5 Ways to Protect Data in a Multi-Cloud Environment

Migrating enterprise data to the cloud offers significant advantages, including reduced operational costs, enhanced scalability, and simplified IT management. However, these benefits come with new security challenges. As cloud environments grow increasingly complex, especially when managing multiple cloud providers, safeguarding sensitive data becomes a shared responsibility between your organization and your cloud partners.

Success in a multi-cloud environment depends on preparation and proactive security measures. By implementing the best practices outlined in this article, your organization can mitigate vulnerabilities, protect critical information, and maintain full control over your data, no matter where it resides.

5 Best Practices for a Multi-Cloud Environment 

Protecting your data requires a proactive approach to minimize risks and maintain control. By following these five essential strategies — from creating a data inventory to securing access devices — your organization can strengthen its cloud security posture and ensure critical information stays protected.

1. Create a data inventory
2. Backup data regularly
3. Choose a partner with a good reputation and state-of-the-art security practices
4. Use file-level encryption
5. Secure devices that can access the cloud
   
   

1. Create a Data Inventory

Organizations generate large volumes of customer, financial, and operational data daily. While data stored on-premises can be monitored directly by internal teams, cloud providers act as custodians of this data. This shift makes it critical for businesses to know where their data resides and how it’s protected.

Create a data inventory to help identify where primary and backup data is stored, the frequency of back-ups, file types, file locations, and access controls, as needed. This will allow your organization to not only monitor where your data is, but prove it to compliance regulators, partners, and customers upon request.

2. Backup Data Regularly

Regardless of whether your data is in a public or private cloud, or which provider you use, data recoverability remains a joint responsibility between your organization and your cloud services provider.

Use your data inventory to determine backup frequency and identify locations that ensure geographic diversity. Critical data should be backed up more often to reduce risk. Advanced strategies like immutable backups, which prevent alteration or deletion, and air-gapped storage, which isolates data from network threats, add further resilience against ransomware.

Collaborate with your cloud provider to align on backup protocols and regulatory requirements. Don’t hesitate to review their data centers or security policies to verify they meet your business needs.

3. Choose a Partner with a Good Reputation and Solid Security Standards

Just like your own organization, your cloud services provider needs to have sound management and solid security practices baked into their culture. Evaluate their governance model, customer philosophy, and financial standing to ensure your data is well-protected.

Leverage native security tools offered by cloud providers, such as AWS GuardDuty or Azure Security Center, to monitor and address potential threats. These tools can complement third-party solutions, creating a solid security framework.

Additionally, go beyond initial evaluations by implementing continuous monitoring of your provider’s compliance certifications, financial stability, and adherence to security standards. This proactive approach ensures your provider remains a trusted partner capable of supporting your long-term business needs.

4. Use File-Level Encryption

File-level encryption, once a necessity primarily for healthcare and financial services, is now a critical safeguard for businesses of all types. It encrypts data before it’s uploaded to the cloud, ensuring security travels with the data wherever it goes.

While most cloud providers offer encryption for data stored on their platforms, relying solely on provider-side encryption could leave your business exposed. As the data owner, it's your responsibility to choose the encryption type and strength that align with your security needs and compliance obligations.

5. Secure Devices That Can Access the Cloud

To safeguard your data's confidentiality, integrity, and availability, enforce advanced security controls at both the device and user levels. There are several cloud security features to implement: 

• Access Controls: Implement role-based access, as well as geographic and time-based limits, to ensure data is accessible only to authorized individuals.
• Password Requirements: Enforce strong password requirements across all devices and tools, including mobile devices, applications, and remote access tools.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adopt a zero-trust approach with MFA and least-privilege access, granting users only the resources they absolutely need.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Use modern EDR tools to monitor and neutralize device threats quickly, ensuring a unified defense approach.
• AI and ML for Device Security: Leverage AI and machine learning to identify anomalies, detect threats in real time, and automate responses. These tools enhance your ability to proactively address security risks.
• Zero-Trust Principles: Incorporate zero-trust strategies, such as continuous authentication and micro-segmentation, to limit exposure and prevent unauthorized access.
  
  

Choosing a Cloud Service Partner

Moving enterprise data to the cloud can unlock significant advantages for your business, but it also requires a well-planned approach to mitigate risks and safeguard sensitive information. By creating a resilient architecture of data inventory, implementing consistent backups, choosing a trusted cloud partner, using file-level encryption, and securing all endpoints, you can build a resilient multi-cloud environment that supports your business goals.

When selecting a cloud partner, look for one that prioritizes security, reliability, and customer focus. FNTS offers a certified, fully redundant data center with 99.99% uptime, backed by a dedicated team of experts to help you navigate the complexities of cloud management.