As businesses demand more flexibility and cost-efficiency, multicloud strategies have become the norm. Businesses run applications across both public and private clouds at an unprecedented pace. Gartner had projected spending on public cloud services would reach $597.3 billion in 2024 — a testament to the rapid growth of cloud environments. For MSPs, cloud security is an opportunity and a challenge. The cloud unlocks transformative benefits like scalability and cost savings. However, it also creates an expanded attack surface that requires specialized expertise to secure.
The Benefits and Challenges of Cloud Growth
Cloud computing offers significant advantages over traditional infrastructure. For example:
- Capital One reduced its data center footprint by 80% in five years by migrating to the public cloud while boosting deployment speed and scalability.
- Netflix uses AWS to stream over 1 billion hours of content to nearly 250 million global subscribers.
While these examples highlight the cloud’s growth potential, they also underscore the security complexities inherent in such environments.
The shared responsibility model dictates that cloud providers secure the infrastructure, while companies handle securing their own apps, data, and user access. MSPs are uniquely positioned to help businesses navigate these challenges.
MSPs can provide businesses with strategic guidance, helping them leverage cloud benefits while addressing security gaps. By properly securing applications, data, and user access, MSPs reduce the risks associated with cloud adoption.
The Expanding Attack Surface: A Call to Action for MSPs
With cloud usage growing, attacks are up more than 75% year over year, per CrowdStrike. Plus, a Check Point Research study revealed that 76% of organizations experienced at least one cloud security incident in the past year. Misconfigurations were the root cause in 68% of these cases.
Traditional security methods aren’t strong enough to cover the unique challenges of cloud environments. That’s why organizations must adopt strategies to address these new vulnerabilities. This includes stronger identity management, continuous monitoring, and a focus on securing data as it moves between cloud services.
Verizon research showed that roughly 74% of cloud breaches in 2023 involved compromised credentials, while only 4% were direct infrastructure attacks.
The NSA highlights the need for encryption during transit in its “Kubernetes Hardening Guide,” as more attacks target data moving between services.
This is exacerbated in multicloud environments, where more complexity is introduced. Organizations using multiple cloud providers report 50% more security incidents than those with a single provider, according to Microsoft. The increased targeting of data moving between services in different clouds reinforces the NSA’s point. CISOs consistently identify tracking data movement across cloud boundaries as a top issue.
Brandon Dobrec
Identity Management: The Key to Cloud Security
In cloud environments, identity has become the primary security perimeter. Research showed that identity-based attacks surged by 112% in 2022, and 74% of cloud breaches in 2023 involved compromised credentials. Robust identity and access management (IAM) frameworks — including Zero Trust architectures — are essential to mitigating these risks.
MSPs play a critical role in securing identities across cloud environments. By employing Zero Trust principles and continuously monitoring credential usage, they help businesses minimize unauthorized access and respond effectively to credential-based threats.
Closing the Gap in Monitoring Multicloud Environments
Cloud monitoring is another significant challenge. Sixty percent of businesses reported that native cloud monitoring tools fail to meet their needs. Additionally, 78% struggled to consolidate security data across providers.
MSPs can bridge this gap by offering advanced solutions that combine security data and provide continuous threat detection and response. With automated compliance tools and streamlined incident management, MSPs enable businesses to maintain security and operational efficiency in even the most complex multicloud setups.
Why MSPs Are Vital in Securing Cloud Transformation
Organizations that effectively manage cloud security challenges see tangible benefits. Businesses with mature cloud security practices detect and contain breaches 35% faster and spend 27% less on recovery, the Ponemon Institute reported.
MSPs offer the expertise and resources needed to help businesses succeed in their cloud transformation journeys. They provide a comprehensive understanding of the shared responsibility model, implement IAM frameworks, and deploy automated compliance and validation tools to protect critical assets.
As cloud environments grow more complex, businesses increasingly depend on MSPs to deliver tailored solutions. By staying ahead of emerging trends and using cutting-edge tools, MSPs position themselves as indispensable partners in securing their clients’ digital transformation journeys.
Brandon Dobrec is head of product for Blackpoint Cyber. He began his career as a technical practitioner before leading and driving product initiatives for several security companies.
Featured image: iStock
