As vCISOs, we constantly hear about active trends across the market and various industries. Over this past year, a strong topic of conversation has been about building back from the cloud for infrastructure as a service into a hybrid of on-premises IT services and infrastructure. This hybrid infrastructure has emerged as a cost-effective solution that combines the benefit of both on-premises services and cloud environments.
Recent trends have indicated that the cost of running services or applications in a cloud environment such as Azure, AWS, or GCP are rising. IT and security departments find it to be more cost-effective when they bring them back in-house, since these services and workloads in the cloud are an operational expense. Therefore, using company dollars as a one-time capital expense can greatly reduce an organization’s IT and security expenses.
While a hybrid infrastructure offers undeniable advantages, it also introduces a range of complex security implications that demand careful consideration and strategic planning. Wolf & Company’s vCISOs are helping organizations navigate areas of security concerns with this hybrid approach. Below, we will detail seven key challenges that arise with a hybrid environment and ways to mitigate these implications.
1. Data Movement and Transfer Vulnerabilities
One of the most significant challenges to set up a hybrid infrastructure is the secure movement of data between on-premises and cloud components. Data transfers are prone to vulnerabilities such as interception, data leakage, and unauthorized access. Employing encryption protocols and secure data transfer mechanisms is crucial to mitigate these risks. Additionally, organizations must establish clear guidelines for handling data and implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized data transfers. Secure configurations and testing are vital to ensure your data is moving as intended and does not “leak” outside of your controlled environments.
2. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
In a hybrid environment, managing identities and controlling access becomes a multifaceted task. The integration of on-premises systems with cloud services necessitates a robust IAM strategy. First, ensuring that users have appropriate permissions across both environments is crucial. Organizations can implement technologies such as single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to fortify their identity management, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. When these areas of your IAM program are set and working as intended, an ongoing monitoring program must be implemented to ensure access creep or inactive accounts are addressed quickly and consistently.
3. Compliance and Regulatory Challenges
Hybrid infrastructure often brings organizations under the purview of multiple compliance frameworks. Different data storage locations, varying security measures, and complex data flows can complicate compliance efforts. Organizations must thoroughly understand the regulatory requirements pertinent to their industry and geographic locations. This understanding will guide the implementation of security measures that ensure compliance across the entire hybrid environment.
4. Data Residency and Jurisdictional Issues
A hybrid infrastructure model blurs the geographical lines of data storage and processing. This can lead to challenges related to data residency and jurisdictional laws. Organizations must be cognizant of where their data resides and understand the legal frameworks governing data in those regions. Failure to comply with such regulations could result in severe legal and financial repercussions.
5. Visibility and Monitoring
Monitoring a hybrid infrastructure environment requires a holistic approach that covers both on-premises and cloud components. Organizations need to implement advanced monitoring tools that provide real-time insights into the security status of all elements within the hybrid setup. This level of visibility enables rapid detection and response to any security incidents, minimizing potential damage.
6. Vendor Management
In a hybrid model, organizations often rely on a mix of cloud service providers and traditional infrastructure vendors. Each vendor introduces its own set of security protocols and practices. Effective vendor management becomes essential to ensure that the chosen partners align with the organization’s security standards. Thoroughly vetting vendors and including security requirements in contracts can help mitigate third-party risks.
7. Complexity and Skill Gap
Hybrid infrastructure environments are inherently complex, demanding a high level of expertise to manage effectively. Many organizations may struggle to find and retain skilled professionals who can navigate the intricacies of both on-premises and cloud technologies. Investing in training and upskilling for IT personnel is crucial to bridge this skill gap and maintain the security of the hybrid infrastructure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while a hybrid infrastructure offers numerous benefits in terms of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, the security implications cannot be ignored. Organizations must approach hybrid environments with a comprehensive security strategy that encompasses data movement, identity management, compliance, monitoring, and more. By proactively addressing these challenges, businesses can harness the advantages of hybrid infrastructure while safeguarding their critical assets and maintaining the trust of their customers and stakeholders. If you need additional assistance navigating your hybrid infrastructure, Wolf’s vCISO team is here to help.
