Companies using multicloud implementations must prioritize their security to avoid data loss or misuse that can lead to serious financial and reputational damage.
A multi-cloud computing approach involves using multiple cloud computing platforms or providers to run different business operations. For example, a company might use one platform to host productivity tools and another to create an environment for product development. Companies using this method enjoy paying only for the resources they use, rather than spending too much on local infrastructure that they may never fully utilize.
The multicloud approach also reduces the hassle of managing an on-premises infrastructure, not to mention the additional staff and resources required to maintain it. Additionally, it offers greater resiliency based on redundant workloads and enhanced services based on specialization of different platforms for specific uses. This approach also has some drawbacks, such as regulatory issues and the potential for disruption if cloud service providers face weather events, hackers, or other unpredictable situations.
Perhaps one of the most concerning are the security dangers that come with using multiple cloud platforms. Specifically, data may be at risk as it travels between the company and the vendor. Additionally, operators must consider several different security configurations. In the sections below, we explain steps you can take to make your multicloud deployments more secure.
Multicloud security risks
Before we delve into the steps to increase multicloud security, let's look at the specific challenges businesses face. Each cloud provider has its own set of security settings and tools, which means operators can easily overlook some of the requirements when performing a security analysis or make mistakes when tuning settings.
Additionally, some security offerings from cloud providers may not be robust enough to meet regulatory or company guidelines. Additionally, IT professionals face multiple cloud environments where data encryption and backups occur separately. All of these issues can lead to problems that many companies use the cloud to try to solve, including the potential for internal or external breaches.
Reexamine cloud security procedures
If you add a multicloud strategy to existing hybrid or cloud architectures, you may run the risk of creating a fragmented security strategy that doesn't take into account how all the components work together. When multicloud elements are introduced, consider setting aside existing security practices and re-examining the situation as a whole, with a firm understanding of all cloud environments used. You should use independent cloud-native solutions that allow you to centralize security configuration.
Another aspect of this process is consolidating cloud security efforts into as few tools as possible. Software as a Service (SaaS) products can help with this process. A recent Forbes Technology Advice post advises, “Define and enforce a unified security policy configuration that connects all cloud providers your company uses.”
Automate security
Cloud computing allows for process automation and this can also include security operations. For example, new virtualized machines and containers must be subject to security checks. The Forbes Technology Council post states: “Automation is crucial to a successful multi-cloud security plan. By eliminating human error from deployment and management, you can significantly reduce your company’s risk.”
Organizations must create automated security management processes such as configuration, patching, and audits. The following video discusses cloud security tools.
Use best security practices
After re-examining your security posture, taking into account a multicloud deployment, and automating as many processes as possible, use the following best practices to ensure the highest level of security.
- Consider compliance. In addition to providing a robust platform for running some business operations, cloud environments can help companies comply with industry-relevant standards and regulations.
- Exercise intelligent policy management. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider fênixNAP suggests, “Enterprises should develop a set of security policies to apply across all cloud environments and simplify security operations.”
- Employ data encryption. A strong multicloud security strategy must include encryption of data at rest and in transit.
- Run regular backups. Backups are just as important in multicloud environments as anywhere else. Use a separate backup for each cloud provider.
- Apply the principle of least privilege. It's not fun to think about, but even your own employees can commit a data breach. Therefore, it is important that each employee only has access to the environments necessary to perform their duties.
- Use tenant isolation. Using this method, operators ensure that each application and each environment runs in separate tenants.
- Deploy multi-cloud monitoring. Each cloud environment will generate its own events, logs, notifications and alerts. Set up a way to consolidate them in a single location.
Build safely
The best way to ensure security is to integrate it when creating a multicloud environment. Cloud security provider Aqua Security Software recommends considering the following areas when setting up new platforms.
- Authentication and authorization. Find a framework that can support the different authentication models used by various cloud providers, but allows you to centrally define accounts, roles, and policies.
- Updates and patches. Automate software updates and patches, ensuring updates are sensitive to the workload, the infrastructure it is currently running on, and its dependencies.
- Component hardening. Hardening applications and infrastructure components involves closing unsecured ports, removing unnecessary software, securing APIs and web interfaces, and following the principle of least privilege.
- Monitoring and visibility. In a multicloud environment, you must have a tool that supports multiple clouds and allows visibility of the entire environment.
- Multi-cloud storage. Ensure sensitive data is assigned to the most secure storage resources, distribute data geographically according to compliance obligations, and implement data loss prevention solutions that can identify data loss or exfiltration across multiple clouds.
Prioritize the cloud
Companies using multicloud deployments must prioritize their security to prevent data loss or misuse, which can lead to serious financial and reputational damage, as well as major reductions in efficiency, productivity and customer loyalty. Companies that are behind in these efforts should start wherever they are. It's never too late to take steps to avoid these potentially disruptive challenges.
