It took us quite a while to start trusting the cloud. Even after that, finding the best option between a private and public cloud took years. We have now reached a point where businesses are shifting towards a more hybrid IT infrastructure.
A hybrid environment provides a more custom blend of cloud-based and on-premises solutions. While this sounds like the best of both worlds, specific concerns are aggravated in the hybrid environment. Security is the most severe of the problems it raises.
Double the Trouble in Hybrid Environment
Despite improved security solutions and technological advancements, both on-premises and cloud-based systems have vulnerabilities and weaknesses. When they are merged in a hybrid IT environment, they bring those vulnerabilities along. The worst part is that the merger can also give rise to newer risks.
The issue mainly arises due to the expanding complexity of the Hybrid IT infrastructure. There is a need for a more comprehensive cybersecurity program that involves strategies for on-premises components and cloud-based systems.
Utilizing hybrid infrastructure has pushed organizations towards using more than one cloud provider. While most IT experts working for these organizations know the challenges created by such complex IT infrastructures, they are unaware of the proper security strategies to implement.
Hybrid IT Security Considerations
Data Compliance
Specific regulatory compliance laws must be considered. These laws vary from industry to industry. Organizations dealing with financial data, such as credit card providers, or organizations handling personal data, such as medical insurance companies, are subject to stricter data compliance laws. Such organizations need to ensure better security and meet the most stringent standards. You can discuss your needs with the cloud service provider and make sure they can comply.
Policy Management
For organizations using multiple cloud service providers, transferring policies across all the clouds is a headache. Your infrastructure should have a uniform security policy maintained across the entire infrastructure. These policies may include IPS signatures, user authentication, and firewall rules. The worst part is that there is no easy way to transfer policies across all the systems. It is a task best done manually with the help of IT experts.
Encrypt the Data to Improve Hybrid IT Security
Encryption is essentially the most effective answer to most security issues. Encryption becomes even more essential in a hybrid and multi-cloud environment. It would help if you considered protecting the data as it travels between different cloud demarcation points. The data must also be encrypted while it is being processed or manipulated.
However, encryption is needed throughout the data’s life cycle. It would help if you worked with your cybersecurity expert to determine the optimal encryption strategy, especially for the data in use.
Your IT Security Should be Scalable
No Hybrid IT or Infrastructure Security guide can be complete without discussing the matter of scalability. While scalability is one of the key reasons most organizations prefer hybrid infrastructures, the scalability aspect of infrastructure security is often overlooked.
One of the most significant risks hovering over your systems is the possibility of a substantial security loophole arising as your system grows. All of your security practices, procedures, and tools must be able to scale for growth.
The bottom line is that we need hybrid IT security solutions that are unified and scalable. The need for unification will only increase as the choice of tools and resources becomes more diverse. A custom security strategy must be created and implemented with the help of IT professionals who can analyze your current infrastructure and predict its future growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the journey to embracing cloud technology has gradually evolved from initial skepticism to a preference for hybrid IT infrastructure. At the same time, the hybrid model offers flexibility and efficiency but presents unique security challenges. Combining on-premises and cloud-based solutions introduces complexities and vulnerabilities, demanding a robust cybersecurity approach. Data compliance, policy management, and encryption are crucial in securing hybrid environments.
Moreover, scalability is paramount to accommodate future growth without compromising security. Organizations must adopt unified and scalable security solutions tailored to their specific infrastructure and growth projections to navigate these challenges effectively. By collaborating with knowledgeable IT professionals, businesses can fortify their hybrid IT security posture and confidently embrace the benefits of hybrid cloud technology.
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