A: Cloud security is a combination of technologies, policies, processes, and user education designed to protect data, applications, and systems operating in a cloud environment. Just as you wouldn’t leave your wallet or purse unattended in a busy public space, you should not leave your digital assets unattended. Effective cloud security involves choosing the right tools, understanding the risks, and having a strategy in place to manage those risks. It is an essential part of any modern IT setup.
Q: Why should an organisation prioritise cloud security?
A: Cloud services offer significant advantages in agility, scalability, and cost efficiency. However, they also introduce new risks that differ from traditional on-premises environments. Without proper safeguards, organisations face threats such as data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational harm. A strong cloud security posture protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and ensures business continuity. Security is not just a technical necessity but a critical component of strategic risk management.
Q: What are the main threats in the cloud?
A: The main threats include unauthorised access, data loss, and misconfigured cloud services. These often result from weak access controls, overly broad permissions, or a failure to monitor and secure assets. Insider threats, whether due to negligence or malicious intent, remain a significant concern. Organisations must also watch for insecure APIs, vulnerabilities in third-party services, and account hijacking. Importantly, moving to the cloud does not eliminate responsibility. Organisations retain a significant role in securing their environment.
Q: What is the Shared Responsibility Model?
A: The Shared Responsibility Model defines which aspects of cloud security are managed by the cloud provider and which remain the customer’s responsibility. Generally, the provider secures the physical infrastructure, including data centres, networks, and hardware. The customer is responsible for securing their own data, applications, identities, and access configurations. This division varies depending on the cloud service model in use:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Customers manage operating systems, storage, and applications.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Providers manage more of the stack, but customers still manage data and user access.
Software as a Service (SaaS): The provider manages most aspects, but customers are still responsible for user access and data policies.
Understanding where your responsibilities begin and end is essential. A clear grasp of this model helps avoid assumptions that can lead to gaps in protection.
A: Zero Trust is a security model based on the principle of never trust, always verify. It assumes that threats can come from inside or outside the network, so no user or device is automatically trusted. Every access request is authenticated, authorised, and continuously monitored. Every access request is authenticated, authorised, and continuously monitored based on identity, device health, location, and behaviour. The model enforces least privilege access, meaning individuals and systems are only given access to the resources they absolutely need. Zero Trust is not a single product but a set of principles that work together, often including network segmentation, conditional access, and very granular, specific permissions.
Q: What practical steps can be taken to secure a cloud setup?
A: A layered approach is recommended, combining technical controls, governance, and human awareness. Key steps include:
Encryption: Data should be encrypted both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorised access.
Access control: Use role-based access controls and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential misuse.
Patch management: Keep systems and applications up to date to minimise exposure to known vulnerabilities.
Monitoring and auditing: Continuously monitor cloud activity and conduct regular audits to detect anomalies and ensure compliance.
Employee training: Human error is still a leading cause of incidents. Staff should be trained to recognise phishing, use secure practices, and understand their responsibilities.
Cloud-native tools: Make use of tools provided by cloud vendors, such as Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), to automate compliance checks and detect misconfigurations.
Q: What about compliance and governance in the cloud?
A: Many industries are subject to regulatory frameworks that impact how cloud data must be handled. Organisations may need to comply with standards such as GDPR, ISO/IEC 27017, or sector-specific requirements like PCI-DSS. Cloud governance should include policies on data classification, lifecycle management, and vendor risk oversight. Using cloud environments does not reduce compliance obligations. It often makes them more complex.
Q: What is the cost-benefit of investing in cloud security?
A: Security spending may seem high initially, but it is significantly lower than the cost of responding to a serious breach. A data breach can lead to financial losses, legal penalties, operational downtime, and lasting reputational harm. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report, the global average cost of a breach was over $4.88 million. By comparison, proactive investment in security controls, staff training, and monitoring systems delivers resilience, preserves customer trust, and supports long-term business performance.
Q: How can an organisation balance agility with the need for robust security?
A: Security and agility are not mutually exclusive. In fact, effective security frameworks should enable innovation by creating a safe foundation. Use flexible controls that adapt as the business evolves. Automation helps reduce manual work and speeds up response times. For example, access rules can be set in advance, security checks can be built into new projects from the start, and systems can automatically flag when something breaks the rules. Most importantly, maintain regular collaboration between IT, security, compliance, and business teams. This ensures that controls are practical, proportionate, and aligned with both risk appetite and delivery speed.
Q: What's the bigger picture?
A: Security is not a one-off effort or a fixed checklist. Look at it as an ongoing, evolving discipline. Whether your organisation is just beginning its cloud journey or fine-tuning a mature setup, having a clear plan and a culture of shared responsibility makes all the difference. Periodic review, continuous learning, and strategic investment will help you stay ahead of threats and make the most of what the cloud can offer.
Choosing the right Cloud partner
At BMIT, we know that no two businesses are alike, and neither are their cloud journeys. That’s why our enterprise-grade cloud solutions are designed to adapt to your needs. Whether you’re building a private cloud, moving to a public platform, or managing a hybrid or multi-cloud environment, we provide the expertise and support to help you make the most of your technology investments. We work with growing businesses to unlock the full value of the cloud by driving innovation, enhancing agility, and delivering sustainable outcomes. Talk to our experts today.
BMIT – Enterprise cloud expertise, tailored for your growth.
Cybersecurity challenges are a reality everywhere. They are immediate, and they are affecting organisations of every size and type. Whether you are running a public authority, managing a growing business, or supporting national infrastructure, the threat landscape is shifting. Attacks are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and more disruptive.
This is a shared reality. Whether you are working in a major city or a smaller market, the nature of the threat is fundamentally the same. So is the responsibility to respond to it.
The encouraging news is that awareness is growing. More organisations are taking cybersecurity seriously, not simply to meet compliance obligations, but because the business risks are becoming more obvious. There is greater collaboration, increased investment, and more engagement at leadership level. That is real progress.
Initiatives like the Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (CVDP) are helping to build trust too, by encouraging responsible information sharing. MITA’s Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP), through which public and private stakeholders can exchange indicators of compromise and threat data, are partly driven by compliance, but also reflect a growing awareness of what good practice looks like today.
Weak monitoring and delayed response
This is a clear sign of progress, but progress on its own does not guarantee preparedness.
The reality is that many of the attacks we see today - phishing, business email compromise, ransomware, remote access abuse, supply chain - can be prevented. They often succeed because of gaps in awareness, weak monitoring, or delayed responses.
The shift to remote and hybrid work has created new vulnerabilities. In some cases, businesses lack visibility over who is doing the work or even whether those individuals are who they claim to be. This is not hypothetical. There are documented cases of cybercriminals infiltrating organisations through fake remote job schemes.
Even when internal systems are secure, the supply chain often is not. Third-party vendors and service providers can unintentionally introduce serious risks. Breaches where a third-party was involved doubled to 30% according to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report.
The threat of Shadow IT
Shadow IT, where employees use unauthorised applications or cloud services, only increases the attack surface and makes it harder to manage. According to Gartner, 41% of employees have acquired, modified or created technology that IT is not aware of. This is expected to increase to 75% by 2027!
And having the right tools is not enough. Misconfigured systems, outdated policies, or an overreliance on automation can create a false sense of security. When new vulnerabilities or attack techniques appear, the response time is still too slow. That gap between threat discovery and defence is often when the real damage is done.
The key message here is simple. Cybersecurity is not a task to complete and move on from. It is a continuous process that demands discipline and attention. Regular risk assessments, timely updates, effective monitoring, and a company-wide culture of vigilance must all be part of standard operations.
The consequences of a breach are not only technical. There can be reputational damage, loss of productivity, and serious financial costs. That is why cybersecurity must be seen as a strategic business issue, not just an IT concern.
Signs of progress are welcome, but true resilience is not built once. It must be maintained through ongoing effort, practical thinking, and the ability to respond quickly when it matters most. In today’s environment, no organisation is too small, too peripheral, or too prepared to be a target.
Many businesses acknowledge the importance of security but do not have the resources or the skillset in-house to create a security strategy. BMIT cyber resilience experts can help develop a strategy that protects your business today and in future. Talk to us.
Hybrid IT is rapidly becoming the norm for organisations striving to find the right balance between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services. However, adopting the cloud is not a decision to be made lightly. It requires a well-defined strategy that is rooted in technical necessities while aligning with the company's broader goals. Without this clarity, complexity is inevitable.
Before diving in, consider these crucial questions:
What are we really trying to solve?
Is scalability an issue? Are we bogged down by maintenance tasks instead of focusing on innovation? Are there bottlenecks hindering our progress? Gaining a clear understanding of the core challenges will help determine whether Hybrid IT is the right approach and, more importantly, how to implement it effectively.
What does success look like?
Is the goal to reduce costs, speed up service delivery, or improve resilience? While these are all valid objectives, it's essential to pinpoint what matters most to your organisation. Defining success from the outset keeps the project focused and ensures that outcomes can be accurately measured.
What data needs to stay on-premises?
Not all data is created equal. Some may need to stay on-site due to regulatory or security requirements, while other workloads may be better suited to the cloud. Treat your data as your most valuable asset and prioritise its management accordingly.
Can we manage a mixed environment?
Hybrid IT involves managing on-premises systems alongside multiple cloud platforms, potentially alongside legacy systems as well. Do you have the internal capabilities to handle this complexity, or will you need to bring in external expertise?
Have we factored in the full cost?
Look beyond the initial investment and think long-term. What will ongoing operational expenses: cloud consumption, support, maintenance, and training, look like? Understanding your total cost of ownership will help you avoid unwelcome surprises down the road.
Will it work alongside what we already have?
Chances are, your organisation is not starting from scratch. Existing systems, processes, and platforms will still be in place. How will the new hybrid model fit into this? Poor integration leads to inefficiencies and silos, which undermine the very benefits Hybrid IT is meant to offer.
How will we keep it secure?
Security becomes more complex when data and services are spread across environments. Strong access controls, encryption, monitoring, and clear policies need to work across the entire infrastructure and should be defined during the planning process.
Are we locking ourselves in?
While opting for a single provider may seem straightforward at first, it can restrict flexibility over time. To avoid being tied to a single vendor, work with an IT partner capable of delivering multiple solutions across different platforms. This ensures your business can evolve with its changing needs.
By addressing these questions upfront, you’ll lay the groundwork for a successful Hybrid IT strategy that drives efficiency, flexibility, and long-term value.
Thinking about your next steps? Let’s have a conversation. Get in touch!
There are many reasons why a business may opt to migrate to the Cloud – agility, efficiency, security. What is also true is that a one-size-fits-all approach does not necessarily suit every organisation's unique needs.
Relying on one approach – whether it’s on-premises, public cloud, or private cloud – can limit your ability to scale, innovate, and stay compliant.
The smart way to go about this is a flexible strategy that blends the best of all environments: Hybrid IT.
But what does it mean for your business?
Very often you come across businesses that allow a single technology or environment dictate their IT strategy. They are attracted by the latest tech but end up with a solution that's not tailored to their specific needs. It looks great, but it's neither practical nor cost-effective.
Hybrid IT is all about your IT, your way. It's about finding the right mix of technologies and services to support your business goals.
Adopting the right strategy from the outset
1. Know Your Business
Before you even start thinking about technology, understand your business needs. What are your biggest challenges? What are your growth plans? What are your security requirements? The clearer you are about your business goals, the better equipped you'll be to choose the right IT solutions.
2. It’s OK to Mix and Match
Hybrid IT is all about flexibility. You're not locked into a single vendor or technology. You can pick and choose the best solutions for each part of your business, whether it's cloud (private or public), on-premises, or a combination of both. Think of it as a buffet – you get to choose what you want.
3. Focus on Integration
A successful Hybrid IT strategy is one where all your different systems work together seamlessly. Don't just focus on individual technologies; think about how they'll integrate with each other. You want a well-oiled machine, not a collection of isolated parts.
4. Keep Control of Your Data
Data is the lifeblood of your business. Make sure you have a clear understanding of where your data is stored and how it's protected. Don't blindly trust a platform with your sensitive information. Keep control of your data, and make sure it's secure.
5. Avoid Vendor Lock-In
Choose solutions that are open and interoperable, so you can avoid being stuck with a vendor that no longer meets your needs. You want to be able to switch vendors, if necessary, without having to rip and replace your entire infrastructure. Success depends a lot on your choice of cloud service provider and their breadth of offering.
6. Think Long-term
Hybrid IT is not a one-time project; it's an ongoing journey. Think about how your needs might change in the future, and choose solutions that are scalable and adaptable. You want a solution that can grow with your business.
Your IT Strategy
Hybrid IT is about making IT decisions that work for your business, not the other way around. Hybrid IT takes you one step closer to find the optimal solution. Your IT. Your Way.
BMIT has been advising on, deploying and managing hybrid environments for over a decade. If you’re planning on changing or improving how your enterprise IT environment operates, talk to us.
When it comes to enterprise IT, businesses have a range of choices. They can build everything on-premises, operate in a private cloud, migrate to a public cloud, or adopt a multi-cloud strategy. Each option has its own advantages and trade-offs. But what happens when a business decides to mix and match? Would a hybrid approach be the best fit? What exactly is Hybrid IT, and how can organisations benefit from it? More importantly, how do you make it work seamlessly?
These were the questions explored at The Hybrid IT Essentials, a half-day event organised by BMIT Technologies on 25 March 2025. Featuring industry experts from HPE, Microsoft, BMIT, GO Group, and Betsson, the event delved into the realities of multi-cloud adoption, IT resilience, and the practicalities of managing a hybrid environment without unnecessary complexity.
A Smarter Approach
Denis Stanarevic, Solution Portfolio Lead for Data Services Platforms at HPE, highlighted how IT management is evolving rapidly. With data distributed across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments, businesses are struggling to keep pace with rising volumes, security risks, and compliance pressures.
Hybrid IT, he explained, offers a smarter way forward - blending different environments for a more flexible and efficient setup. AI-driven automation and pay-as-you-go models are easing the burden of IT management, allowing teams to focus on innovation instead of maintenance. By partnering with the right service providers, such as BMIT, businesses can strike an optimal balance between cost, performance, and resilience - ensuring they stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.
The Best of Many Worlds
Sean Cohen, Chief Officer for Customer Delivery & Support Services at BMIT, explored how more businesses are adopting multi-cloud strategies to balance flexibility, security, and performance.
A key takeaway from his talk was the importance of a well-defined multi-cloud strategy: one that enhances resource allocation, strengthens security, and meets compliance requirements. However, he acknowledged that managing multiple environments remains a challenge, requiring the right tools and clear strategic planning. As organisations navigate this complexity, investing in robust management solutions and security will be critical.
Simplifying Hybrid IT Management
Jonathan Vella, Senior Cloud Solution Architect for Azure Core at Microsoft, offered a deep dive into Microsoft’s Adaptive Cloud approach. He showed how Azure Arc brings together hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge environments under a unified framework.
Jonathan also explored AI-enhanced management, explaining how Copilot for Azure can streamline operations, security, and troubleshooting. Addressing modern IT challenges - such as siloed processes and technical debt - he demonstrated how organisations can improve governance, compliance, and scalability using Azure’s tools.
His key message? Organisations need a flexible, intelligent cloud strategy to drive innovation while maintaining security, efficiency, and resilience in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Building Resilience into Every Layer of IT
Gordon Bezzina, Chief Technology Officer at BMIT, delivered the final presentation, Resiliency by Design. He emphasised the need to build resilience from the ground up across hybrid IT environments.
Gordon explained what resilience truly means, why it’s more critical than ever, and how businesses can take a proactive approach. Covering everything from hybrid IT architectures to network design, he shared practical strategies for ensuring systems remain operational no matter the circumstances.
A Candid Discussion on Hybrid IT
The event wrapped up with a fireside chat featuring Kenneth Attard, AWS Hero and Solutions Architect at Betsson, and Kelvin Camilleri, Chief Digital Officer at GO Group. Moderated by Jack Mizzi, Chief Marketing Officer at BMIT, the discussion provided a first-hand look at the challenges of modern IT infrastructure.
Kenneth and Kelvin discussed the ongoing balancing act between cloud and on-premises systems, weighing agility, compliance, and performance. Cybersecurity was a key focus, with both speakers sharing how they secure their environments while maintaining resilience.
They also explored the role of AI and automation, reflecting on its growing impact on business and its potential as a game-changer in the years ahead. The session offered an insightful and candid look at how two fast-moving industries are adapting to an ever-evolving IT landscape.
What’s Next for Hybrid IT?
Hybrid IT is no longer a future concept - it’s today’s reality. As businesses continue to refine their strategies, the key will be to simplify management, strengthen security, and build resilience into every layer of IT.
Is your organisation facing any challenges in adopting a Hybrid IT strategy? Contact BMIT today and see how Hybrid IT needs not be a complex, unattainable goal for your business.
Malta’s leading digital infrastructure, cloud, cyber resilience and managed IT services provider, BMIT Technologies plc (MSE: BMIT), today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in 56Bit Limited, a managed services provider specialising in Amazon Web Services (AWS) solutions. Once complete, this acquisition significantly enhances BMIT’s AWS capabilities and further expands its portfolio in cloud, cyber resilience, and managed IT services.
56Bit will continue operating independently, ensuring that its established operational agility and deep technical expertise in AWS solutions remain dedicated to delivering bespoke cloud services, while simultaneously leveraging the strategic support and resources of the BMIT Group.
56Bit is an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner specialising in cloud solutions, DevOps, and managed services. They offer tailored solutions for optimising AWS infrastructure, enhancing security, and ensuring efficient cloud operations. Their expertise includes cloud consulting, architecture, migration, and cost optimisation, providing businesses with the necessary tools to scale and secure digital environments effectively.
The acquisition marks a strategic move aimed at enhancing BMIT’s cloud service capabilities and strengthening its position as the leading provider of hybrid IT and cloud services in Malta. Through this acquisition, BMIT gains deep AWS expertise which complements its existing cloud services and expands its ability to provide vendor-agnostic and tailored cloud solutions.
BMIT will also benefit from access to specialised skills, certifications, and customer relationships, enabling the BMIT Group to offer tailored, high-quality AWS solutions. Additionally, it accelerates the Group’s ability to deliver AWS-focused cloud migration, optimisation, and managed services, while enhancing BMIT’s competitiveness in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
“The provision of cloud services is at the heart of our business and over the past few years we have seen an ever-growing demand for these services. This investment not only boosts our Cloud expertise, particularly on AWS solutions, but also reinforces our ability to be truly vendor-agnostic, delivering solutions are that are as unique as our clients,” Ing. Christian Sammut, CEO of BMIT, said.
“Our vision has always been to set the benchmark in hybrid IT and cloud services and stand out as a forward-thinking provider always ready to adapt and innovate. This investment helps us achieve that goal,” Ing. Sammut added.
“56Bit has always been dedicated to delivering the most cost-effective, stable, resilient and future-proof cloud infrastructure solutions possible to our clients. Thanks to this investment we can now broaden our reach and contribute to one of the most comprehensive cloud service offerings in Malta and beyond. Together with BMIT, we are well positioned to help clients navigate their transformation journeys with flexibility and confidence,” Patrick Camilleri, CEO of 56Bit said.
BMIT Technologies today announced its financial results for the year ending 31 December 2024, highlighting steady growth and a solid financial performance driven by a strong strategic vision and diversification through the successful integration of new business lines.
The Company reported a substantial year-on-year revenue growth of 17.2%, with revenue increasing from €28.7 million in 2023 to €33.6 million in 2024. EBITDA also saw a notable improvement, rising by 26.7% to reach €12.7 million. These figures mark the first consolidated results for two key segments: BMIT’s core business, which includes data centre, cloud, cyber resilience, and managed services, and its new digital infrastructure segment, which includes mobile network towers operations.
Christian Sammut, CEO of BMIT Technologies, described 2024 as “a defining year for BMIT”, not only in achieving a strong revenue performance but also in “strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the fields of IT, digital infrastructure, cloud and managed services, cyber resilience and security”.
“Despite a challenging environment, we demonstrated agility, adaptability, and a clear strategic vision, ensuring we remain a trusted partner to our clients. Our success is built on a disciplined financial strategy, continuous investment in innovation, infrastructure, and talent, and most importantly, our unwavering focus on customer needs. We remain committed to enhancing our portfolio, deepening our customer relationships, and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders,” Ing. Sammut said.
Commenting on the results, Nikhil Patil, Chairman of the Board said: “2024 has been a very positive year for BMIT Technologies, reflecting not only a strong financial performance but also the collective commitment to its strategy and expansion of its service portfolio. BMIT has diversified its revenue streams, investing in digital infrastructure, and enhancing its core business.”
“We have laid the groundwork for sustained growth by successfully launching a digital infrastructure segment, starting from the acquisition of GO’s passive mobile infrastructure. This journey of transformation is not only about achieving short-term gains, but building a resilient, scalable, and future-ready business. As we continue to anticipate and respond to market demands, we are confident in our ability to deliver long-term value to our shareholders and customers alike,” added Mr Patil.
Ing. Sammut stated that BMIT remains focused on further strengthening its core business while expanding its digital infrastructure capabilities. It will continue to invest in innovative technologies, building resilience, and seizing new opportunities to remain at the forefront of Malta’s digital landscape. Profit before tax amounted to €7.2 million compared to €7.7 million in 2023. Profit after tax amounted to €4.2 million, compared to €4.7 million in the previous year, resulting in earnings per share of €0.020.
