The rapid migration to the cloud over the past year has created opportunity for the kind of user error that can generate security risks for businesses. In transitioning from on-premises infrastructure to cloud-native services, some organisations are failing to adequately address the need for cloud security, leaving gaps in the security network and potentially weakening organisational security posture. This is especially true for organisations that accelerated the adoption of cloud-based services, as misconfigurations of cloud environments could easily occur and create new risks without organisations being aware. More often than not, this is a human issue unrelated to technology solutions.
Organisations straddling cloud and on-premises environments often find the cyber security solutions they implemented to secure their legacy systems don’t cover cloud-native services. This can add unwarranted cost and complexity. Choosing a strategic, hybrid-ready cyber security software solution avoids the need to have separate security solutions to cover on-premises and cloud environments, even as organisations evolve towards more cloud usage.
Cloud security should be an integral part of any cloud migration strategy. We’ve identified three reasons organisations must prioritise investments in hybrid-ready cyber security software services to fortify hybrid cloud solutions:
1. Increased visibility and control
With cloud-based services and solutions, an incredible amount of organisational data is housed externally. It’s essential that organisations invest in cyber security software that’s designed for hybrid environments and will not only best protect business data and information, but facilitate more real-time visibility and control over data to maintain its value and integrity. Having enhanced visibility over data wherever it resides is essential for today’s businesses, as it lets companies gain a more holistic view and understanding of important company information and potential risks that need to be assessed and controlled.
2. Consistent network governance
When it comes to hybrid cloud environments, it’s critical that companies invest in cyber security software and support services that provide consistent network governance across cloud environments, including private cloud or public cloud environments like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services. When integrating cloud migration services, companies should invest in cyber security software that can assess security controls against best-practice governance models in real time across on-premises and cloud environments equally. By integrating comprehensive cyber security software like this into the cloud migration strategy, companies can ensure the same level of network governance is in effect across hybrid environments.
3. Strategic IT services transformation
Strategic thinking around cloud security solutions is essential to a successful cloud migration strategy. Agility and flexibility is a common goal for businesses, therefore the IT services need to mirror this requirement without adding complexity or exposure. Organisations need to have the flexibility to ‘lift and shift’ or re-architect applications to utilise cloud-native services i.e PaaS and Microservices etc. The governance model and unified policy management is key; ensuring any migrated or new service applies the necessary security controls and they aligns to an approved governance model. A governance model that incorporates real-time, automatic auditing and identifies non-compliant controls at the click of a button saves time and frees up IT staff to focus on accelerating key activities to achieve business outcomes. Meanwhile, the organisation can achieve consistency across network governance and control while supporting cloud-native services just as robustly as on-premises environments, reducing operational overhead and strengthening the organisation’s on going security posture.
By choosing comprehensive cyber security software designed to accommodate cloud and on-premises environments without adding undue complexity as part of the cloud migration strategy, organisations can extend their level of visibility and control over data without incurring substantial costs. At ditno, our hybrid cloud cyber security software solutions protect your on-premises environment and integrate with public cloud environments including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to help minimise your risk exposure while improving your network visibility and governance. This delivers a futureproof approach to cybersecurity that will flex alongside your organisation’s increased uptake of cloud services over time.
Blog by Andy Walker – CEO at ditno
If you would like more information on how Matrium Technologies can help you migrate to the cloud and manage your hybrid environment with confidence please contact us;
P: 1300 889 888
E: info@matrium.com.au