The business case for data-centric security

It is no secret that companies are migrating to the cloud as never before. In O’Reilly’s annual Cloud Adoption Survey, 90% of respondents indicated they used the cloud. In fact, 20% said they planned to move all applications to the cloud in the coming year.

Unfortunately, cloud data security is often an afterthought for many businesses. This has been especially true since the pandemic forced companies to adjust quickly to a remote workforce. As a result, many well-intended companies are creating wide swaths of cloud vulnerabilities that come at a hefty price tag — the average data breach costs companies $3.8 million.

While the threats are real, scare tactics do not seem to generate enough motivation to advance security up the priority queue. So let’s consider a different approach to gain buy-in. What if security leaders presented data security through the lens of value and scale? Forget about what a data breach costs for a moment and focus instead on the data’s value — and on the importance of protecting that value.

Data is the most valuable non-human asset a business has. According to a McKinsey report, 81% of outperformers invest in data analytics centers, compared to 68% of slow performers. Simply put, those investing more heavily in data analytics are primed to win. Let’s take a look at what happens when an organization views data security as a critical means for unlocking value and creating differentiation.

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