The Evolution of Enterprise Security Systems in Cloud-native Architectures: From Perimeter-Based to Automated, Granular Models

Abstract

Enterprise security is evolving rapidly, driven by the shift from traditional perimeter-based defenses to distributed, cloud-native environments. Classical castle-and-moat strategies are insufficient for modern architectures spanning microservices, containers, serverless functions, and multi-cloud deployments. Zero Trust Architecture eliminates implicit trust, enforcing continuous verification at every access point. Identity and Access Management must adopt Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) for dynamic, context-aware authorization, while machine learning enhances threat detection across complex systems. Continuous monitoring via Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) automates discovery, assessment, and remediation, ensuring resilient and adaptive security. Together, these approaches transform security from a reactive function into a strategic enabler for business agility, governance, and operational efficiency.