The Tough Challenge of Cloud Security

Cybersec Netherlands, taking place on September 10 and 11, welcomes cybersecurity expert Max Heinemeyer for a keynote on cloud security.
“Almost every organization is competing for the scarce pool of cyber talent,” Heinemeyer notes. “And good luck finding an analyst for multi-cloud environments. They’re rarer than unicorns.”

With over fifteen years of experience in penetration testing, red teaming, and tracking Advanced Persistent Threat groups, Max Heinemeyer, cybersecurity expert at Darktrace, will provide an in-depth analysis of today’s threat landscape at Cybersec Netherlands.

That landscape is, to put it mildly, complex. The shift in IT infrastructure adds significant complexity that’s hard to secure, says Heinemeyer. “First, there’s cloud adoption and transitions,” he explains. “Then you’ve got the disappearing perimeter, hybrid environments, IT & OT convergence, and growing interconnectivity between organizations.”

These developments, he argues, have created a “perfect storm.” “Cybercriminals are specifically targeting cloud systems, which are now the heartbeat of most companies.”

AI Is Amplifying Threats

In addition to organizational complexity, Heinemeyer sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a major new challenge. “Cybercrime is becoming more professional, cybercrime-as-a-service is booming. Attackers are actively using AI to scale, speed up, and better contextualize their attacks.”

Meanwhile, CISOs struggle with the pressure to adopt AI while not yet fully understanding or controlling their data. “This creates new risk zones around data security and governance.”

The Cloud Security Talent Shortage

One of the most urgent issues, Heinemeyer notes, is the shortage of qualified professionals. “There simply aren’t enough cybersecurity experts to meet the needs of all organizations. Everyone’s competing for the same talent pool.”

And it gets even more complex in the cloud—especially multi-cloud. “Lucky enough to have found a strong SOC level 3 analyst? Good luck finding one who can handle incidents across multi-cloud environments. They’re rarer than unicorns,” he says with a wink.

Practical Solutions

Despite the challenges, Heinemeyer offers concrete guidance. He urges organizations to make sure CISOs have a seat at the table: “Is the CISO being heard by the right decision-makers?”

He also advocates for automation and modern security tooling. “There are fantastic tools available that can handle cloud security complexity and reduce the skill burden on your teams.”

Crucially, he recommends a holistic approach: “Don’t treat cloud like a 2000s security puzzle—just firewalls, antivirus, and vulnerability scans. Think holistically and don’t replicate legacy stacks that never really worked.”

Collective Defense Is Key

In his keynote, Heinemeyer will also explore the potential of cross-sector information sharing and coordinated defense strategies. His session aims to provide valuable insights for cybersecurity professionals, IT managers, and policymakers grappling with the significant security challenges of today’s digital world.

As cyber attacks continue to threaten today’s tech landscape, this event is the premier platform for seasoned cyber security professionals and innovative start-ups to exchange knowledge and tackle cybersecurity challenges together. Organizations across all sectors will discover strategies to boost cyber resilience and safeguard critical assets. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your cyber defenses—register for free now!