Cloud computing has changed how we work, store information, and run businesses. But while the cloud brings flexibility and convenience, it also opens the door to new risks. If you’re storing sensitive data or running your business in the cloud, understanding these risks is no longer optional. It’s essential.
1. 94% of enterprises use cloud services, increasing exposure to cloud-specific risks
Nearly every business today uses the cloud in some form. Whether it’s file storage, running applications, or managing data, the cloud is now the standard.
But with more businesses using cloud platforms, the surface area for attacks has grown. This means more doors and windows for cyber threats to slip through.
The first step to managing risk is awareness. Just because you’re using a well-known provider doesn’t mean you’re completely protected.
Cloud providers secure their infrastructure, but you’re responsible for securing your data, apps, and configurations. This is often called the shared responsibility model.
Actionable advice: Start by mapping out all the cloud services your company uses. Include SaaS apps like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Then, assign someone the role of cloud security lead.
It doesn’t have to be a new hire—it can be someone already on your IT team who understands the cloud landscape. Make them responsible for reviewing security settings, user access, and compliance on a regular schedule.
2. 45% of data breaches in the cloud are due to misconfigurations
Misconfiguration is like leaving your front door wide open. It happens when cloud settings aren’t properly set, such as leaving a database accessible without a password or making a storage bucket public by mistake. These errors are surprisingly common—and often invisible until it’s too late.
Most cloud providers offer default settings that prioritize ease of use over maximum security.
Many businesses forget to change those settings or don’t know what they mean. As a result, attackers can scan the internet and find these exposed resources quickly.
Actionable advice: Use automated tools to scan for misconfigurations. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all offer tools for this. There are also third-party platforms like Wiz, Prisma Cloud, and Check Point that can monitor configurations across all your cloud environments.
Make it a habit to review your settings monthly and fix anything flagged as risky.
3. 80% of organizations have experienced at least one cloud security incident in the past year
Security incidents can range from minor to severe. It could be a stolen password, unauthorized access, malware, or even a full data breach. If 8 out of 10 businesses are having problems, then the issue isn’t rare—it’s expected.
The cloud introduces new challenges. Traditional firewalls and antivirus tools aren’t enough anymore. The cloud is more open, connected, and fast-moving.
If you’re not actively watching what’s happening in your cloud environment, you could miss signs of trouble.
Actionable advice: Set up real-time alerts for suspicious activity. This includes login attempts from unknown locations, sudden spikes in data downloads, or changes in user permissions.
Use tools like AWS CloudTrail or Azure Monitor to track activity. Also, run quarterly incident response drills to practice how your team would respond if something went wrong.
4. 33% of businesses reported data exposure due to insecure APIs
APIs are the connectors of the digital world. They let apps talk to each other and exchange data. But if an API is built without security in mind, it can become an open door to your data.
Poorly secured APIs can allow attackers to pull sensitive data or even take over systems. Many companies build or use APIs without proper authentication or data validation. These shortcuts save time in the short term, but they often lead to long-term damage.
Actionable advice: Make sure every API you use requires secure authentication, like OAuth 2.0 or API tokens. Never allow unauthenticated access to any endpoint that touches sensitive data.
Also, log and monitor all API activity. Use API gateways like AWS API Gateway or Azure API Management to apply consistent security rules across your APIs.
5. 66% of IT professionals say security is their biggest concern with cloud adoption
Cloud computing is attractive, but the worry about security lingers. IT professionals are right to be cautious.
With increased complexity, it becomes harder to keep track of everything—and that’s where mistakes happen.
When multiple departments spin up new services without checking with IT, known as shadow IT, security controls are often skipped. This causes blind spots and increases risk.
Actionable advice: Create a simple cloud adoption policy. It should list approved services and include a checklist for security configurations. Educate teams on why going through IT helps keep the whole company safer.
Also, assign a point of contact from the security team who can help departments set things up correctly without slowing them down.
6. 92% of companies have a multi-cloud strategy, increasing complexity and risk
Using more than one cloud provider is common. It offers flexibility, helps avoid vendor lock-in, and improves performance. But managing security across multiple platforms is harder. Each provider has different tools, settings, and policies.
It’s easy to forget to apply the same level of security in each environment. One provider might have strong access controls in place, while another is left open by accident.
Actionable advice: Use a centralized security tool that works across multiple cloud platforms. This way, you can apply consistent rules for identity, encryption, and logging.
Examples include Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Palo Alto Prisma, or Lacework. Also, create a single security playbook that outlines procedures across all your cloud systems, and train your teams to follow it.
7. 48% of organizations store classified or sensitive data in the cloud
Putting sensitive data in the cloud isn’t a bad thing—as long as it’s protected. The real issue comes when that data is left unencrypted, unmonitored, or exposed through weak access controls.
Hackers actively search for cloud databases and storage services. If they find even one that’s exposed, they’ll scan it for valuable data like credit cards, personal info, or internal company files.
Actionable advice: Always encrypt data—both when it’s stored and when it’s moving. Use your cloud provider’s native encryption services. Set up access policies so only specific roles can view or edit sensitive data. And turn on activity logs for all storage services so you can track every file access event.
8. 41% of cloud security breaches are caused by insider threats
Not all risks come from outside. Employees, contractors, or partners can accidentally—or intentionally—cause damage. Whether it’s sharing a file publicly or downloading data they shouldn’t, insiders pose a real threat.
Sometimes, employees have more access than they need. Or they use personal devices that aren’t secure. Other times, a disgruntled employee may deliberately steal information.
Actionable advice: Follow the principle of least privilege. Give people only the access they absolutely need. Review access levels regularly, especially after role changes or departures.
Use tools like Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to catch risky behavior, like someone trying to copy large amounts of sensitive data. Also, require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all internal users.
9. 68% of companies admit cloud misconfiguration led to data exposure
This number should raise eyebrows. When more than two-thirds of businesses say their data was exposed because of incorrect settings, it tells us one thing: configuration mistakes are a big deal. The problem isn’t with the cloud itself—it’s with how it’s used.
Misconfiguration can mean publicly accessible storage, weak password policies, or incorrect permissions.
These errors are often not discovered until after someone stumbles upon them—or worse, exploits them.
Actionable advice: Set up regular audits of your cloud settings. Most major cloud platforms have built-in security auditing tools. Use them. Make configuration reviews part of your monthly IT checklist.
If possible, enable alerts for risky configurations, so you can act before data is exposed. Also, document your cloud setup so it’s easy to review and update over time.
10. 43% of organizations fail to encrypt data stored in the cloud
Encryption is like locking your data in a safe. Without it, anyone who gains access—accidentally or intentionally—can read everything. Yet, nearly half of companies skip this basic step.
Some assume the cloud provider handles encryption, but that’s not always true. Others believe encryption slows performance, which isn’t the case anymore. With today’s technology, encryption is fast and reliable.
Actionable advice: Enable encryption for every cloud service that stores data. For example, turn on server-side encryption for AWS S3 or use customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault.
Make encryption the default, not an option. Also, encrypt sensitive data on the client side before uploading it to the cloud, giving you an extra layer of protection.
11. 30% of businesses report unauthorized access to their cloud environments
Unauthorized access can happen in many ways: a stolen password, weak login policies, or former employees who still have access.
Once someone gets in, they can steal data, disrupt services, or plant malicious code without you knowing.
The issue usually comes down to poor identity and access management. Too many businesses use simple passwords or fail to revoke access after employee exits.
Actionable advice: Enforce strong password policies and require multi-factor authentication. Audit user access every quarter. Make sure only active employees and partners have cloud access.
Use identity federation tools like Azure AD or Okta to manage access in one place. This makes it easier to shut off access when someone leaves or changes roles.
12. 59% of organizations say visibility into cloud infrastructure is a top security challenge
You can’t protect what you can’t see. That’s the problem with cloud environments—especially large ones. When multiple teams are spinning up resources across regions or cloud providers, it’s easy to lose track.
Lack of visibility makes it hard to spot security gaps, detect intrusions, or respond to incidents quickly. Most companies find out about issues after the damage is already done.
Actionable advice: Invest in a cloud security posture management (CSPM) tool. These platforms provide a central dashboard to monitor all your cloud assets and configurations.
Examples include tools like Orca Security, Wiz, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Set alerts for new services, public exposures, or policy violations, so you can stay ahead of potential risks.
13. Only 20% of companies conduct regular cloud security assessments
Security isn’t a one-time task—it’s ongoing. Yet, most businesses aren’t regularly checking their cloud environments for issues.
Without regular reviews, vulnerabilities pile up, and attackers find opportunities.
Think of cloud security assessments as digital health checkups. They reveal misconfigurations, expired certificates, excessive permissions, and outdated security settings.
Actionable advice: Schedule cloud security assessments at least twice a year. Use internal teams or external consultants to perform penetration testing and configuration reviews.
Document the results, create action plans, and assign ownership to fix issues. If you’re a smaller business, start with free tools like AWS Trusted Advisor or Google’s Security Command Center.
14. 65% of enterprises lack the staff or expertise to manage cloud security effectively
Many businesses moved to the cloud faster than they could train their teams. This skill gap creates major risks. Without trained professionals, important security tasks are missed or delayed.
Cloud security requires a different mindset than traditional IT. It involves understanding shared responsibility, automation, identity controls, and threat detection.
Actionable advice: Invest in cloud security training for your IT staff. Providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google offer affordable certifications. Even just a few trained team members can make a big difference.
If hiring is an option, look for professionals with cloud-specific security experience. Also consider partnering with managed security providers to fill in gaps.
15. 27% of cloud users don’t fully understand their shared responsibility model
The shared responsibility model means your cloud provider handles some things (like the physical servers), and you handle the rest (like your data, apps, and user access). Many businesses assume the provider handles everything, and that’s a dangerous mistake.
When responsibility is unclear, tasks get ignored. That’s when vulnerabilities show up.
Actionable advice: Educate your team on what the shared responsibility model means for your provider. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all publish clear diagrams of what you’re responsible for.
Print it out and include it in your internal IT documentation. Make it part of onboarding for any new IT hire.
16. 50% of organizations suffered downtime due to cloud-based attacks
Downtime hurts. Every minute your services are offline, you lose productivity, customers, and trust. Cloud-based attacks—whether it’s DDoS, malware, or configuration errors—can bring your business to a halt.
The cost of downtime adds up fast. It can be thousands or even millions of dollars depending on the size of your operation.
Actionable advice: Build a cloud incident response plan. Include specific roles, steps to contain threats, and communication plans. Test it regularly with simulated attacks.
Also, use redundancy and backup systems to keep services running if one region or server goes down. Most major cloud providers offer multi-region failover tools—use them.
17. 70% of cloud-native breaches occurred due to inadequate identity and access management
Identity is the new perimeter in cloud security. If you don’t control who can access what, attackers will find a way in. Weak passwords, over-permissioned accounts, and lack of role-based access control (RBAC) are common issues.
When every employee has full access, one compromised account can expose your entire system.
Actionable advice: Implement RBAC across your cloud environments. Give users the minimum access they need for their role. Require multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
Rotate credentials regularly and monitor login activity. Also, avoid using root or admin accounts for daily tasks. Set up separate roles for specific functions to reduce exposure.
18. 60% of cloud workloads are not protected with proper security configurations
A “workload” can be a virtual machine, app, or function running in the cloud. When these workloads lack proper security—like patched software, firewalls, or encryption—they become easy targets.
Cloud workloads can spin up quickly, and security settings are often skipped in the rush to deploy.
Actionable advice: Build security into your deployment process. Use infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to apply security policies automatically. This way, every new workload is protected by default. Also, scan workloads for vulnerabilities regularly and patch them on a schedule.
19. 75% of businesses say third-party vendors increase their cloud security risk
Vendors can be a weak link. If you integrate with a third-party app or service, you’re trusting that vendor’s security as much as your own. If they get breached, your data could be exposed too.
Many businesses don’t vet vendors properly or forget to monitor them over time.
Actionable advice: Create a third-party risk management process. Before working with a vendor, ask for their security certifications, data handling practices, and breach history.
Limit the data they can access. Review vendor access rights quarterly. If a vendor no longer needs access, remove it immediately.
20. 40% of cloud data breaches involve lost or stolen credentials
Login credentials are like the keys to your cloud. If someone steals them, they can walk right in. Phishing, weak passwords, and poor password hygiene are all common ways credentials are compromised.
Even one leaked password can cause a major breach.
Actionable advice: Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords. Require MFA for all cloud accounts. Monitor for credential leaks using tools like Have I Been Pwned or dark web monitoring services.
Also, educate your team to spot phishing attempts—human error is often the first step in a breach.
21. 36% of organizations experience ransomware attacks via cloud vectors
Ransomware is no longer just a desktop or on-premise problem. Attackers now use cloud platforms as entry points, often sneaking in through unsecured apps, weak credentials, or misconfigured services.
Once inside, they encrypt cloud data and demand payment.
The cloud’s always-on nature makes it even more attractive for attackers. If they can lock your cloud environment, they can bring your business to a standstill instantly.
Actionable advice: Regularly back up your cloud data in separate, secure locations—ideally outside your main cloud account. Use immutable backups where data can’t be changed or deleted for a certain time.
Segment your network so that even if ransomware hits one part, it can’t spread to everything. Train employees to avoid phishing emails, which are still the most common way ransomware starts.
22. 55% of IT leaders say managing cloud compliance is their top concern
Compliance isn’t optional—especially in industries like finance, healthcare, or education. Cloud environments must follow strict rules (like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2), but meeting those requirements in a fast-moving cloud setup can be tough.
Many IT leaders worry that rapid development and decentralized teams will cause them to fall out of compliance.
Actionable advice: Start by identifying which compliance standards your business must follow. Then map those requirements to specific cloud configurations. For example, GDPR might require data residency, encryption, and access logs.
Use compliance management tools like AWS Artifact or Microsoft Purview to stay aligned. Document everything—auditors love good documentation.
23. 62% of cloud service users do not back up their data regularly
Many people think the cloud automatically backs up their data. It doesn’t—at least not in the way they assume. Cloud providers may have disaster recovery for infrastructure, but protecting your specific files, apps, or configurations is your job.
Without regular backups, accidental deletions or ransomware attacks can lead to permanent data loss.
Actionable advice: Set up scheduled backups for critical data. Store those backups in a separate cloud region or provider. Test your restore process regularly to make sure it works.
Automate backups whenever possible using tools like AWS Backup, Azure Backup, or third-party services like Veeam or Druva.
24. 49% of cloud environments lack proper logging and monitoring
If you’re not watching what’s happening in your cloud environment, you’re flying blind. Logs are essential for detecting attacks, understanding breaches, and even proving compliance. Yet nearly half of cloud setups aren’t capturing the right data—or any at all.
Lack of visibility means you’ll miss red flags and won’t know what went wrong until it’s too late.
Actionable advice: Turn on logging for all your services. Use native tools like AWS CloudTrail, Azure Monitor, or Google Cloud Logging to track changes, user activity, and access.
Store logs in a secure, tamper-proof location. Set alerts for suspicious activity like logins from strange locations, unexpected permission changes, or spikes in data transfers.
25. 58% of data in the cloud is not classified or tagged for sensitivity
Not all data is equal. Some files are public, some are internal, and some are highly confidential. If you don’t tag or classify data, you can’t apply the right security policies. This leads to overexposed sensitive information—and under-protected critical files.
Without clear data classification, security teams are forced to guess what’s important.
Actionable advice: Start a simple classification system. For example: Public, Internal, Confidential, and Restricted. Tag your data accordingly in your cloud provider’s storage tools.
Apply automatic rules—like encrypting all “Restricted” data or limiting access to “Internal” data from outside IP addresses. This helps you apply the right controls to the right data.
26. 46% of cloud users have exposed at least one cloud storage bucket publicly
One misstep in setting a storage bucket to public can leak hundreds or thousands of sensitive files. It happens often, especially when teams are moving fast or don’t understand the settings.
Attackers actively scan the internet for public buckets and often find gold—customer data, internal documents, and even source code.
Actionable advice: Audit all your cloud storage buckets. Look for any that are marked as public and verify whether that setting is intentional. Most providers let you block public access at the account level—turn this on unless there’s a good reason not to.
If you must allow public access, monitor that bucket closely and log every access request.
27. 39% of companies have no cloud incident response plan in place
What happens when your cloud environment is breached? If you don’t have a plan, panic usually follows. Without a response plan, time is wasted figuring out who should do what—and during a breach, every second matters.
A good incident response plan reduces downtime, limits damage, and helps you recover faster.
Actionable advice: Write a simple cloud-specific incident response plan. Assign roles for who identifies the issue, who communicates with stakeholders, and who contains the threat.
Include steps for isolating affected systems, gathering evidence, and restoring services. Test this plan at least twice a year with simulated scenarios.
28. 64% of businesses say cloud security has not kept pace with adoption
Many companies moved to the cloud quickly—especially during the pandemic—but left security behind. Now, they’re running more cloud apps and storing more data than ever, but with outdated or inadequate protections.
This mismatch creates risk. The more you use the cloud, the more you need to invest in securing it.
Actionable advice: Reassess your cloud environment at least once a year. Look at how much your usage has grown and whether your security tools and policies have kept up.
Consider moving toward zero trust security—where every access request is verified, no matter who or where it’s from. Also, invest in automation to keep security scaling with your growth.
29. 35% of enterprises rely solely on the cloud provider for security
Relying only on your cloud provider is like locking your front door and leaving the windows wide open. While providers do a great job securing their infrastructure, they can’t secure your data, users, or how you configure things.
You must take ownership of your side of the security model.
Actionable advice: Use third-party security tools that complement what your cloud provider offers. These might include intrusion detection systems, advanced firewalls, or extended monitoring tools.
Create internal policies around cloud access, encryption, and data handling. Security isn’t just the provider’s job—it’s yours too.
30. 53% of security leaders believe cloud threats will grow significantly in the next year
Cloud adoption is still rising—and so are the threats. Attackers are getting smarter, and their tactics are evolving fast. Security leaders see what’s coming: more automation from attackers, more social engineering, and more gaps in new cloud tools.
Assuming the worst might sound gloomy, but it’s actually wise planning.
Actionable advice: Stay ahead by keeping your team educated. Subscribe to threat intelligence reports and cloud security newsletters. Join cloud security forums or groups.
Review your risk profile regularly and update your defenses as needed. Think of cloud security as a living, breathing part of your business—it must evolve, just like your technology does.
wrapping it up
Cloud computing is here to stay. It brings speed, agility, and cost savings—but it also comes with serious risks. The stats above paint a clear picture: cloud security is no longer optional, and ignoring it can be costly.
