What is Multi-Cloud Security?

What is Multi-Cloud Security?

Multi-Cloud security protects the cloud infrastructure and everything in it. Responsibility for cloud security varies depending on the type of cloud. Cloud environments increase an organization’s attack surface and require security that can keep up with the agility and flexibility of these environments. In addition, to effectively monitoring events, visibility throughout the network must be available, not just for one isolated cloud.

Multi-cloud generally refers to using two or more cloud services, typically a mix of public infrastructure as a service (IaaS), such as AWS and Microsoft Azure. It can also include software as a service (SaaS) implementations. In addition, enterprises tend to have private cloud deployments on-premises, and all these workloads must be protected regardless of where they reside. Hence, multi-cloud security solves the challenge of protecting the increasing attack surfaces that result from multiple cloud deployments.

What are the cloud types?

• Public – Hosted clouds such as AWS and Microsoft Azure, where the provider protects the infrastructure and the user is responsible for securing the applications and data they put in the cloud.
• Private – A virtualized environment run by or for a single organization, where the organization or hired third-party is responsible for securing all aspects of it.
• SaaS—(Software as a service), meaning applications are hosted and licensed by a third party. Common SaaS applications include software for: office applications, database management (DBMS), accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and many more. 

What are the main challenges of securing a multi-cloud environment?

Employing multiple cloud vendors results in different cloud platforms, applications, integrations, and typically a disparate collection of security products. This makes it impossible to monitor what’s happening across all the clouds, properly manage risk, address regulatory compliance, and maintain consistent security policies.

How can today's cloud security requirements be addressed?

Integrated, automated security that provides visibility and centralized management/reporting across all cloud platforms and applications is required to cover the security gaps created by the expanding attack surface.

In addition, secure data transfer and communications between clouds, such as with a VPN is necessary, along with the ability to segment application and data migration between clouds.

The Fortinet Security Fabric delivers transparent visibility, policies, and controls across the entirety of the cloud attack surface, down to the virtual traffic layer. It seamlessly scales cloud security by including a comprehensive portfolio of security solutions including email, application, endpoint, access security, and more. You can secure your entire network, including your multi-cloud environment with the Fortinet Security Fabric.

Where can I learn more about the security fabric approach?

Visit the Fortinet Security Fabric page to learn how its broad, integrated, and automated approach delivers a true end-to-end security solution.