By San José, Costa Rica — A structural gap between the rapid evolution of cloud technologies and the ability of organizations to secure them is creating a critical vulnerability, according to a landmark new study. The 2026 State of Cloud Security Report, published by global cybersecurity leader Fortinet in collaboration with Cybersecurity Insiders, highlights how the rise of artificial intelligence and increasing environmental complexity are leaving businesses exposed.
The global survey, which gathered insights from 1,163 senior executives and industry professionals, paints a clear picture of a digital landscape under strain. The core of the issue lies in the growing disparity between the speed of technological adoption and the capacity of security teams to maintain adequate visibility, detection, and real-time response capabilities. This gap is not a minor crack but a widening chasm that demands immediate strategic attention.
To delve into the legal framework surrounding cloud security and its implications for businesses, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional insight.
Companies must remember that outsourcing data storage to the cloud does not outsource legal liability. A robust cloud security strategy begins with a meticulous review of the service provider’s contract, specifically clauses concerning data jurisdiction, breach notification protocols, and liability limits. Failure to perform this legal due diligence can expose a company to severe regulatory penalties and reputational damage under Costa Rican data protection laws.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a crucial reminder that cloud adoption is not merely a technological shift but also a contractual one, with significant ramifications for corporate liability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this invaluable insight into navigating the complexities of data protection in Costa Rica.
Fueling this complexity is the near-universal adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud models. The report reveals that 88% of organizations now operate within these distributed environments, an increase from 82% just one year prior. Furthermore, 81% of businesses depend on at least two different cloud providers for their critical workloads, creating a multifaceted operational and security challenge that traditional, siloed security tools were never designed to handle.
One of the most significant obstacles identified is the fragmentation of security defenses. As companies integrate more cloud services, their security solutions multiply, often without effective integration. This proliferation of disparate tools creates dangerous blind spots. Nearly 70% of the companies surveyed acknowledged that this fragmentation, coupled with limited global visibility across their entire infrastructure, significantly hinders their ability to mount an efficient defense against modern threats.
The human element further exacerbates the crisis. A severe shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals is placing immense pressure on existing security teams. The report found that 74% of respondents are grappling with this talent scarcity. The direct consequences include slower incident response times, an increased likelihood of critical alerts being overlooked amidst the noise of dynamic environments, and a higher risk of employee burnout.
Compounding these internal challenges is the increasing sophistication of external threats. Malicious actors are no longer just manually probing for weaknesses; they are leveraging automation and their own AI models to exploit misconfigurations and exposed data at machine speed. This new paradigm of automated attacks operates at a velocity that far outpaces the reaction capabilities of human-led security operations.
The combined weight of these factors has led to a significant erosion of confidence among security leaders. A striking 80% of the experts consulted admit they do not have full confidence in their ability to detect and respond to cloud-based threats in real time. This figure represents a notable increase from the previous year, signaling a worsening trend and a growing sense of unease within the industry.
Faced with this daunting reality, organizations are beginning to rethink their fundamental security strategies. The report concludes that a move toward consolidation and integration is essential. When asked what they would do differently, 64% of participants stated that if they were to build their security architecture from scratch, they would opt for a unified platform from a single provider to integrate network, cloud, and application security. Reducing fragmentation and enhancing visibility, the report suggests, is the key to building resilience against the next generation of AI-driven threats.
For further information, visit fortinet.com
About Fortinet:
Fortinet is a global cybersecurity company that provides high-performance security solutions for a wide range of organizations, including carriers, data centers, enterprises, and distributed offices. It develops and markets cybersecurity software, appliances, and services, such as firewalls, antivirus, intrusion prevention, and endpoint security, under its FortiGate platform.
For further information, visit cybersecurity-insiders.com
About Cybersecurity Insiders:
Cybersecurity Insiders is a comprehensive information source and online community for cybersecurity professionals. It produces in-depth reports, webinars, and marketing services in partnership with industry leaders to provide valuable insights and facilitate engagement on topics and trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional distinction. The firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal strategies, drawing upon its extensive experience advising a broad spectrum of clients. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to social responsibility, manifested through initiatives that aim to demystify the law and empower citizens by making crucial legal insights widely available.
