When a major cloud provider outage hits the headlines, IT executives can’t help but wonder whether they should be entrusting their business operations with a single provider. More companies are embracing multi cloud environments to avoid this kind of risk and optimize workloads by matching them to the best cloud solution.
Multi cloud environments add to the complexity of all aspects of IT. Cloud security should be a major focus of any effort to migrate to a multi cloud approach, using a strategy that secures data and systems without adding more complications.
Everyone Is Unique: One of the challenges of multi cloud security is that there’s no standard solution that can cover the endless variations of environments. What is needed to secure one cloud will be different from the needs of another, and companies use different combinations of solutions to meet their needs.
At the same time, malicious actors are all too aware of the complexity of the multi cloud environment and its potential for vulnerabilities. From distributed denial of service (DDoS) to malware, hackers are able to target weak spots that emerge when companies use inconsistent security policies.
As companies work to improve performance or implement particular features offered by a cloud solution, they spread workloads across multiple clouds, often requiring multiple security solutions. This, in turn, increases the occurrence of mismanagement and misconfiguration, in addition to tasking IT with the need to troubleshoot across a fragmented infrastructure.
The Danger of a Patchwork Approach: Many multi cloud environments are developed piecemeal, with companies adding different cloud solutions as it fits their changing digital transformation goals. When securing the environment, this type of mindset should be approached with caution.
The responsibility for security and how it is managed is different for each provider, but it is risky to make assumptions about who is responsible for various aspects. You can generally assume that your company is responsible for application security, which includes not only DDoS, but also reducing risk around hacking, bots, and data exfiltration. It’s easy for companies to fall short of the security policies they need for a multi cloud environment, such as:
- Visibility and reporting around security events, both before and after the event, including analysis following the attack
- Time-to-mitigate provisions in the service level agreements with providers
- If using a security provider, receiving 24/7 support
Consider a Cloud Security Provider: As companies recognize the benefits of cloud-hosted, third-party outsourcing for managing costs and productivity, many are turning to a security as a service (SECaaS) approach to cloud security. Providers are able to address the complex security challenges of multi cloud environments, offering the same advantages as other cloud technologies: agility, flexibility, and cost savings.
A SECaaS provider removes the burden of trying to keep pace with the latest security threats, while offering predictable invoicing and reliable support.
The right SECaaS will offer the latest and most comprehensive security strategies, including edge and domain name system (DNS) defense, plus early detection through consistent monitoring of network activity.
If your company is pursuing a multi cloud strategy and you are recognizing the need for a more comprehensive cloud security strategy, contact us at Safari Solutions. We help you choose security solutions as part of a holistic approach to your IT environment, leveraging the best technology within a comprehensive plan to improve cost savings, productivity, and user experience.
