Cloud Security in 2025: 10 Technologies You Must Know About

What Is Cloud Security?

Cloud security refers to the practices, technologies, and policies designed to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in cloud computing environments. It includes a range of measures to protect against various threats, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware. Cloud security is a shared responsibility between the cloud provider and the customer. 

Cloud security is critical for protecting sensitive data, ensuring business continuity, and maintaining compliance in an IT landscape dominated by public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.

Core concepts in cloud security include:

• Shared responsibility model: Cloud providers are responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure (servers, network, etc.), while customers are responsible for securing their data, applications, and access within the cloud environment. 
• Data security: Protecting data at rest and in transit through encryption, access controls, and data loss prevention (DLP) techniques. 
• Access management: Implementing strong authentication, authorization, and identity management (IAM) to control who can access what resources and data. 
• Threat detection and response: Utilizing security tools and technologies like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and security information and event management (SIEM) to identify and respond to security threats. 
• Compliance: Adhering to relevant regulations and industry standards for data privacy and security. 
• Disaster recovery and business continuity: Planning for and implementing measures to ensure business operations can continue in the event of a disaster or security incident. 

Key technologies for cloud security include:

1. Firewalls: Protecting networks and systems from unauthorized access. 
2. Data Encryption: Protecting data both at rest and in transit.
3. Data security posture management (DSPM): Identifies, classifies, and monitors sensitive data across cloud environments to uncover exposure risks and enforce security policies. 
4. Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM): managing identity permissions and entitlements across cloud infrastructure
5. Cloud access security brokers (CASBs): Providing visibility and control over cloud applications and data. 
6. SaaS Security Posture Management: providing visibility into misconfigurations and threats across third-party SaaS apps
7. Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP): Protecting cloud-native applications and workloads. 
8. Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP): Provide visibility and security controls for cloud-based workloads across VMs, containers, and serverless environments.
9. Cloud security posture management (CSPM): Continuously assesses cloud configurations and policies to detect and fix security risks and misconfigurations.
10. Cloud application detection and response (CADR): Identifies and responds to threats targeting cloud applications by analyzing usage patterns and anomalies.

The Importance of Cloud Security Architecture 

Cloud security architecture defines the structure and strategy for implementing security controls in cloud environments. It provides the blueprint for securing workloads, managing identities, and enforcing compliance at scale. 

A well-architected cloud security framework aligns technical safeguards with business goals and regulatory demands, reducing exposure to both internal and external threats:

• Establishes clear security boundaries: Defines control points for identity, network access, and data protection across cloud services, reducing the attack surface.
• Supports shared responsibility: Clarifies the division of security duties between cloud providers and customers, ensuring no gaps in protection.
• Enables scalable protection: Supports automated enforcement of security policies across dynamic, multi-cloud or hybrid environments.
• Improves threat detection and response: Integrates logging, monitoring, and threat intelligence into cloud infrastructure, enabling faster incident response.
• Aligns with compliance requirements: Embeds regulatory controls into cloud workflows, helping organizations meet standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001.
• Promotes resilience and availability: Supports high availability and disaster recovery planning, ensuring continuity in case of failures or attacks.

Core Concepts and Areas of Cloud Security 

Shared Responsibility Model

The shared responsibility model is foundational to cloud security, defining how security duties are divided between the cloud provider and the customer. In this model, providers generally secure the cloud infrastructure—physical hosts, networks, and data centers—while customers handle the security of their data, applications, and user access. 

This distinction changes depending on the service model: IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. For example, in IaaS, customers have more control but also greater security responsibility, while SaaS providers manage most aspects except for access and data by the user.

Misunderstandings about the shared responsibility model can lead to security gaps or redundant controls. Customers cannot assume their provider covers all aspects of security or compliance. Instead, organizations must clearly define, document, and regularly review their areas of responsibility to ensure full coverage. 

Data Security

Data security in the cloud involves the protection of data at rest, in transit, and in use. Encryption, access controls, tokenization, and data masking are common measures used to mitigate risks of data exposure, theft, or loss. Cloud environments amplify data security challenges due to increased mobility, replication across regions, and integration with third-party services.

Organizations must apply strong encryption standards, implement strict access policies, and continuously audit data flows. In addition to technical controls, organizations must maintain strong data classification and lifecycle management. Sensitive data should only reside in secure locations with regular backup, and retention policies must comply with legal requirements. 

Access Management

Access management ensures that only authorized users and devices can interact with cloud resources. This is typically enforced through identity and access management (IAM), single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access controls (RBAC). 

Effective access management limits exposure from compromised credentials, accidental misuse, or privilege escalation. In cloud contexts, fine-grained controls are necessary to address the scale and diversity of users and endpoints. The dynamic nature of the cloud requires regular review of access rights, quick onboarding and offboarding, and detailed activity logging for audits. 

Automated provisioning and deprovisioning help prevent privilege creep or orphaned accounts. Centralized access management, combined with continuous monitoring, enables organizations to rapidly detect and respond to suspicious activity.

Threat Detection and Response

Threat detection and response in the cloud are about identifying anomalous or malicious activities quickly and containing potential breaches before damage occurs. Cloud environments can generate massive volumes of events and logs, so automated tools, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems, behavioral analytics, and threat intelligence feeds, are often essential. 

Real-time detection enables organizations to respond to incidents in minutes rather than hours or days. Effective response goes beyond detection—it’s about orchestrating remediation steps, whether that involves isolating compromised workloads, revoking credentials, or initiating forensic investigations. 

A mature threat detection and response program continuously adapts to new attack methods, integrates with threat sharing platforms, and employs runbooks to standardize and accelerate responses.

Compliance

Compliance in the cloud means meeting regulatory, industry, and contractual obligations for data protection, privacy, and operational integrity. Major frameworks include GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP, each imposing controls impacting cloud security strategies. 

Providers often offer compliance certifications, but ultimate compliance accountability remains with the customer, who must understand how data is handled, stored, and shared within their deployments. Achieving compliance in the cloud requires a combination of technical, administrative, and physical controls, along with transparent reporting and regular audits. 

Automated compliance monitoring tools can help track changes, flag violations, and produce evidence for regulators. Ongoing training and evolving control frameworks ensure continued compliance as cloud services, risk profiles, and regulatory landscapes change.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity planning focus on maintaining operations during cloud outages, cyberattacks, or other unexpected disruptions. In the cloud, organizations can leverage geo-redundant backups, automated failover, and rapid provisioning of compute and storage to minimize downtime. 

However, these require careful design to avoid single points of failure and ensure quick recovery times for mission-critical services. Testing DR plans regularly is vital, given the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud assets. Scenarios should cover data corruption, cloud provider outages, and ransomware. 

Organizations must also align recovery objectives with business risk tolerance, ensuring that DR strategies protect essential data and processes. Cloud service agreements (SLAs) and built-in redundancy features should be evaluated to integrate with internal recovery plans seamlessly.

Key Cloud Security Technologies and Tools

1. Cloud Firewalls

Cloud firewalls act as the first layer of defense by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to and from cloud resources. Unlike traditional hardware firewalls, cloud-native firewalls are designed to scale dynamically and protect resources irrespective of their location in the cloud. They enable users to set granular traffic rules, segment networks, and block malicious or unauthorized access attempts. 

Many cloud providers offer both network-based firewalls and web application firewalls that inspect deeper application-level traffic. The effectiveness of cloud firewalls depends on correctly configured policies and their integration with other cloud services. Organizations can leverage automation to dynamically update firewall rules in response to detected threats or changes in cloud resource deployment. 

2. Data Encryption

Data encryption remains a primary control for securing sensitive information in the cloud. Encryption protects data at rest, in transit, and sometimes in use, mitigating risks of breaches or exposure if data is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized users. Most major cloud providers offer built-in encryption services, with options to manage keys internally or externally for enhanced control. 

Strong encryption algorithms and proper key management are essential to effective data protection. Implementing encryption also supports regulatory compliance and data sovereignty requirements. Organizations should ensure that encryption is enforced consistently across all cloud data stores, backup archives, and communication channels. Periodic audits and automated policy checks help maintain correct implementation and identify gaps. 

3. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)

Data security posture management (DSPM) provides visibility into where sensitive data resides across cloud environments and how it is being accessed and used. Unlike traditional DLP, which focuses on preventing data loss, DSPM aims to uncover shadow data, misconfigured storage, and access risks that may lead to breaches. These tools scan structured and unstructured data across storage services, databases, and collaboration platforms to identify exposure or policy violations.

DSPM solutions often include risk scoring and remediation workflows to help prioritize issues based on data sensitivity and exposure level. They integrate with IAM, DLP, and SIEM platforms to correlate data access patterns with user behavior and enforce controls. DSPM is especially critical in multi-cloud setups where data sprawl increases and traditional security boundaries are less effective.

4. Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM)

Cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) focuses on managing and analyzing identity permissions and entitlements across cloud platforms. CIEM tools provide granular visibility into which identities have access to which resources and what level of privilege they possess. This visibility helps reduce excessive permissions, enforce least privilege, and mitigate risks of privilege escalation or lateral movement.

CIEM continuously audits permissions, detects unused or risky entitlements, and can automate rightsizing based on behavior. It is particularly effective in dynamic environments with frequent role changes, temporary accounts, or complex policies. Integration with IAM and cloud provider APIs allows CIEM to detect anomalies and enforce policy updates without manual intervention.

5. Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

Cloud access security brokers (CASBs) act as intermediaries between cloud service consumers and providers, providing visibility, policy enforcement, and protection for cloud usage. CASBs monitor user activity, enforce data loss prevention, and block risky behaviors in real-time across sanctioned and unsanctioned applications alike. They can also offer encryption, tokenization, and malware protection for data exchanged with the cloud.

Deploying a CASB helps close gaps created by shadow IT and unmonitored SaaS usage while ensuring that company policies and compliance requirements are consistently applied. Advanced CASBs integrate with identity providers, SIEM systems, and endpoint security platforms, enabling unified control over an organization’s entire cloud footprint. 

6. SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM)

Securing SaaS applications poses a unique challenge because enterprises now rely on hundreds of third-party services to manage critical business functions. Each of these applications introduces its own access controls, configurations, and data-sharing mechanisms, creating a fragmented security landscape that’s difficult to monitor or manage. Misconfigurations, excessive user permissions, and a lack of visibility into third-party integrations are common vulnerabilities that attackers exploit - targeting major SaaS applications such as CRM, ERP, and workforce management solutions. Moreover, SaaS vendors often update features and APIs rapidly, meaning that traditional security tools designed for on-prem or IaaS environments cannot keep up with the dynamic nature of SaaS ecosystems.

SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) solutions address these challenges by providing continuous, automated visibility into an organization’s SaaS environment. It monitors configurations, user permissions, and data access patterns across all connected SaaS apps to detect misconfigurations, threats, and compliance gaps in real-time. SSPM tools enforce consistent security baselines, alert on risky behaviors, and often integrate with identity and access management systems to proactively remediate issues. By centralizing control and providing deep context into each application’s security posture, SSPM empowers security teams to manage risk at scale and maintain compliance without slowing down business operations.

7. Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)

Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPP) deliver security for workloads across virtual machines, containers, and serverless functions in public, private, or hybrid clouds. CWPPs provide features such as vulnerability scanning, application whitelisting, integrity monitoring, and runtime protection to guard against attacks targeting workloads directly. They cater to the ephemeral and distributed nature of modern cloud-native compute resources.

CWPP tools integrate with CI/CD pipelines for automated risk assessment and help enforce consistent policies regardless of workload location. Continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities improve resilience against common threats like malware, privilege escalation, and lateral movement. 

Learn more in our detailed guide to cloud workload protection 

8. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)

Cloud security posture management (CSPM) solutions continuously monitor cloud infrastructure for misconfigurations, compliance violations, and risky settings. CSPM tools automate the detection of issues such as open storage, insecure network policies, and unused resources, providing organizations with recommendations and automated remediation options. They generate real-time dashboards and reports for compliance and risk management.

CSPM platforms are essential for maintaining a secure configuration baseline in large and rapidly changing cloud environments. They support an organization’s proactive defense posture by providing visibility, alerting, and auto-correction across multi-cloud deployments. Regular integration into DevOps workflows ensures security best practices are applied as code changes are released.

9. Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP)

Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPP) are an emerging category that unifies multiple cloud security tools into a single integrated solution. CNAPPs combine features from CWPP, CSPM, and container security, among others, providing end-to-end visibility, threat detection, compliance management, and runtime protection across all cloud-native workloads and applications. 

CNAPP solutions integrate deeply with cloud providers’ APIs and CI/CD tools to secure workloads from code to runtime. They continuously assess risks, enforce policies, and enable rapid detection and response to anomalous behavior. 

10. Cloud Application Detection and Response

Cloud application detection and response (CADR or CDR) platforms focus on detecting and responding to threats targeting cloud applications, including SaaS, PaaS, and custom cloud apps. They use behavioral analytics, automated baselining, and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities like account takeovers, privilege abuse, or unauthorized data access within cloud applications. 

CDR tools provide tailored protection that supplements broader network or infrastructure monitoring. Effective CDR deployments integrate with cloud application APIs, IAM solutions, and SIEM platforms to enrich telemetry and simplify response. Automated response features can quarantine accounts, revoke tokens, or trigger alerts based on real-time detection.

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Key Cloud Security Challenges 

Expanded Attack Surface and Vulnerabilities

Cloud environments increase the attack surface by exposing new endpoints, APIs, and management consoles. Each additional service, application, or user account can introduce new vulnerabilities if not properly secured. 

Cloud-based workloads are often accessible over the internet, raising the risk of unauthorized access, automated scanning, or exploit attempts by threat actors worldwide. This requires organizations to continuously assess and secure every potential exposure point.

The shift to microservices, containerization, and multi-cloud strategies further multiplies the avenues attackers can exploit. Configuration errors, unpatched systems, and insecure interfaces present ongoing risks. 

Cloud Misconfigurations and Human Errors

Misconfigurations are a leading cause of cloud security incidents. These include mismanaged permissions, open storage buckets, unrestricted network ports, and disabled logging or monitoring. Cloud platforms' flexibility enables rapid deployment, but this same agility can make it easy for administrators to overlook critical settings or misunderstand service defaults. 

Many cloud breaches occur simply because resources were left publicly accessible or sensitive functions allowed overly broad access. Human errors compound these risks: copy-paste mistakes, misunderstanding provider documentation, or overlooking new features can all lead to weakened defenses. 

Insider Threats and Shadow IT

Insider threats encompass both malicious insiders and negligent employees who inadvertently cause security incidents. Cloud platforms are susceptible to insiders abusing privileged access, exporting sensitive data, or sabotaging systems. Unlike outsiders, insiders may already have a trusted position, which makes their actions harder to detect and prevent using traditional perimeter-based defenses. 

This risk is heightened in the cloud, where access can be granted from anywhere and to a broad set of services. Shadow IT (use of unauthorized cloud services or applications) is another threat vector. When employees bypass sanctioned solutions for convenience, IT and security teams lose visibility and control, potentially exposing the organization to unapproved data flows or unsupported software. 

Lack of Visibility and Control

Losing visibility into cloud workloads, data flows, and user actions is a common challenge, especially as cloud adoption grows across departments and geographies. Cloud environments often lack the transparency of traditional on-premises setups, making it difficult for organizations to monitor, analyze, and enforce security policies centrally. 

Blind spots include unmanaged assets, unlogged user activity, and unsanctioned third-party integrations. This lack of control can delay detection and response to incidents, increase compliance risks, and allow vulnerabilities to persist unnoticed. 

Cloud Security Best Practices 

Organizations should consider the following practices to ensure security in cloud environments.

1. Adopt Zero Trust and Identity-First Principles

Zero trust is a security approach where no device, user, or network is inherently trusted, regardless of location. Identity-first security elevates the importance of strong authentication, authorization, and continuous verification. Together, these principles defend cloud environments by enforcing least-privilege access, requiring continuous validation of users and devices, and segmenting resources to limit lateral movement. 

By default, everything is assumed untrusted until explicitly verified. Successful zero trust and identity-first implementation starts with strong IAM, MFA, continuous monitoring, and granular policy enforcement. Organizations must map data flows and user access patterns, automate identity governance, and leverage conditional access controls to adapt to emerging threats. 

2. Implement IaC with Security Scanning

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) automates the provisioning and management of cloud resources, enabling consistency and rapid deployment. Integrating security scanning into IaC workflows allows organizations to detect and correct misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and policy violations before resources are deployed. 

Security as Code ensures that infrastructure aligns with baseline security standards from the outset, rather than retrofitting controls afterward.  Tools that scan IaC templates—such as Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or Azure Resource Manager—can highlight issues like public access, insecure protocols, or unchecked permissions as part of CI/CD pipelines. 

3. Apply Least Privilege Access and MFA

The principle of least privilege enforces that users and services are only granted the minimum permissions required to perform their duties. This limits the scope of potential impact if credentials are compromised or inadvertently misused. By separating duties, regularly reviewing access rights, and removing dormant accounts, organizations can meaningfully reduce attack surface and privilege abuse risks in cloud environments. 

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another essential layer, requiring users to present multiple proofs of identity (such as a password plus a mobile prompt or biometric verification). MFA is especially critical for privileged accounts and remote access scenarios. Least privilege and MFA form a strong baseline against credential theft, phishing, and unauthorized escalation.

4. Adopt Automation for Security Operations (SecOps)

Automation in security operations allows organizations to respond rapidly and consistently to incidents, errors, and policy violations. Automated workflows can handle alert triage, threat containment, patch deployment, configuration enforcement, and compliance checks–all essential tasks complicated by cloud scale and velocity. 

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) solutions help centralize and simplify these processes across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.  Aside from reducing manual workload and human error, automation enables round-the-clock vigilance, faster recovery times, and improved integration between security and IT teams. 

5. Create a Security Culture Through Continuous Training

Technology and processes are not enough if users lack awareness. Continuous training and security awareness programs build a culture where everyone understands their role in securing cloud assets. Regular training on topics like phishing, strong authentication, data handling, and recognizing suspicious activity reduces the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks or unintentional data breaches. 

Dynamic, cloud-focused curriculum should be tailored to the organization’s environment and user roles, using targeted simulations, microlearning, and just-in-time education. Measuring effectiveness and iterating based on feedback ensures the program remains current and impactful. 

CADR with Oligo Security

Cloud Application Detection & Response (CADR) is widely recognized as the future of cloud security, providing the best runtime solution to protect cloud environments and surface runtime telemetry for prioritization and threat detection. See why Oligo is a leader in Cloud Application Detection & Response (CADR).