Survey Finds Majority of Businesses Risk Sensitive Data in Cloud

Thales, leader in information systems and communications security announces that eighty-two percent of organizations already transfer, or plan to transfer, sensitive or confidential data into the cloud environment according to Encryption in the Cloud, a global study of 4,000 business and IT managers conducted by the Ponemon Institute and commissioned by Thales.

The study examines perceptions and current practices surrounding the threats and protection issues relating to sensitive or confidential data in the cloud. It reveals startling attitudes about who is considered responsible for protecting this valuable and often regulated class of data – the cloud service provider or cloud service consumer. The findings are also significant in explaining where data encryption is applied inside and outside the cloud and, most importantly who manages the associated encryption keys.

The study goes on to examine some of the more practical aspects of encryption deployment in particular, and specifically addresses questions about whether organizations apply encryption themselves before data leaves the organization’s environment or whether encryption is expected to be a component of the cloud services they use. In the case of cloud-based encryption, the report considers the role of encryption for protecting stored data as well as application-based encryption, which typically applies protection more selectively, potentially protecting individual data items.

Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder, Ponemon Institute, says:
“It’s a rather sobering thought that nearly half of respondents say that their organization already transfers sensitive or confidential data to the cloud even though thirty-nine percent admit that their security posture has been reduced as a result. This clearly demonstrates that for many organizations the economic benefits of using the cloud outweigh the security concerns. However, it is particularly interesting to note that it is those organizations that have a strong overall security posture that appear to be more likely to transfer this class of information to the cloud environment – possibly because they most understand how and where to use tools such as encryption to protect their data and retain control . What is perhaps most surprising is that nearly two thirds of those that move sensitive data to the cloud regard their service providers as being primarily responsible for protecting that data, even though a similar number have little or no knowledge about what measures their providers have put in place to protect data. This represents an enormous opportunity for cloud providers to articulate what they are doing to secure data in the cloud and differentiate themselves from the competition.”

Richard Moulds, vice president, strategy, Thales e-Security, says:
“Staying in control of sensitive or confidential data is paramount for most companies today. For any organization that is still weighing the advantages of using cloud computing with the potential security risks of doing so, it is important to know that encryption is one of the most valuable tools for protecting data. However, just as with any type of encryption, it only delivers meaningful value if deployed correctly and with encryption keys that are managed appropriately. Effective key management is emblematic of control and the need for centralized and automated key management integrated with existing IT business processes is a necessity. Even if you allow your data to be encrypted in the cloud, it’s important to know you can still keep control of your keys. If you control the keys, you control the data.”

KEY FINDINGS:

• What proportion of organizations are already transferring sensitive data to the cloud? About half of all respondents say their organizations currently transfer sensitive or confidential data to the cloud environment.
Another one-third of respondents say their organizations are very likely to transfer sensitive or confidential data to the cloud within the next two years.

• Has the use of cloud computing for sensitive data increased or decreased overall security? The survey found that thirty-nine percent of respondents believe cloud adoption has decreased their companies’ security posture.

• Who is responsible for data security in the cloud? Sixty-four percent of organizations that currently transfer sensitive or confidential data to the cloud believe the cloud provider has primary responsibility for protecting that data.

• How much visibility do decision makers have regarding cloud security?
Nearly two thirds of respondents say they do not know what cloud providers are actually doing in order to protect the sensitive or confidential data entrusted to them.

• Where is data encryption applied? There is almost an even split between respondents who say their organization applies persistent encryption to data before it is transferred to the cloud provider and those that say they rely on encryption that is applied within the cloud environment.

• Who manages the encryption keys when data is transferred to the cloud?
Thirty-six percent of respondents say their organization has primary responsibility for managing the keys. Twenty-two percent say the cloud provider has primary responsibility for encryption key management. Even in cases where encryption is performed inside the enterprise, more than half of respondents hand over control of the keys to the cloud provider.

 

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.