A recent report found that 56% of cloud security professionals in the Middle East prioritize zero-trust strategies more than data and privacy, and regulatory compliance. The Future of Cloud Security in the Middle East white paper, launched by Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE government, surveyed 584 global cloud security experts. 

The report noted that the region is collectively adopting a cloud-first strategy, making non-cloud environments obsolete in recent years. Cloud solutions are also favorable due to their flexibility, the report added. One such example is the trend of combining sovereign and hybrid clouds into local or regional multi-cloud strategies, strengthening the digital economy.

Similarly, the paper explored attitudes to cybersecurity and privacy protection controls within cloud spaces. A total of 43% of surveyees credited security as the most vital factor when deciding which cloud provider to choose. 

Multi-factor authentication gained popularity among respondents as a key player in feeling secure, followed by encryption at 32%. The report unveiled a decline in passwords as a security method, recording 16% of respondents mentioning they would adopt this strategy.