5 Things to Know About Using a Hybrid Network
The days of securing data in a locked room protected by guards and other physical firewalls in accessible locations are long gone. Today, enterprises rely on networks, which are far more complex, extending beyond the traditional perimeter and sitting in multiple geographical settings.
Many organizations, especially medium to large-sized firms, typically manage dynamic heterogeneous (hybrid) networks that encompass on-premise data centers, public clouds, and private clouds. A hybrid network combines the benefits of a traditional on-premise data center and cloud environment, making it more agile, reliable, secure, scalable, and cost-effective. Hybrid networks have become a game changer and are now considered the future.
Here are five important things to know if you’re new or planning on using a hybrid network.
Important Things to Know
Visibility Is Essential But More Complicated
The complexity of a dynamic heterogeneous environment presents visibility challenges to the security team. You cannot protect what you cannot see, and obtaining full visibility across a hybrid network is essential. You’ll need extensive knowledge of a hybrid network landscape, how it works, its components, and connectivity flows. Without such understanding, your team may not be on the same page, which can further complicate things and compromise operations.
IT Security Skill Gaps
Running a hybrid network requires a certain set of skill sets and knowledge that borrows from managing on-premise and cloud networks. Hybrid networks are relatively new, meaning there’s a scarcity of certified personnel capable of managing them. Not to mention, hybrid networks experience certain security risks and threats unique to the landscape. So, with such skill shortages, your organization might be at risk as you transition to a hybrid environment.
Network Performance
The hybrid cloud’s performance will depend on how much you optimize how app components run. A more effective way of improving performance involves grouping apps into workloads. You can create workloads in multiple ways, including exploring options like virtual machines or containers.
Ensuring Compliance
A hybrid network comprises multiple layers of security controls. So, ensuring continuous compliance can be a tedious and time-consuming process prone to errors. On top of that, the regulatory landscape is often changing, and security protocols for on-premise and cloud environments do not always stay the same. Preparing for audits manually can sometimes be difficult.
Hybrid Cloud Best Practices
Most cloud services offer basic security features such as firewalls and, in some cases, advanced features, including automated encryption. Still, it’s recommended to implement your own cloud security strategies for improved data and system safety. So, if you’re using a hybrid cloud environment, there are certain best practices you should adopt. They include encrypting data, distributed access controls, restricted access to sensitive data, and penetration tests to test for vulnerabilities.
Get A Hybrid Network Today
The benefits hybrid cloud computing offers are tremendous. But they are not without their challenges. Using a hybrid network is associated with the problems of skill deficiency, poor visibility, and maintaining compliance. Fortunately, you can overcome these challenges by partnering with a hybrid network professional like Thinline Tech.
At Thinline Tech, you’re guaranteed the benefits of a comprehensive hybrid approach spanning on-premise, private, and public clouds. You’re assured of continuous visibility, compliance, business alignment, and risk management.
To find out more, schedule a free consultation with us today.