In response to the growing trend of organizations adopting multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, where data is distributed across various platforms and accessed through many devices and networks, Alibaba Cloud has recently announced new features for its unified security solution and content delivery service.
A recent survey from Statista revealed that as of 2024, 73 percent of enterprises reported using a hybrid cloud setup in their organizations. Additionally, an IDC report indicates that almost 90% of enterprises in Asia Pacific are embracing multiple clouds.
With a marked increase in the adoption of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud solutions, many enterprises often use various security tools from different cloud vendors, each addressing specific cybersecurity needs. While this diversity can enhance defenses, it also complicates management and integration.
This is why Alibaba Cloud has rolled out advanced security features for its Security Center, a centralized security management system. These new capabilities are specifically designed to address the heightened security challenges that come with the increased complexity of modern cloud architectures in support of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other IT initiatives.
New features in Security Center for better optimization
The Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tool is a new standout feature of the Security Center. This innovative solution enables organizations operating in multi-cloud environments to monitor configurations and compliance across various cloud platforms. Previously limited to single-cloud environments, CSPM is a game-changer for users navigating a complex cloud landscape.
“Alibaba Cloud Security provides CSPM capabilities in the Cloud Security Center product, offering over 700 detection items and over 100 one-click remediation configurations. This enables the detection of cloud platform security configuration issues, identity and permission management problems, and meets users’ compliance detection needs and continuous security risk monitoring requirements,” said Ouyang Xin, General Manager of Security Products, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
With over 700 product configuration checks available, CSPM simplifies security hardening, easing the management of multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud security. The Security Center also offers a one-click remediation feature, allowing users to adjust configurations directly from the console. This empowers organizations to address vulnerabilities promptly, significantly enhancing their security posture.
With a cloud-native architecture, the Security Center covers the entire lifecycle of security operations, providing comprehensive protection and simplifying security operations. It offers continuous monitoring of cloud resources, allowing for real-time detection of potential threats, immediate action against malicious attacks, and comprehensive analysis to identify and resolve issues swiftly.
Another key addition is the Cloud Threat Detection & Response (C-TDR) solution, another cloud-native security solution that enhances detection, analysis, and response capabilities. It integrates seamlessly with Alibaba Cloud’s products for a unified approach to managing security threats.
As cyber threats evolve, particularly with the rise of AI, the Security Center utilizes Alibaba Cloud’s large language model (LLM) Qwen to identify and detect security anomalies, launch defense mechanisms, and provide security consulting services for users in China.
“Information security is crucial to all technology implementations as it ensures the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data that the IT systems rely on to make accurate decisions. AI systems, in particular, often process vast amounts of sensitive data, making them attractive targets for cyberattacks. Without robust security, AI models can be manipulated through data poisoning, unauthorized access, or adversarial attacks, compromising trust and leading to harmful outcomes. Effective information security measures help maintain AI’s reliability and ethical use, protecting individuals and organizations from potential risks,” Ouyang said.
The Security Center has become a preferred choice among Alibaba Cloud’s international customers across diverse industries, including finance and e-commerce.
BES Global, a digital application and platform development company in Singapore, has utilized Alibaba Cloud’s robust and secure infrastructure to digitalize its business. The company faced challenges with connectivity between Mainland China and international locations, which was crucial for its operations. Partnering with Alibaba Cloud allows BES Global to address these challenges.
“By adopting Alibaba Cloud’s robust infrastructure and cloud-native security solutions, BES Global has improved its operational efficiency and ensured data security, empowering us to expand global services effectively,” Robin Ma, Managing Director of BES Global, said.
Enhancing edge security to provide closer protection to end-users
Today, more data and applications are handled closer to the users. With computing resources distributed near users and devices, these endpoints can be vulnerable to cyber threats, making it crucial to safeguard them to protect user data and overall network integrity.
Alibaba Cloud has upgraded its Dynamic Content Delivery Network (DCDN) to tackle these challenges, enhancing it with advanced edge security features. The new offering, Edge Security Acceleration (ESA), safeguards crucial workloads on edge infrastructure, ensuring that data and applications remain protected from unauthorized access, breaches, and other vulnerabilities.
New capabilities include Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) protection, Web Application Firewall (WAF), Bot Management, API Security, and SSL certificates–all delivered natively through Alibaba Cloud’s extensive global network of over 3,200 nodes. It significantly reduces latency and minimizes the risk of failures while meeting the needs of various industries, including games, e-commerce, and financial services.
In the financial services sector, where high network availability and security are paramount, ESA provides critical protection for dynamic and interactive financial transactions. With advanced features like edge WAF and edge DDoS protection, ESA ensures every transaction meets the highest security standards.
With over 140 security and compliance accreditations worldwide, Alibaba Cloud offers a wide range of security products, including Anti-DDoS protection, WAF, Cloud Firewall, Key Management Service, and Certificate Management Service.
