Multi-Cloud Security Approach

Multi-cloud environments are common in business whether your organization deploys fully on the cloud or you still retain some IT infrastructure on-premise in a hybrid setting.

Multi-cloud service involves the use of cloud services from multiple vendors such as Amazon web service, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and private cloud environment. It also includes the use of specialized platform-as-a-service and software-as-a-service from various providers.

With the widespread deployment of multi-cloud systems comes new cybersecurity risks. The interplay between cloud infrastructure from multiple providers may create security issues that IT admins are not prepared for.

Benefits of Multi-Cloud Systems

1. Better Choice

Multi-cloud deployment gives organizations and developers the freedom to choose components and services from multiple cloud vendors that are best suited to their goals.

It helps organizations maximize efficiency by allowing them to take advantage of various cloud offerings.

2. Cost Savings

Multi-cloud systems also allow organizations to enjoy competitive pricing from different cloud vendors trying to gain new customers. A cloud provider’s offering can be tried without dismantling existing systems.

3. Prevent Downtime and Disruption

With the adoption of multi-cloud deployment, you cannot rule out the possibility of disruptions. Cyber-attacks or user misconfigurations may knock out or severely limit the operations of a particular cloud provider for hours or days. This can lead to business disruptions and loss in revenue.

A multi-cloud deployment will ensure that your business has the right infrastructure to stay online because it can rely on other providers for backup in case of disruptions caused by attacks, emergencies, and disasters.

How to Improve Multi-Cloud Security

1. Familiarize with Multi-Cloud Environment

Cybersecurity becomes tricky if the multi-cloud environment your business infrastructure is based on is not properly understood. IT managers and administrators should be familiar with all the cloud services used by an organization to gauge the strengths and weaknesses and create effective security controls.

2. Adopt a Multi-Cloud Specific Security Strategy

Some IT managers still see multi-cloud security as an extension of on-premise data centers. However, a multi-cloud environment needs its own security strategy because forcing on-premise security tools and processes on multi-cloud systems may cause unexpected cyber incidents.

3. Consolidate Cloud Infrastructure Technology

Juggling among different tools and processes for different cloud-based environments can be quite challenging for organizations. This process can also lead to costly mistakes that can slow down the adoption of new technology and trigger security incidents. Identifying and categorizing the tools that are available for managing various cloud environments in your organization will help to improve security.

4. Improve Authorization Workflow

Organizations with multi-cloud security deployment need a framework that supports the various cloud technologies in use. Managing users, administrators, and auditors of a system can be very complex in a multi-cloud environment.

Different cloud frameworks authentication workflow may not work directly with competitors or scale along easily. External cloud frameworks for managing multi-cloud systems may be needed for each unique organization’s need.

Different application components can be harnessed together through better workflow to improve the security of a business’ multi-cloud environment.

5. Implement Applications Hardening

Regular audit of a multi-cloud system is essential for security. It enables IT managers to discover and fix vulnerabilities before bad actors can exploit them.

Since multi-cloud applications need to communicate with one another, security risks may be heightened because of exposed communication APIs that may be exploited by cybercriminals.

Auditing exposed remote control systems and API and limiting access to them will help mitigate cyber attacks.

6. Improve Data Processing Confidentiality

Security best practices are applied to data storage and transfer between cloud providers. However, not enough attention is paid on stored data being processed.

For sensitive data, this might pose a problem among multi-cloud systems since there are no mandatory data processing policies providers are required to follow. It is up to your organization to access and develop an effective policy for handling data processing.

7. Continuous System Monitoring

Many cloud providers have inbuilt cloud monitoring systems that are not cross-platform. For a multi-cloud environment, such systems are inadequate. You must be fully aware of the state of all your IT infrastructure in the cloud for better security.

Monitoring tools that can integrate with all your business cloud providers, as well as on-premise infrastructure, are needed. Effective monitoring ensures that you have a current view of your organization’s data so that attacks could be quickly detected and blocked.

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While general cloud platforms have cybersecurity risks, multi-cloud systems have different sets of security issues that must be uniquely addressed to protect an organization’s infrastructure from being compromised. Following the recommendations in this article will help improve your business resilience against attacks. For additional questions, please contact SDTEK today.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.