Recently, a study by IDG found out that 92% of organizations’ IT environment is at least somewhat in the cloud today, with around 55% of organizations currently using multiple public clouds. The statistics unraveled by the study depict how the cloud computing market’s size is increasing rapidly. 

Advantages like increased productivity reduced costs, and more flexibility makes cloud computing a viable option for organizations of every size. However, these advantages are followed by some critical security threats. So, as more and more organizations shift to cloud computing, the need for stringent security features is rising as well.

In this article, we will talk about the top cloud security trends that you must know in 2022. Let’s take a look at them. 

  1. Hybrid Clouds 

When it comes to cloud computing, businesses usually have the option of migrating to a public cloud or a private cloud. While the public cloud is more easily accessible, the private cloud offers more customization and flexibility. However, hybrid cloud models come with the best-of-both-worlds approach. It implies that data that needs to be accessed frequently and quickly can be kept on public servers, while more sensitive data can be kept on private servers. Data on public servers can be easily accessed via tools, dashboards, or applications. In contrast, data on private servers can be processed by using proprietary applications and can be monitored much better. 

The hybrid cloud model allows applications to function across cloud architectures and instances in an agile environment. It takes the best of both worlds, limits their individual challenges, and allows organizations to evolve technologically while fulfilling compliance requirements. 

  1. A Hyper-Scale Cloud 

Telco edge cloud is a virtualized infrastructure that offers benefits of both cloud operations and on-premise operations. It can:

  • handle sudden spikes in workload
  • scale applications and processes
  • seamlessly integrate with different sectors like gaming, healthcare, media, manufacturing, etc. 

In addition to being highly efficient, cost-effective, and highly scalable, the telco cloud enables organizations to securely overlap with use cases of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and several other industries with a telco-based supply chain or mobile platform. 

  1. Functions-as-a-Service: A Serverless Cloud and Cloud-Native Security

Although a relatively new concept, functions-as-a-service is gaining a lot of traction from the market’s major providers like Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft. Serverless cloud plays an essential role in creating new user experiences to access innovation easily. But how do you secure a serverless cloud? The answer lies in cloud -native security. Intending to secure cloud-native computing of scalable processes and applications in dynamic environments, cloud-native security needs high fidelity and involves the use of artificial intelligence along with continuous monitoring and assessment toward data analysis capabilities. 

  1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence provides automated functions to the cloud, such as:

  • Automated threat detection
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Event production
  • Data control via endpoint authentication and protection

To further improve cloud security, artificial intelligence can learn to detect suspicious behavior, incidents, and unauthorized access, via various algorithms and then combine it with the above-mentioned automated operations. Similarly, machine learning can boost cloud security for specific use cases like:

  • Automation functions
  • Malware detection
  • Data classification
  1. Cloud Security Posture Management

Intending to identify risks related to compliance and misconfiguration in the cloud, CSPM involves the use of tools that have been designed to detect and fix such issues while implementing the best practices specific to the cloud environment in which it has been deployed. It involves operations like:

  • Maintenance of best practice inventory
  • Monitoring of storage buckets
  • Encryption and permissions for compliance risks
  • Mapping of configuration status to control security framework, etc. 

 Conclusion

Cloud computing has always been the subject of dramatic changes. As the world evolves technologically, the integration of innovative technologies like IoT, blockchain, AI, ML, etc., with cloud computing is a foreseeable idea. So, it is expected to impact every industry significantly. Cloud security is subjected to changes as the intensity of cloud computing increases. As more and more organizations shift toward cloud computing, business leaders need to stay updated with the new trends in cloud security. As security threats increase, it is the joint responsibility of business leaders and cloud service providers to ensure effective cloud security implementation.