The Cloud Data Security Landscape: Top Solutions for 2024

By SentinelOne
October 29, 2024

Let’s face it: the cloud isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s where most of our critical business data lives now. Recent studies show that over 60% of corporate data is stored in the cloud, and that number is only going up. However, as organizations rush to embrace the cloud, our security measures haven’t always kept pace. A survey reveals that more than half of the respondents struggle to manage a complete solution in multi-cloud environments. This is where cloud solutions play an important role.

This article examines ten leading cloud data security solutions, evaluating their core capabilities, strengths, and potential limitations. We’ll provide insights to help you assess whether your current security posture is sufficient or if it’s time for a strategic upgrade of security.

What is Cloud Data Security?

Cloud data security wraps your digital assets in layers of sophisticated protection measures. It includes a comprehensive set of technologies, protocols, and policies designed to safeguard your business’s data throughout its lifecycle—from ingestion and storage to processing and transmission—in cloud environments.

These measures include implementing robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls, encryption (both at rest and in transit), Data Loss Prevention (DLP) mechanisms, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions, and maintaining regulatory compliance frameworks like GDPR and HIPAA. Modern cloud data security also integrates seamlessly with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, employing shift-left security principles and incorporating advanced threat detection capabilities powered by machine learning algorithms to protect against sophisticated attack vectors.

The Need for Cloud Data Security Solutions

First, let’s talk about business outcomes. Tampered data is never good news. The importance of securing data is self-explanatory, as evidenced by the infamous Facebook data breach that exposed 530 million users’ accounts and passwords. The breach resulted in a hefty $5 billion fine imposed by the FTC and, perhaps more damaging, a significant drop in customer trust.

Recent examples that stress the need for competent cloud data security solutions include:

• Toyota’s Cloud Misconfiguration (June 2023): Exposed data from 260,000 customers due to a misconfiguration that went unnoticed for over eight years. Hackers accessed in-vehicle device IDs and map data updates, highlighting the risks of simple errors in cloud settings.

• Real Estate Wealth Networks Breach (December 2023): One of the largest leaks in U.S. history, exposing over 1.5 billion records due to unprotected folders and system access. This incident created a massive security nightmare for the company and those affected.

In each case, inadequate data protection is not just a security risk—it is a financial and reputational liability. The Cloud Security Alliance’s 2022 study found that 67% of organizations are already storing sensitive data in public clouds, yet 44% admit their confidence in protecting that data is low.

The disconnect stems from the complexity of multi-cloud environments and misconfigurations that make securing cloud infrastructures challenging. It’s time for businesses to re-evaluate their cloud security posture and implement AI-driven solutions that can detect misconfigurations in real-time, automatically trigger response protocols, and offer deep forensic analysis in the event of a security incident.

Cloud Data Security Solutions Landscape in 2024

As companies move to the cloud, attack surfaces will continue to expand. Modernizing your business strategy is crucial for staying competitive. Here are the top ten cloud data security solutions in 2024.

1. SentinelOne Singularity™ Cloud

Description
SentinelOne Singularity Cloud is an enterprise Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that provides seamless and autonomous security for your cloud environments. It unifies advanced capabilities across multiple layers, including containers, workloads, serverless functions, and cloud infrastructure for better control and visibility.

The solution uses AI and threat intelligence to detect and neutralize advanced threats, such as Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and zero-day malware. SentinelOne runs all scans locally, keeping sensitive data within your network and meeting strict regulatory compliance and privacy standards.

Key Features

• Advanced Misconfiguration Prevention: Continuous analysis and identification of misconfigurations across cloud services.
• Real-Time Secret Scanning: Detects over 750 types of secrets and cloud credentials within public repositories.
• Policy Enforcement: Applies 2,000+ pre-built checks for detecting security drifts.
• Graph-Based Risk Visualization: Offers a detailed visual map of relationships between resources and potential impact zones.
• Immediate Cloud Forensics: Captures and analyzes real-time data on malicious activity.

2. Trellix MVISION

Description
Trellix MVISION is a full-spectrum Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) defense solution designed to secure data and mitigate threats across various cloud environments. It offers real-time threat detection and mitigation via McAfee’s Global Threat Intelligence.

Key Features

• Threat Protection Workspace: Visualizes threats faster than traditional alert lists.
• Behavioral Pattern Detection: Evaluates threat patterns to identify associated risks.
• ML/AI Capabilities: Automates prioritization and prescription of potential risks.

3. Symantec DLP

Description
Symantec DLP offers broad data protection from a single control point, covering endpoints, email, storage, cloud apps, and more. It monitors software activity and understands files’ context and content.

Key Features

• Data Classification and Encryption: Provides total control over sensitive data throughout its lifecycle.
• Cloud-Native Capabilities: Monitors and protects data stored in cloud environments like AWS and Azure.

4. Netskope

Description
Netskope is a cloud-native platform that merges security and networking to drive Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust transformation.

Key Features

• Unified Management: Manages security across branches, remote sites, and multi-cloud environments.
• Machine Learning-Based Content Analysis: Classifies uncategorized URLs for better security.

5. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud

Description
Prisma Cloud tackles the challenges of discovering and safeguarding data in fast-paced public cloud environments.

Key Features

• End-to-End Security Management: Protects cloud-native apps, VMs, containers, and serverless functions.
• Integration with Popular IDEs: Identifies and resolves vulnerabilities early in the development cycle.

6. Fortra’s Digital Guardian

Description
Digital Guardian scans and safeguards sensitive data before it’s shared, enforcing both soft and hard limits on user actions.

Key Features

• Automated Threat Blocking: Provides behavior-based rules that automatically block malware attacks.
• On-Demand Scanning: Monitors and controls sensitive data across the network.

7. Forcepoint DLP

Description
Forcepoint DLP focuses on mitigating human-centric risks by providing visibility and control over data.

Key Features

• Custom Encryption Identification: Detects concealed data using signature analysis.
• Machine Learning Capabilities: Trains the system to identify unfamiliar data patterns.

8. Varonis

Description
Varonis protects against threats by analyzing account activity and locking down sensitive or stale data.

Key Features

• User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): Detects insider threats and cyberattacks.
• Automated Risk Reduction: Continuously monitors and adjusts permissions.

9. Microsoft Purview Information Protection

Description
Microsoft Purview focuses on unified data governance, security, and compliance management across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.

Key Features

• Sensitive Data Classification: Applies labels to sensitive data using pre-built classifiers.
• User Activity Insights: Provides visibility into how sensitive data is being used.

10. Check Point CloudGuard

Description
Check Point CloudGuard CNAPP is a web and API security solution that leverages contextual AI for precise threat prevention.

Key Features

• Unified Threat Management: Optimized for AWS, Azure, and other cloud environments.
• AI-Driven Web Application Firewall: Provides preemptive protection against zero-day threats.

How to Choose the Right Cloud Data Security Solution?

After evaluating the breakdown of each option listed, the next step is to translate all this information into actionable decision-making. With so many offerings, it’s crucial to align your preferred solution’s strengths with your specific data security needs. Here are some critical parameters to consider in your selection:

1. Visibility

You can’t protect what you can’t see. Ensure your security solution provides real-time visibility across multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

2. Compatibility with Your Organization’s Tech Stack

Ask specific questions about integration with your current DevOps, security, and monitoring tools. The goal is to have a security solution that supports and improves your stack’s capabilities.

3. Backup and Data Restoration

Look for solutions that automate regular backups, encrypt them in transit and at rest, and provide secure, fast recovery options.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Data Sovereignty

Ensure your solution supports data localization to comply with local data protection laws.

5. Scalability

Choose solutions that support multi-region deployments and can auto-scale to meet demand as your organization expands.

Conclusion

Cloud data security solutions are essential for safeguarding sensitive information and protecting against ransomware. The right solution depends on your organization’s needs. For companies struggling with visibility, platforms that map your entire data estate across multiple clouds are essential. If compatibility with your existing tools is a priority, a solution with API flexibility and strong automation support will save you headaches.

Ultimately, the right solution isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s the one that aligns with your operational processes and scales with growing demands. Cloud data security solutions are now integral to business strategies, directly influencing operational continuity, risk management, and customer trust. Platforms like SentinelOne go a step further by automating threat detection, ensuring real-time compliance checks, and delivering AI-driven scalability, helping businesses stay agile and secure as they grow.

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FAQs

1. What are cloud security solutions?

Cloud security solutions protect cloud-based networks by consolidating the monitoring and analysis of devices, endpoints, and systems for continuous defense.

2. Which cloud platform is best for cloud data security?

The best cloud platform depends on your organization’s security needs. Platforms like SentinelOne and AWS lead the way with advanced threat detection and automated responses.

3. How do we ensure cloud security?

Set up firewalls, use IAM, encrypt all data, schedule regular backups, and employ AI-powered tools for monitoring and patching vulnerabilities.

4. Which tool is used for securing cloud data?

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) software is an integrated security tool that works to secure cloud data.

5. Why is cloud data security important?

Robust cloud security protects against financial losses and reputational damage while enabling safe innovation and compliance with regulations.