From sales and marketing to customer support and analytics, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms have become central to day-to-day operations. But as the cloud becomes more embedded in business processes, so also does the risk. According to recent research, 82 percent of data breaches now target cloud-based data, with ransomware leading the charge. By 2031, global losses tied to malware are projected to hit a staggering US$10.5 trillion annually. The speed and scale of today’s cyber threats mean that cloud security can no longer be treated as someone else’s job.
What shared responsibility really means
A major reason for complacency around cloud security is a lack of clarity over who’s actually responsible for what. Most SaaS providers operate under a shared responsibility model, which means they’ll secure the infrastructure that powers the service, but the liability is on customers to secure how the platform is used. That includes what data is uploaded, how access is controlled, and what workflows are enabled.
In other words, your cloud provider may protect their data centre, but you’re responsible for what your users bring into the platform. If that includes unscanned attachments, malicious uploads, or sensitive customer data, the risk is yours to manage.
Let’s take Salesforce as an example. As one of the most widely adopted enterprise platforms, Salesforce is home to everything from pipeline forecasts and customer files to invoices and contracts. It’s also a place where multiple teams, from sales to service, collaborate and share documents every day.
But in that environment, even a single malicious file upload can cause serious problems. It can sit in a shared folder unnoticed, be sent to customers, or interact with other systems via APIs all going undetected or without ever triggering alarms — unless the right security measures are in place.
Routes to responsibility: Options and trade-offs
So, how can CIOs meet their security obligations under the shared responsibility model?
One option is to design a tailored on-premise solution that routes cloud traffic through an internal security gateway. But this approach can quickly become complex and costly. It impacts user experience and undermines the core advantages that originally motivated the organisation’s cloud migration strategy.
A far more effective route is to embed security directly into the cloud platform using native integrations available through that service’s own marketplace. These solutions are purpose-built to sit within the cloud environment, meaning they can be deployed rapidly, scale as needed, and operate seamlessly without creating new IT overhead.
They also align with existing procurement models. Instead of negotiating separate vendor contracts and undergoing lengthy compliance reviews, CIOs can procure and deploy trusted security solutions as easily as adding a plug-in. This streamlines rollout while reinforcing trust, both internally and with customers.
It has to be fast, and invisible
Once the decision has been made to embed security into the cloud environment, the next step is choosing the right solution. And here, it’s important to match the rhythm of real-world business activity.
Take file uploads, for example. On a cloud platform used for daily operations, files move quickly as they’re shared between teams, attached to records, and exchanged with external partners. This speed is a strength, but it also makes it easy for an infected file to do damage before it’s detected. Worse still, some malware strains can lie dormant or disguise themselves as legitimate files, evading basic security filters.
That’s why CIOs should seek out solutions that automatically scan every upload in real time, using advanced threat detection that includes behaviour-based analysis, deep file inspection, and Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR). Protection must be automatic, invisible to the user, and capable of catching both known and unknown threats. The goal isn’t just to prevent a breach. It’s to maintain the speed of business while staying secure.
Compliance: Not just a checkbox
Defending against cyber threats and fulfilling regulatory compliance are both essential components of a comprehensive security strategy. Whether you’re operating under GDPR in the EU, CCPA in California, or local data protection regulations in the GCC, compliance is non-negotiable. In some sectors, particularly finance and healthcare, organisations are also bound by standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, or SWIFT CSCF.
Failure to comply can result in significant penalties, not to mention reputational damage. That’s why any security solution selected should be capable of supporting compliance out of the box, with features like audit trails, policy enforcement, and data classification. It’s about building peace of mind into your processes.
Scaling with the business
Modern cloud usage is often unpredictable. One month, your business might be uploading hundreds of files; the next, it could be thousands. Your security approach needs to scale just as flexibly, without sacrificing speed or reliability.
This means choosing solutions architected for the cloud: high-performance, API-driven, and capable of adapting to workload fluctuations. It also means flexibility in pricing. Models that reflect usage, not rigid seat counts, will ensure that your investment aligns with your actual risk surface, not just your headcount.
Own the risk, protect the platform
For CIOs, cloud platforms are no longer peripheral tools, they’re mission-critical systems. That means treating them with the same severity as your data center or core network. The shared responsibility model is clear: providers secure their stack; you secure your data and how it’s used.
At the same time, taking responsibility doesn’t mean compromising usability. With cloud-native security tools, you can embed protection that’s fast, seamless, and scalable, all without slowing your teams down or burdening IT with complexity.
Because in a world where malware can slip in with a single upload, visibility and control aren’t optional, they’re essential.
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