Strengthening Security in the AI Era: Alibaba Cloud Enhances Security Products for Diverse Cloud Environments

In response to the growing trend of organisations adopting multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, where data is distributed across various platforms and accessed through a multitude of 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 a mix of 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 Centre, a centralised 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 Alibaba Cloud Security Centre for Better Optimisation

One new standout feature of the Security Centre is the Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tool. This innovative solution enables organisations 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 more than 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 the process of security hardening, easing the management of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud security. The Security Center also offers a one-click remediation feature, enabling users to swiftly adjust configurations directly from the console. This empowers organizations to promptly address vulnerabilities, significantly enhancing their security posture.

A cloud-native architecture, the Security Centre covers the full 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 provides comprehensive analysis to swiftly identify and resolve issues.

Another key addition is the Cloud Threat Detection & Response (C-TDR) solution. Another cloud-native security solution to enhance detection, analysis, and response capabilities, integrating 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 Centre also utilises Alibaba Cloud’s large language model (LLM) Qwen to identify and detect security anomalies, launch defence mechanisms and provide security consulting service 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, unauthorised access, or adversarial attacks, which compromise trust and can lead to harmful outcomes. Effective information security measures help maintain the reliability and ethical use of AI, protecting both individuals and organizations from potential risks,” said Ouyang.

The Security Centre 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 utilised Alibaba Cloud’s robust and secure infrastructure to digitalise 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 the data security, enabling us to expand global services effectively,” said Robin Ma, Managing Director at BES Global.

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.

To tackle these challenges, Alibaba Cloud has upgraded its Dynamic Content Delivery Network (DCDN), enhancing it with advanced edge security features. The new offering, called Edge Security Acceleration (ESA), safeguards crucial workloads on edge infrastructure, ensuring that data and applications remain protected from unauthorised 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. This significantly reduces latency and minimises 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.