How to Secure the Hybrid Cloud?

Instead of using only one cloud provider, many organizations are adopting a “hybrid” cloud approach, which involves using multiple computing environments, including at least one public cloud. A hybrid cloud setup combines public and private clouds, which can include on-premises infrastructure or third-party data centers.

Although the hybrid cloud has numerous advantages, it poses additional security challenges. Understanding how to safeguard hybrid cloud environments is critical to cloud security, and this article will provide a framework for securing the hybrid cloud.

What is Hybrid Cloud?

A hybrid cloud is a way of using different types of cloud computing environments together, usually combining a public cloud and a private cloud or local infrastructure. This allows organizations to take advantage of the benefits of both public and private clouds by sharing data and applications between them.

Benefits of Hybrid Cloud

Cloud computing has evolved from cutting-edge technology to standard practice for businesses across all sizes and industries. According to the 2022 Flexera State of the Cloud survey, all responding companies used at least one public or private cloud, with 80% of companies having a hybrid cloud environment. Hybrid cloud benefits include:

• Flexibility: Hybrid cloud allows businesses to flexibly allocate workloads and applications between public and private cloud environments depending on their needs, helping them achieve agility and efficiency.
• Scalability: By using the hybrid cloud, businesses have the capability to scale their computing resources up or down as required without having to worry about infrastructure constraints.
• Cost-effectiveness: Hybrid cloud allows businesses to save money by leveraging the cost-effectiveness of public cloud resources for non-sensitive data and workloads while still maintaining control over sensitive data and applications on private cloud or on-premises infrastructure.
• Improved security: Hybrid cloud enables businesses to implement stronger security measures and control over sensitive data, as they can keep it within their private cloud or on-premises infrastructure.
• Increased innovation: By using the newest technology and services provided by public cloud vendors while keeping sensitive data under their control, businesses can use hybrid cloud to innovate and create new products and services more rapidly and effectively.

The Security Risk of Hybrid Cloud

While the hybrid cloud offers many benefits, it also presents certain security risks that businesses need to be aware of. These risks include:

• Data breaches: When sensitive data is shared between public and private cloud environments, it increases the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
• Insider threats: In a hybrid cloud setup, insider threats can pose a significant security risk. This is because employees with access to both public and private cloud environments may misuse their privileges and compromise the entire system’s security.
• Compliance issues: When sensitive data is stored and processed across multiple cloud environments, ensuring compliance with industry and government regulations can take time and effort.
• Interoperability challenges: Cloud environments may have different security protocols and standards, making it difficult to assure consistent security across the hybrid cloud environment.
• Network vulnerabilities: Communication between public and private cloud environments can create vulnerabilities in the network, making it easier for cybercriminals to access sensitive data and applications.

How to Secure Hybrid Cloud?

Securing a hybrid cloud environment requires a comprehensive and layered approach with multiple security measures. Some key steps businesses can take to secure their hybrid cloud environment include:

• Identify and classify data: Determine which data is sensitive and requires additional security measures to protect it. Classify the data based on its level of sensitivity and ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect it.
• Use strong authentication and access controls: It is important to use strong authentication protocols like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and access controls like Role-based Access Control (RBAC) to make sure only authorized users can access sensitive data and applications.
• Encrypt data: It is crucial to encrypt sensitive data when it is in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access. Strong encryption algorithms, like the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), should be used, and encryption keys should be securely stored.
• Implement network security: Use firewalls, VPNs, and other security measures to ensure secure communication between public and private cloud environments. Ensure that all communication between the two environments is encrypted and authenticated.
• Monitor and log activities: Monitor and log all activities within the hybrid cloud environment to detect and respond to security incidents. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools can be used to monitor logs to keep track of activities in all cloud environments and on-premises infrastructure.
• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments: Identify vulnerabilities within the hybrid cloud environment and address them promptly. It is important to conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing on the security architecture to find potential security vulnerabilities and fix them in advance.
• Ensure compliance with regulations: Ensure that the hybrid cloud environment complies with industry and government regulations. Establish security policies and procedures that are aligned with regulatory requirements, and ensure that all cloud providers involved in the hybrid cloud environment comply with these regulations.
• Develop and test disaster recovery and business continuity plans: Develop and test disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure the hybrid cloud environment can recover from potential disasters or disruptions. Test the procedures regularly to ensure that they are practical and up-to-date.

Final Words

Although the hybrid cloud offers many benefits, it also presents security challenges that must be addressed. However, organizations can mitigate these risks by implementing a comprehensive hybrid cloud security strategy. By doing so, they can protect their hybrid cloud environments and reduce the likelihood of cyberattacks.

Organizations require a hybrid cloud security program that combines vendor-neutral and vendor-specific knowledge to secure hybrid cloud environments effectively. They must learn general cloud security practices, technologies, frameworks, and principles without bias toward any specific cloud provider. However, they must also possess vendor-specific, practical knowledge in order to implement what they have learned in real-life scenarios.

That is what InfosecTrain’s Certified Cloud Security Engineer (C|CSE) training course has to offer. The course offers a balanced combination of vendor-neutral and vendor-specific approaches to cloud security. It provides you with theoretical and practical skills for securing cloud environments. By obtaining a C|CSE certification, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to take on the responsibilities of cloud security professionals.

AUTHOR
Pooja Rawat ( )

“ My name is Pooja Rawat. I have done my B.tech in Instrumentation engineering. My hobbies are reading novels and gardening. I like to learn new things and challenges. Currently I am working as a Cyber security Research analyst in Infosectrain. “