The rapid adoption of cloud technologies has brought about a significant transformation in how organizations operate and manage their data. However, despite the benefits, many organizations face substantial security and compliance challenges. Fortinet’s 2025 State of Cloud Security Report sheds light on these prominent concerns by collecting insights from over 800 cybersecurity professionals across multiple industries and regions. The findings reveal the need for more comprehensive cloud security solutions and underscore the ongoing skills shortage in the cybersecurity field.
Reliance on Multiple Cloud Providers
Challenges of Hybrid and Multicloud Environments
In today’s digital era, organizations are increasingly relying on multiple cloud providers to meet their business needs. According to the report, 78% of respondents are using two or more cloud providers, and 54% are deploying hybrid cloud models. Despite the extensive use of cloud infrastructure, security and compliance remain significant hurdles. Over 60% of the surveyed cybersecurity professionals identified these challenges as the primary barriers to further cloud adoption. The complexity involved in managing multiple cloud environments can introduce risks and make it difficult for organizations to maintain a robust security posture.
Additionally, Fortinet’s Vice President, Vincent Hwang, pointed out that even though organizations are leveraging cloud-native protection solutions, a substantial portion remains unsure about their effectiveness in real-time threat detection. The complexity of hybrid and multicloud environments necessitates the adoption of platform-oriented solutions, such as Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP). These platforms integrate various security capabilities, providing a cohesive solution that can enhance both visibility and security across an organization’s cloud infrastructure. By consolidating security functions, CNAPPs can address some of the critical security and compliance challenges associated with using multiple cloud providers.
Consolidating Security Functions for Better Visibility
One of the primary issues with hybrid and multicloud environments is the potential for visibility gaps. These gaps can arise when organizations struggle to monitor and manage security across different cloud platforms. The report highlighted that 97% of organizations believe a unified cloud security platform with a centralized dashboard would be beneficial. Such a platform could provide comprehensive visibility across an entire cloud footprint, mitigating the risks associated with fragmented security management.
A consolidated security approach is particularly important for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), who prioritize maintaining a cohesive security strategy. Consolidating security functions not only improves visibility but also simplifies the management of security policies and compliance requirements. This approach can be instrumental in detecting and responding to real-time threats more effectively. As organizations increasingly transition to cloud-based infrastructure, adopting integrated security solutions will be crucial in overcoming the challenges posed by hybrid and multicloud environments.
Addressing the Cloud Security Skills Shortage
The Impact of Skills Shortage on Cloud Security
A critical concern highlighted in Fortinet’s 2025 report is the ongoing skills shortage in cloud security. An overwhelming 95% of respondents expressed concern about this issue, with 76% indicating that their organizations are directly impacted by the lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals. This skills gap poses a significant risk to maintaining effective security measures and responding to emerging threats in the cloud environment. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the demand for skilled security personnel grows, exacerbating the existing talent shortage.
Fortinet suggested several strategies to mitigate the impact of this skills shortage. Automation of routine security tasks can reduce the reliance on human intervention, allowing security teams to focus on more complex and critical activities. Additionally, investing in the training and development of existing staff can help bridge the skills gap. Organizations can benefit from upskilling their current workforce, enabling them to handle advanced security challenges. Furthermore, the role of channel partners in offering expertise and support is integral to alleviating the pressure caused by the lack of skilled professionals.
Leveraging Automation and Training Existing Staff
To address the cloud security skills shortage effectively, organizations must leverage automation and training to enhance their security capabilities. Automation can play a pivotal role in streamlining security processes, reducing the burden on security personnel. By automating routine tasks such as threat detection, incident response, and compliance monitoring, organizations can achieve greater efficiency and improve their overall security posture. This approach allows security teams to allocate their time and resources to more strategic initiatives, such as threat hunting and vulnerability management.
In addition to automation, training and development programs for existing staff are essential. Continuous education and certification programs can empower employees with the latest knowledge and skills required to tackle emerging cloud security threats. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, organizations can build a competent and resilient security team capable of addressing complex security challenges. Channel partners also play a crucial role in providing specialized expertise and support, helping organizations navigate the complexities of cloud security and manage talent shortages effectively.
Fortinet’s report emphasized the importance of a multi-faceted approach to overcoming the cloud security skills shortage. Combining automation, training, and external expertise can significantly enhance an organization’s ability to protect its cloud infrastructure. As cloud adoption continues to grow, addressing the skills gap will be imperative for maintaining a robust security posture and ensuring effective threat mitigation.
Conclusion
The swift embrace of cloud technologies has revolutionized how companies function and handle their data. However, while cloud adoption offers numerous advantages, many organizations are grappling with considerable security and compliance issues. These challenges are highlighted in Fortinet’s 2025 State of Cloud Security Report, which draws from the insights of over 800 cybersecurity experts from various industries and regions. The report’s findings underscore the critical need for more robust cloud security measures. Additionally, it brings to the forefront the persistent shortage of skilled professionals in the cybersecurity domain. This shortage is a significant hindrance as it limits organizations’ ability to effectively safeguard their cloud environments. Thus, while cloud technologies drive operational efficiencies and innovation, they simultaneously pose ongoing risks that require immediate and strategic attention. Effective solutions and advanced training programs are essential to counter these threats and ensure the secure adoption and management of cloud technologies in the future.
