As businesses worldwide accelerate their shift toward cloud computing, a pressing challenge has emerged: a severe shortage of cloud security engineers. Industry leaders warn that without enough skilled professionals, organizations may struggle to protect their cloud infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Cloud computing, which enables businesses to use hosted services like data storage, networking, and software over the internet, has become a cornerstone of modern digital operations. However, as adoption surges, so does the need for robust security measures. Cloud security engineers play a critical role in designing and implementing protections, ensuring compliance with global industry standards and safeguarding sensitive data from breaches.
The rise in cyber-attacks—ranging from ransomware to phishing—has underscored the urgency for advanced security solutions. While cloud platforms offer built-in defenses like encryption, firewalls, and AI-driven threat detection, experts argue that technology alone is not enough to mitigate risks.
“It is very hard for a company or a customer to operate many products in cybersecurity. What we see is not a product problem…The problem is in the human resources,” explained Motiz Peretz, Vice President of Product at Orca Security, during the CyberTech 2025 conference in Tel Aviv.
“We don’t have enough experienced people in cloud security despite it being the future,” he added, highlighting a growing industry concern.
The skills gap can be attributed to inadequate sensitization about cloud security careers and the relative novelty of the field. According to Bar Kaduri, Head of Research at Orca Security, the rapid pace of development in artificial intelligence and technology demands highly specialized expertise in cloud security.
In response, cybersecurity firms are ramping up training initiatives, encouraging professionals with general cybersecurity skills to specialize in cloud security engineering. These efforts aim to bridge the talent gap and build a workforce equipped to tackle modern security challenges.
Meanwhile, governments are also stepping in to fortify cybersecurity policies. Kenya, for example, has proposed a national cloud computing policy to tighten cybersecurity measures and align with global best practices. Under the proposed framework, entities will be required to prioritize cloud-based solutions when making ICT investments.
As businesses and governments alike recognize the strategic importance of cloud security, the call for more trained professionals is louder than ever. Without swift action, the global shift to cloud computing could be undermined by vulnerabilities that skilled engineers are urgently needed to address.
