The definition of multi-cloud is using two or more cloud services from two or more vendors. The multi-cloud architecture provides you with increased adaptability, elasticity, and reliability. According to the Gartner survey, 81% of respondents said they use multi-cloud security. However, as beneficial as the multi-cloud service may be to IT pros, it can present you with multiple challenges. This article addresses these challenges and exemplifies preventive measures, so you may continue using the cloud services easily without complications.
1. Configuration Errors
When your company transfers large amounts of company data and workload to the cloud, a security issue can arise if the security and privacy settings are misconfigured. The problem occurs because vendors can provide you with insufficient knowledge before the workload migration. On a multi-cloud server, this problem can intensify exponentially as your software team is in charge of handling multiple cloud servers and has to ensure that all of them work with each other in harmony. As the problem arises because of human error, you can easily prevent this dilemma by simply employing automated configuration management tools.
2. User Access Control
Cloud software has inbuilt systems for user management; it controls users’ authorization and access privileges. Multi-cloud systems make this work more complex and demanding, as you now have to maintain multiple user management profiles. This can cause logistical problems. However, you can quickly remedy the situation. by using a centralized framework that supports all the cloud software in your system and then lets you apply the same access control and security measures for all of your clouds.
3. Visibility
When you use a cloud server, the third party will not grant you access to the system’s full details by default — keeping the security flaws and vulnerabilities out of your visibility. This is already a significant issue as your data is continuously being compromised. The problem only increases as the number of clouds to use increases. Your information becomes more compromised from multiple angles. To steer clear of this issue and have complete visibility of your multi-cloud architecture, you will require a centralized cloud monitoring solution that you can swiftly run on all your platforms.
4. Data Governance
These days, companies are vigorously competing against each other to maximize profit. In this regard, the data your company generates plays a key role. Due to its precious nature, you must safeguard this information. However, governing such data is already a massive challenge for you, and the difficulty only increases when we bring multi-cloud into the equation. You have to ensure that the information is available to the applications and users and is secure from external domains.
To overcome this problem, you need a policy framework known as multi-cloud governance solutions. You will have to dedicate your effort to write down comprehensive policies. In the end, you can ensure who has access and who can modify your data. It is an effective way to ensure data governance.
Endnote
While multi-cloud security provides you with numerous benefits, such as competitive pricing, agility, and boosted resistance, it is essential to know that unless your IT team does not correctly implement multi-cloud, the negative consequences might outweigh the costs. To minimize loss and use the new technology to your optimum level, it is always a good idea to provide your team with training on how to prevent and resolve issues of multi-cloud architecture.