilizing public or private cloud services. By 2025, a staggering 85% of organizations are expected to adopt a “cloud-first” approach. Over 60% of corporate data is already stored in the cloud, with a projected 100 trillion gigabytes to be stored by 2025.

Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies are gaining traction, with 98% of enterprises planning to use multiple cloud providers. The rise of hybrid cloud solutions is evident, with 56% of companies with over $500 million in revenue embracing this approach.

Despite the widespread adoption of cloud services, a conservative estimate suggests that 33% of the massive 100 trillion gigabytes of cloud-stored data remain unprotected, leaving them vulnerable to breaches.

To address these security challenges, cloud-native data protection technologies have emerged. These solutions focus on identifying and safeguarding data within cloud infrastructure, including multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments. Data security posture management (DSPM) is a key technology that aligns with cloud-native principles and offers comprehensive data protection capabilities.

Cloud-native applications, characterized by microservices, APIs, service mesh, containers, and container orchestrators like Kubernetes, are at the forefront of cloud innovation. However, data breaches pose a significant threat to cloud migration and innovation, prompting the need for robust data protection measures.

DSPM plays a crucial role in enhancing cloud data protection by identifying and securing sensitive data across various cloud repositories and applications. Its automated discovery and monitoring capabilities simplify data protection efforts, ensuring data integrity and compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR.

In conclusion, the compelling need for cloud-native data protection is evident in the face of escalating cyber threats and data breaches. Organizations must prioritize the adoption of cloud-native technologies like DSPM to safeguard their valuable data assets and maintain trust with users. IBM Security Guardium Insights SaaS DSPM offers a comprehensive solution to address these challenges and enhance cloud data security. Learn more about IBM Guardium Insights SaaS DSPM or sign up for a free trial to experience its benefits firsthand.