55 “ The most successful organisations will view security not as a technical burden, but as a key enabler of digital innovation” particularly well-implemented through solutions like Microsoft Entra ID, provides continuous verification rather than traditional perimeter-based security. The model operates on the principle of ‘never trust, always verify’, and conducts constant authentication checks based on multiple parameters, from device identity to geographic location. These insights tell us that strategic cloud security requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional IT practices. Organisations must thoughtfully invest in security and understand that different types of data need distinct levels of protection. This means creating strong security measures to safeguard sensitive information while keeping systems efficient and flexible. Developing robust backup strategies that can't be compromised by ransomware is also crucial, as is taking advantage of built-in security features from cloud providers and maintaining consistent security policies. Lastly, it is key to involve a wide range of stakeholders in security planning. This includes not just technical teams, but also legal, risk management and compliance experts. By bringing together these diverse perspectives, organisations can create more effective security strategies that protect their digital assets, support business growth, and adapt to changing cyberthreats. James Pearce, our chief technology officer at Atech x Iomart, states that “while organisations can leverage AI for real-time threat detection, adversaries are using the same technology to launch more sophisticated attacks and businesses must take a proactive, intelligence-led approach to cloud security to stay ahead”. The most successful organisations will view security not as a technical burden, but as a key enabler of digital innovation and resilience. The future of cloud security lies in finding the right balance between protection and operational efficiency. As organisations continue to expand their cloud footprints, the focus should be on building resilient security architectures that can adapt to evolving threats while supporting business growth. Success isn’t about implementing the most stringent controls everywhere, but rather about understanding where to apply security friction and where to optimise for performance. The most successful organisations will be those that can maintain this balance and stay ahead of regulatory requirements and emerging threats, all while keeping their cloud environments efficient and cost-effective. Nathan Jamieson is chief information security officer at Atech x Iomart
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