In today’s world, where data breaches and cyber threats are constant concerns, organizations are giving more importance to data security. However, it can be challenging to determine which data assets to prioritize securing. To shed light on this issue, Cyral, a leading cybersecurity company, conducted a recent survey involving over 100 security leaders from various industries, company sizes, and cloud adoption stages. The survey aimed to provide valuable insights into the current landscape of data security priorities.
The survey showed that securing databases emerged as the top priority for organizations when it comes to data security. This finding held true across different industries and cloud adoption stages. It is not surprising considering the highly sensitive and valuable information stored in databases. Unauthorized access due to poor security governance poses a significant risk for any business.
While databases were the top concern, the survey also highlighted varying priorities based on industry and cloud adoption stage. For example, the Manufacturing/Industrial and Professional Services sectors emphasized the importance of securing production servers and user devices in addition to databases. This suggests that these sectors face unique challenges and risks.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that companies in the middle stages of cloud adoption prioritize securing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. This indicates a growing awareness of the potential security vulnerabilities associated with cloud-based applications.
Organizations in the early stages of cloud migration face specific challenges when it comes to data security. One prominent hurdle is the proper configuration of applications. Lack of experience or resources can hinder these organizations from adequately configuring their applications, leaving them vulnerable to breaches. This emphasizes the need for comprehensive security measures during the transition to the cloud.
As companies progress in their cloud adoption journey, priorities can shift significantly. At the very large enterprise stage (50,000+ employees), enterprise data systems become the top priority, surpassing even databases. This shift may be attributed to the complex nature of managing vast amounts of data within an enterprise-level organization.
On the other hand, smaller-sized organizations continue to prioritize databases as their top concern. This highlights the importance of protecting core data assets, regardless of company size.
Interestingly, companies primarily operating in the cloud have already addressed the security risk presented by SaaS applications through proper configurations. This demonstrates the growing recognition of the importance of securing cloud-based applications and the efforts made to mitigate associated risks.
Throughout the survey, a common struggle emerged among organizations: achieving proper data security governance. With the ever-evolving threat landscape and limited resources, many businesses find it challenging to establish robust governance frameworks. This underscores the need for continuous vigilance and investment in security measures.
In conclusion, the survey conducted by Cyral has provided valuable insights into how organizations prioritize their data security efforts. While securing databases remains the primary concern across the board, industry verticals, company sizes, and cloud adoption stages influence the specific priorities. From production servers to SaaS applications and enterprise data systems, organizations must adapt their security strategies to address the unique challenges they face.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, businesses must remain proactive in their approach to data security. By staying informed about emerging threats, investing in comprehensive security measures, and adopting a proactive mindset, organizations can safeguard their valuable data assets and protect themselves against the ever-present risk of cyber threats.
In light of the increasing frequency of data breaches, data security must be a top priority for every organization, regardless of industry or size. By understanding the specific priorities of their industry and cloud adoption stage, businesses can effectively allocate resources and implement robust security measures to stay one step ahead of cyber threats. Ultimately, it is the proactive and adaptable approach to data security that will ensure the protection of valuable data assets in an evolving landscape.
