Hybrid cloud computing combines the benefits of private and public cloud computing: mission-critical business information can reside in secure private cloud environments on-site while cost-sensitive data and apps can run in multi-tenant cloud data centers off premise. This distribution of IT workloads is based on a tradeoff between cost, performance and dependability of a service. Hybrid cloud computing offers the opportunity to strike an optimal tradeoff—but it also faces significant security challenges.

In this article, let’s discuss some key security challenges facing the hybrid cloud as well as industry-proven security best practices to protect your hybrid cloud data centers:

Hybrid cloud data protection

One of the primary concerns that prevent cloud migration is the security of data in the cloud. While private cloud data centers may be physically located on premise, it still follows the model of cloud computing: data stored in private cloud is accessed over the private IT network infrastructure, which is potentially vulnerable to infringements, data leak, eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Hybrid cloud computing allows organizations to take advantage of both public and private cloud models. Benefits include reducing the risk of security threats; however, additional measures are required to manage security as the overall IT architecture becomes a complex mix of public and private cloud deployments. To ensure data security in the private cloud, follow these best practices:

• Encrypt data at rest and in transition.
• Use strong identity and access management (IAM) capabilities.
• Use cryptographic protocols (SSL/TSL) for secure data transmission over the network.
• Use SSH network protocols for data communication between unsecured network connections.
• Communicate the inherent data security risks to your customers and end-users.

Risk assessment and monitoring

Risks facing cloud networks evolve rapidly as cybercriminals find new ways to compromise vulnerable network endpoints and communication channels. To understand cloud network behavior at any given moment, you need an accurate risk profile. This information is critical to proactively perform the necessary risk mitigation activities. It is therefore important to follow these best practices:

• Evaluate and quantify the risk facing private cloud migration initiatives.
• Develop a risk profile and identify the resources required to tackle the security challenges within the available budget.
• Keep all software and network end-points up to date with security patches.
• Monitor network traffic behavior for suspicious activities.
• Use advanced AI-based network monitoring technologies that correlate network behavior with potential risk activities facing the cloud.