What Is Cloud Application Security?

As cloud-based applications become an ever-present part of businesses across industries, security leaders struggle to ensure sensitive company, customer and employee data remains protected. The rise of remote and hybrid work further illuminated the need for sophisticated tools, processes and policies to mitigate potential risks. 

Enter cloud application security, which aims to protect a company’s applications and data that live in the cloud – from sales lists to source code to product roadmaps. Successful implementation enhances data visibility and maintains a secure workplace.

Here, we’ll dive into cloud application security to discover why it’s essential, different types of cloud security threats you should look out for, available solutions and best practices for getting it right.

What Is Cloud Application Security?

Cloud application security is the set of people, processes, tools and policies that an organization uses to safeguard its data and applications. To properly leverage cloud app security, businesses must take a holistic approach. This means establishing and maintaining an ecosystem grounded in proven best practices and bolstered by intelligent technology.

It’s no surprise that 48% of tech companies invest in cloud computing technology innovations, as they enable faster, more seamless scaling without a hefty financial commitment. Businesses across every industry also take advantage of cloud computing’s promise for greater flexibility and reduced maintenance — a distinct leg up against traditional server models. 

But despite those benefits, cloud computing presents some clear challenges; the most concerning of which include decreased privacy and security. As employees share, access and store data in-and-between various cloud applications; network security risks, vulnerability against attacks and the possibility for data breaches and loss all increase. 

Why Is Cloud App Security Necessary? 

Businesses can’t afford to ignore the risks associated with a multi-cloud environment (i.e., cloud computing services from at least two different providers), as the average cost of a data breach in 2022 was $9.44 million in the U.S. and $4.35 million globally . Since the majority of organizations use several different types of cloud applications — like communication and collaboration apps, online backup apps and cloud-based accounting software — they need a modern cloud app security practice that ensures visibility and control over the different types of data in each of those apps.