According to the report released by Palo Alto Networks, artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as both a key driver of faster cloud application development and the top security risk. The 2024 cloud native security report, based on extensive research from 10 countries and consultations with over 2,800 cloud security and software development and operations (DevOps) professionals, underscores the urgent need for organisations to manage the dual role of AI in cloud security, balancing its potential for innovation with the imperative of robust threat mitigation strategies.

The key findings for India from the report include:

  • India second highest adopter of AI: Regional trailblazers in AI adoption include Singapore (60 per cent), India (58 per cent), and Brazil (57per cent). 58 per cent of Indian respondents said they are using AI extensively to generate and optimise code. Taking a more conservative approach, just over half of organisations in Germany (52 per cent) and Japan (51 per cent) describe their adoption as moderate with selective use.
  • AI threats: More than two in five security professionals (43 per cent) foresee AI-powered threats evading traditional detection techniques, posing a growing risk vector. Additionally, 47 per cent global respondents anticipate AI-fueled supply chain attacks compromising vital software components or cloud services.
  • Consolidation continues: Organisations grapple with the proliferation of cloud security tools, with respondents utilising an average of 16 tools from 14 different vendors. A staggering 91 per cent global respondents highlight the challenge of blind spots created by these disparate tools, hindering risk prioritisation and threat prevention.
  • Optimising legacy cloud applications on the rise: In contrast to other markets, India stands out with 42 per cent of respondents indicating that 30 per cent or more of their cloud total cost of ownership (TCO) is allocated towards optimising legacy applications for the cloud. This focus on legacy app optimisation highlights the importance of ensuring that older systems can seamlessly integrate with cloud technologies to leverage the benefits of cloud computing efficiently.
  • Cloud spending across the world: India (41 per cent), along with Brazil (40 per cent) and Japan (43 per cent), have a high proportion of organisations investing below $10 million in cloud computing, indicating a greater presence of small to medium-sized organisations and conservative spending strategies in these emerging markets. This contrasts with mature markets like the United States and United Kingdom, which continue to invest significantly in moderate ranges, and Australia, Mexico, and Singapore, which exhibit strong cloud spending in higher investment brackets. France and Germany show a mature yet cautious approach, with the bulk of investments falling within the €9 million to €46 million range.

Commenting on the report Anil Valluri, managing director (MD) and vice president (VP) India and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Palo Alto Networks said, “The Palo Alto Networks’ cloud native security report for 2024 highlights both the immense potential and critical challenges facing India’s cloud computing landscape. With India’s relatively rapid adoption of AI, the nation is on the brink of a tech revolution that promises unprecedented innovation and efficiency. However, this also brings emerging threats, with over 40 per cent of security professionals anticipating AI-powered attacks that evade traditional defences. To fully harness cloud computing and AI while safeguarding against these threats, India must balance innovation with robust security measures, policy development, and the adoption of comprehensive, consolidated security solutions”