This “multi-cloud” model has become popular due to its many operational advantages, but it is not without its many questions that need to be anticipated in order to reap its full benefits in complete security.
Common problems
The use of multi-cloud operates in different ways depending on the data management policies of each organization. While it is particularly common to use separate vendors for infrastructure, platform and application needs, many organizations are now using multiple Iaas, PaaS and SaaS services simultaneously.
This is a choice that corresponds to the desire to prevent too strong a dependence on one supplier, but which is explained above all by the technical adaptability that it allows. By opting for dedicated services for each need and suppliers specialized in each task, network administrators can design IT architectures that are perfectly tuned to business needs and always optimally sized. Financially, it’s also a way to take advantage of the fierce competition among cloud providers to get the best prices available for each service.
These undoubted operational advantages, however, pose many challenges, not the least of which is the considerable complexity of cybersecurity efforts. In a context of a significant increase in cyber attacks, linked in particular to geopolitical tensions and the new opportunities provided by the digitalization of companies, the accumulation of cloud services is also synonymous with an increase in potential security breaches. The interconnection between cloud services in multicloud architectures can lead to the uncontrolled circulation of sensitive data and personal data, the processing of which is now strictly regulated.
A comprehensive review of security policies
For organizations that are aware of these issues, the gradual adoption of the multi-cloud model must be accompanied by a regular review of security and data handling policies. As cloud solutions continue to evolve, the technical, legal and regulatory compliance of all services must be re-evaluated at regular intervals, taking into account the uses and criticality of the data exchanged.
Particular attention must be paid to the security of APIs due to the significant differences in maturity between providers in this area. Despite the high complexity of the data circulation pattern in multi-cloud environments, the objective must be to achieve a unified vision of the application ecosystem in order to deduce an appropriate security plan. A task in which the close cooperation of the company’s partners and its cloud providers is essential.
A lever for optimization
This process of constant reassessment of the infrastructure and its security should not be seen as a simple precautionary measure. Beyond cybersecurity, the superposition of sometimes redundant tools and the increasing complexity of IT architectures can sometimes put a strain on the productivity of both IT departments and business teams.
Because it provides a better understanding of the company’s application environment, rigorous management of multi-cloud issues can also be the starting point for optimizing security processes and business processes.