Hybrid and multi-cloud environments are more prevalent as they support optimizing the IT infrastructure of organizations and have become the new normal of computing
As organizations continue to leverage both public and private clouds, they are able to eliminate the unavailability of cloud resources due to single-point failure. Hybrid and multi-cloud environments are more prevalent as they support optimizing the IT infrastructure of organizations and have become the new normal of computing. Furthermore, by leveraging various public cloud services from different providers, organizations are able to achieve best-of-breed results while avoiding vendor lock-in and achieving flexibility, scalability, and cost reduction. Although hybrid and multi-cloud environments offer many benefits, they also present unique challenges, especially with data security and this has to be addressed at the earliest to establish frictionless business operations.
Continuous monitoring of the hybrid multi-cloud environment is required for the timely detection of security threats before addressing them
Rahul S Kurkure, Founder and Director, Cloud.in
In the next few lines, we shall explore the data security challenges present in managing hybrid and multi-cloud environments and how to overcome them to ensure businesses achieve optimally from their deployments.
Data Security Challenges
Hybrid and Multiple Cloud approach comes with several data sources and formats across various locations that have different regulations. These lead to data privacy and security challenges. Additionally, due to complex interconnected networks, and the presence of siloed data, there is a lack of visibility too that leads to increased vulnerability. The siloed data also acts as an obstacle to innovation with the hybrid multi-cloud approach where users are unable to extract meaningful business insights from it. Migrating data across different cloud platforms can become very complex and patch management can be a challenge as well.
In the absence of cybersecurity training and shadow IT usage, data leakage, and several cybersecurity vulnerabilities rise. In the presence of security issues, critical services such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, and Content Delivery get impacted leading to downtime and preventing the organization to stay ahead of the curve.
With the implementation of robust security measures, businesses can safeguard their data assets and ensure a strong security posture across their hybrid multi-cloud environments.
Gaining visibility and control
Continuous monitoring of the hybrid multi-cloud environment is required for the timely detection of security threats before addressing them. Here the challenge lies in having complete visibility of resources and configurations across various clouds in addition to taking control. This is because data is spread across different networks making it difficult for cybersecurity teams to continuously monitor and assess security risks due to lack of visibility. An effective single pane of glass view provides a big picture for the security team as it presents data from multiple sources in a unified display. This approach improves network visibility and provides better awareness of the traffic behavior on the networks. Network visibility ensures the efficiency, performance, and security of the networks.
Establishing data access and control
Multiple clouds will give rise to various identity providers, different authentication and authorization processes, and numerous access policies leading to a rise in security risks. Data can be at risk if permissions are not deployed accurately with the elimination of additional privileges. It is important to have a centralized Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solution in place, where users’ access can be controlled by implementing a single point of control authentication across the hybrid and multi-cloud environments. With this, only authorized users will have access to data thereby reducing security risks. IAM solutions can integrate different cloud identities as well as access controls such as Multi-Factor Authentication, and Role-based Access Control among others significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Ensuring data compliance
Managing workloads across multiple clouds gives rise to multiple compliance and standards requirements. This leads to issues with compliance management. Furthermore, compliance requirements keep changing constantly making it challenging for businesses in their implementation. It is crucial to implement monitoring and continuous auditing processes that help in identifying non-compliance issues, provide necessary remediation and adhere to all regulatory requirements. Compliance policies have to be put in place. The data storage plan takes priority for security and compliance. Cloud data security and compliance practices have to be synchronized as well. In case of security incidents or unforeseen natural disasters, these compliance policies with ensure compliance requirements.
Implementing Zero-trust Security Model
In this Zero Trust Security Model users or devices are not to be trusted leading to strict access controls and authentication and very suitable for hybrid multi-cloud environments. Zero Trust Network Architecture can be customized by creating a Zero Trust Policy. Risks including insider threats, DDoS attacks, network outages, hardware components, and software configurations are to be considered while implementing a Zero Trust model. This scalable model is among the most effective strategies suitable for organizations of all sizes and can effortlessly work on hybrid multi-cloud environments. Moreover, the Zero Trust approach not only enhances security but improves compliance and reduces the attack surface by limiting critical asset exposure.
Data Security is a key priority for hybrid multi-cloud deployments to succeed. By leveraging the above strategies organizations can protect their data assets and ensure data security in their hybrid multi-cloud environments.
