When it comes to cloud infrastructure and implementation, the hybrid cloud option is one that many companies are beginning to latch on to. Overall the most notable element of this realm of security is that it combines the flexibility and customization of a private cloud with the availability of the public cloud. This approach tends to be significantly more cost-effective and offers a wide array of features.
Depending on the needs of your company, hybrid cloud options allow businesses to opt-in and out of different levels of features to best tailor their needs. According to Rochelle B. McDaniel, an IT writer at Writinity and Researchpapersuk, “every single company will interact with data and security in differing ways. Some companies will make the cloud their go-to place for data storage while others use it to hold sharable and aggregate data.” When it comes to security, it is essential to know what level of data interaction a company is planning to participate in.
When done well, the idea of a hybrid system will help a company establish a secure security framework. The outline and understanding of that security are fundamental for the migration into this form of infrastructure. Here are three significant areas that you should consider when it comes to securing your hybrid cloud framework.
Automation Creates Reliability
It can be said that when it comes to hybrid cloud implementation, an organization may find that the complexity of which the systems are formed can be overwhelming in some ways. When it comes to private cloud storage, many companies found that there are not clear viewpoints or control over the systems that make up the framework. This becomes an issue when organizations are attempting to monitor security risks and manually work configuration management.
When companies are limited in their control and visibility are highly likely to fail in their endeavors to implement new configurations. This is mainly due to the lack of tracking when it comes to configuration shifts and overall knowledge of system changes.
The best option that an organization has is to not only develop coded infrastructures but also focus on security as code. This is best stated by a cybersecurity expert at DraftBeyond and LastMinuteWriting, Don K. Haas, when he writes that “manual processes are becoming more and more obsolete when it comes to the constantly changing nature of cybersecurity. The beauty of automation is that it sustains verification and repetition. This makes it highly reliable and astonishingly efficient.”
There is no perfect formula for developing an automatic system, and with every significant change, there is risk involved. Still, it would be detrimental to a company for them not to consider the viability of automated systems.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of an Audit
When the hybrid cloud is done well, a company is sure to find that the state of security is highly recognized. With every system needing new and differing elements, the best way to develop this well-created system is to take the time to research, understand, and revise your security strategy. As you shift into the hybrid cloud infrastructure, use it as a time to establish security as a priority. This will give you the edge up when it comes to improving tools and practices that you most likely overlook. Just as the general area of technology and innovation are continually growing and changing, so are the features and requirements for keeping systems secure.
Securing the Data
As vague as that may seem, the idea of securing the data needs to be broken into two fields. The first being “resting data” and the second being “data in motion.” Successfully securing data that lives within the cloud requires organizations to understand that these two major types of data require different levels and tools of security to remain safeguarded.
When it comes to data at rest, most organizations find that full-disk and partition encryption are great ways to protect this form of information. On that same wavelength, it would be wise to restrict elements such as manual password entry into these drives. This type of problem is solved through Network Bound Disk Encryption.
Now when you are securing data that is being transferred within the network, it is crucial to be aware of the potential for interception of data. Similar to data at rest, the most understood and effective way to protect is through encryption. Rather than, full-disk or partition encryption, data in motion is best protected under network-specific encryption that focuses on communication in the form of cryptography.
When it comes to hybrid cloud implementation, an organization must be ready to make big moves on the security front to ensure the best quality experience. This is broken down into what level of automation is being implemented, how the security measures are being evaluated and altered, and what level of security is being created for each type of stored data.
Author Bio: Ashley Halsey is known nationwide for her projects and professional writings at Luckyassignments.com and Gumessays.com. She not only maintains a high regard for business training and travel but also enjoys the role of a mother of two.
Ashley Halsey is a guest blogger. All opinions are her own.
Securing Shared Infrastructure
Whitepaper
Cloud computing is different from traditional on premise IT. The cloud is a shared infrastructure and when using shared infrastructures, organizations do not control much of the technology that underlies the cloud services they engage, especially networking. Shared infrastructures have their own security considerations that should be assessed before embracing the cloud.
