Check Point Software Highlights the Growing Cloud Security Skills Gap and Its Impact on Organizational Defense

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, has issued a stark warning: as cloud environments grow in use, organizations are struggling to protect them due to a lack of cyber security expertise. The “2024 Cloud Security Report” indicates a significant gap in skills, with more than half of surveyed security professionals rating their team’s capabilities as average or below. 

• Rise in Cloud Security Incidents: 61% of organizations experienced at least one security incident related to public cloud use in the past year, a significant increase from 24% the previous year. Data breaches were the most common and can lead to severe fines and reputational damage. The upcoming NIS2 directive will likely heighten the impact of such breaches. 

• Barriers to Cyber security Defense: Lack of security awareness among employees is the top barrier, cited by 41% of experts. A shortage of qualified personnel is another major concern, with 32% of respondents identifying a lack of cyber security skills as a key issue for organizations. 

• Training and Skills Gap: Despite the importance of cyber security training, 44% of organizations only provide training annually. A mere 26% conduct monthly sessions, contributing to a skills deficit and increasing vulnerability to sophisticated cyberattacks. 

• Shortage of Cyber security Experts: 76% of survey respondents reported a shortage of cyber security experts within their organizations. Despite facing more sophisticated threats, 52% rated their team’s security skills as average or below average, risking significant financial damages from successful attacks. 

• Impact of AI Technologies: The integration of AI and ML technologies intensifies the need for new skills. 49% of respondents indicated a need for their security experts to acquire new AI-related skills, while 35% are concerned about the lack of knowledge hindering AI adoption. Access to training and resources is crucial for overcoming these barriers. 

“Organizations must prioritize education and prevention in cyber security,” says Ram Narayanan, Country Manager at Check Point Software Technologies, Middle East. “It’s concerning that while 40% of organizations view prevention and mitigation as their biggest challenge, only 21% prioritize it. This disconnect suggests that many don’t believe prevention is achievable in their current state.” 

Companies must reassess their approach to security, prioritizing prevention, education, and the use of top-tier security solutions. In cyber security, second best is not enough. Currently, 36% of organizations doubt their ability to handle unknown risks and zero-day attacks like Log4j, while 55% have some confidence but still harbor concerns. However, sophisticated solutions like Check Point CloudGuard offer advanced protection, enhancing the overall security posture. As part of the Check Point Infinity Platform, CloudGuard enables centralized and automated security management, compliance, and policy enforcement, providing comprehensive visibility and control over cloud environments. 

To address the cyber security skills gap, Check Point is actively involved in education through its Infinity Platform Services. This includes providing a variety of training programs and certification courses, incorporating interactive and gamified learning methods such as escape rooms and hacker hunts to make learning engaging and effective. These resources help organizations elevate their security teams to the next level of expertise. 

Organizations facing technological challenges or skill gaps need to proactively update their strategies. Cybercriminals are relentless in exploiting any weakness, making it crucial for companies to strengthen their defenses and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.