Cloud environments (46%) outpace databases (37%) and file servers (29%) as the location perceived as being the greatest risk by enterprise organizations.

80% of enterprises globally are making use of cloud environments according to the latest Ovum study.

These and other insights are from the 2015 Vormetric Insider Threat Report (free, opt in) published today. This report provides an insightful analysis into how IT decision makers are navigating the potential benefits of cloud computing and big data versus the perceived and actual threats. Completed by Harris HRS -1.4% Poll with analysis by Ovum, the study is based on a survey of more than 800 senior business managers and IT professionals in major global markets. Please see page 23 of the study for a description of the methodology. While the study has a series of cloud security vendors sponsoring it, several of the findings are useful across a broader context of cloud security strategies globally today.

Key take-aways from the report include the following:

• The actual risk of databases being compromised (47%) is significantly greater the perceived risk (38%).  The perception of cloud risk (40%) is above the actual risk (36%).  The following graphic completed by Ovum profiles the differences between actual and perceived risk.

• Database/File Encryption, Data Access Monitoring, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Privileged User Access Management and Cloud Security Gateways are the five most common security protection levels enterprise are using globally today.

• Big data (31%) is seen as slightly more at risk compared to file servers (29%) by IT decision makers (ITDMs).

• Risks associated with big data initiatives (31%) are now seen as greater than that of file server environments.

• Global respondents cited the top four changes that would increase their willingness to use cloud services. 55% asked for encryption of data with enterprise key control on their premises. 52% selected encryption of their organization’s data within the service provider’s infrastructure. 52% also want service level commitments and liability terms for a data breach. 48% desire explicit security descriptions and compliance commitments.

• 93% of enterprises are looking to increase or maintain existing spending on IT security and data protection over the next twelve months.

• 89% of respondents felt that their organization was now more at risk from an insider attack; 34% felt very or extremely vulnerable.

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