# Why Focusing on Cloud Security is Crucial Over the Coming Year
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The Importance of Cloud Security
In the current climate of economic uncertainty, particularly with discussions of a potential recession in 2022, it may seem like a bleak time for many industries. However, history shows that recessions are temporary, and job markets tend to rebound. It's crucial to remain focused and ensure that you possess skills that are relevant and in demand, especially if job security becomes a concern.
Among the most promising areas to invest your efforts is in Cloud Security. As a cybersecurity professional, prioritizing your understanding of this field should be a key focus moving forward. The surge in cloud adoption following the pandemic has been unprecedented, with many organizations rapidly advancing their cloud strategies. Consequently, the demand for cloud security experts is poised to increase significantly, making this an ideal moment to enhance your career prospects.
If you're still on the fence, consider these compelling reasons:
Reason #1: The Cloud is Here to Stay
Gartner's forecasts for technology trends in 2022 highlighted Cloud Native Platforms as a major focus for organizations. These platforms are specifically designed for the cloud rather than simply migrating existing on-premise applications. Companies are moving away from merely transferring their applications to the cloud and are instead re-engineering them to leverage the benefits of serverless architectures, microservices, and containerization.
As applications evolve to be more "cloud-aware" and optimize the advantages of cloud computing, the need for cloud-native skills will become increasingly essential to manage the risks that accompany this shift.
Source: Gartner
Reason #2: Traditional On-Premise Skills are Becoming Obsolete
If the growing demand for cloud expertise isn’t enough to convince you, consider that traditional on-premise security skills are becoming less relevant. While this won't happen overnight, those without cloud security expertise risk being sidelined as companies transition to extensive cloud operations.
Reflect on whether you possess any of the following skills:
- Serverless architecture
- Infrastructure as Code
- Securing hybrid cloud environments
- Container security and orchestration
If you answered "NO" and are still focused on securing physical infrastructures through outdated methods, it's time to adapt. Investing in cloud security education is vital, and fortunately, you don't have to break the bank for training. I’ve launched a dedicated YouTube channel to help with this transition, and I encourage you to subscribe for valuable content.
Reason #3: Cybercriminals are Leveraging the Cloud
The final point, which should be a strong motivator, is that cybercriminals have already embraced the cloud. The significant computing power and scalable storage offered by cloud services provide tangible benefits to those engaged in cybercrime. Criminals have quickly adopted these technologies to efficiently process and monetize the vast amounts of stolen data.
Trend Micro highlights how the cloud has revolutionized cybercrime:
“Cloud services and technologies enable businesses to be more agile, scalable, and cost-effective. The business of selling access to a cloud of logs does the same, but for cybercrime. The cloud has equipped illegal businesses operated by criminals with the capability to effectively manage massive datasets and deliver services. By using cloud platforms, criminals are provided with the technology to efficiently mine, process, and host massive amounts of stolen data.”
Taimur Ijlal is an award-winning leader in information security with over two decades of experience in cybersecurity and IT risk management within the fintech sector. You can connect with Taimur on LinkedIn or through his blog. He also runs the "Cloud Security Guy" YouTube channel, where he shares insights on cloud security, artificial intelligence, and career advice in cybersecurity.
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