Hybrid Cloud Security
As more and more organizations look to the cloud for efficient, cost-effective, and scalable network solutions, many CIOs and IT managers have determined the ideal solution is adopting a hybrid cloud model—a combination of a private cloud architecture (hosted either on-premise or remotely) and public cloud services from among the “Big Three”—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure—or other third-party providers.
Hybrid cloud operations bring significant benefits. An organization’s mission-critical or compliance-protected data can be secured within the private cloud. In contrast, everyday applications and less sensitive data can be hosted in the public cloud portion—where scalability is generally cheaper than an on-prem data center, and SLAs guarantee 24/7 reliability across the network.
But the trade-off is an added level of technical complexity, as the integrated private and public cloud sections continuously interact and exchange data. This brings a new set of unique security challenges as hybrid clouds expand and evolve.
Best Practices
Adequate hybrid cloud security revolves around several best practices:
Encryption
Sensitive data and applications must be automatically encrypted within both private and public components of a hybrid cloud—with dedicated strategies for data at rest as well as in motion between endpoints—where it is typically most vulnerable to external cyberthreats—via SSL/TLS or SSH protocols.
Access Control
Hybrid cloud security revolves around a zero-trust or “least privilege” philosophy—meaning that internal users can only access data and applications essential for their specific roles. This is accomplished through effective Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies and tools.
Managed Detection & Response
The added technical intricacy of the hybrid cloud brings additional security challenges. These range from automated firewall configuration to real-time monitoring via advanced system information and event monitoring (SIEM) solutions to alerts and rapid response to legitimate cyberthreats as they are detected.
As private and public elements of the hybrid cloud interact with existing network architecture, security can become fragmented and inconsistent—a hodgepodge of tools from various vendors. Many organizations have successfully turned to a coordinated XDR (Extended Detection and Response) from a single service provider. XDR solutions incorporate and orchestrate several cybersecurity solutions into one, including NDR/Network Detection and Response, EDR/Endpoint Detection and Response, and MDR/Managed Detection and Response. All monitored and managed 24×7 by security service provider experts.
Sensitive data and applications must be automatically encrypted within both private and public components of a hybrid cloud—with dedicated strategies for data at rest as well as in motion between endpoints—where it is typically most vulnerable to external cyberthreats—via SSL/TLS or SSH protocols.
Hybrid cloud security revolves around a zero-trust or “least privilege” philosophy—meaning that internal users can only access data and applications essential for their specific roles. This is accomplished through effective Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies and tools.
The added technical intricacy of the hybrid cloud brings additional security challenges. These range from automated firewall configuration to real-time monitoring via advanced system information and event monitoring (SIEM) solutions to alerts and rapid response to legitimate cyberthreats as they are detected.
As private and public elements of the hybrid cloud interact with existing network architecture, security can become fragmented and inconsistent—a hodgepodge of tools from various vendors. Many organizations have successfully turned to a coordinated XDR (Extended Detection and Response) from a single service provider. XDR solutions incorporate and orchestrate several cybersecurity solutions into one, including NDR/Network Detection and Response, EDR/Endpoint Detection and Response, and MDR/Managed Detection and Response. All monitored and managed 24×7 by security service provider experts.
Open Systems brings 30 years of MSP expertise to deliver continuous, comprehensive AI-powered cybersecurity across your hybrid cloud network. Speak with an Open Systems customer advocate to learn more about meeting the unique security challenges of your cloud architecture, as well as our leading-edge MDR, XDR, and SASE solutions.
