The need for IT modernization is driving a massive push toward multi-cloud architecture. Cybersecurity, scalability, and operational efficiency all factor into organizational decisions to move away from legacy systems and adopt a contemporary IT structure that can more efficiently accommodate changing business needs. The transformation is also necessary if organizations are to remain relevant in today’s digital economy, where technology underlies most operations and, in many cases, product and service delivery. Forbes predicted that, for the first time, businesses will spend more than $1 trillion on cloud computing in 2024.
That investment will accelerate the implementation of multi-cloud architecture worldwide.
Multi-cloud architecture can be an effective strategy in the complex IT modernization process. However, data privacy and compliance issues in certain industries can complicate this approach.
Read more: 2024 IT modernization trends
Advantages of multi-cloud architecture
A multi-cloud architecture combines two or more clouds that can be public, private, or a mix of the two. This strategy usually involves multiple cloud service providers, with applications, data, and workloads strategically dispersed across different clouds.
The benefits of multi-cloud architecture are extensive.
- Customized cloud architecture: Organizations can select cloud providers based on how well their services, performance, and pricing align with business needs, such as compliance requirements and security measures.
- Scalability: Multi-cloud infrastructures can swiftly accommodate the demands of a growing business, including increased user traffic, data needs, and performance
- Greater adaptability: Organizations are not bound to any single cloud provider for the totality of their IT system to operate. This allows for greater flexibility as both cloud technology and cybersecurity practices further evolve, and business requirements and regulations change.
- Enhanced exposure management: Multi-cloud architecture does not allow for interconnectivity between clouds. If digital assets on one cloud are exposed or experience an outage, downtime, or other service disruption, digital assets on the other clouds will not be affected.
Evidently, the benefits of a multi-cloud architecture characterize a siloed environment. Conversely, a hybrid cloud architecture is a unified environment where disparate systems are interconnected. A hybrid cloud strategy can also include on-premises data centers and rely on cloud bursting to manage traffic at peak times. Multi-cloud architecture prevents cloud bursting because the clouds are not interlocked.
Read more: The business necessity of the Cloud: Recent research reveals the future of cloud computing
Developing security standards
Because of its siloed infrastructure, multi-cloud architecture is a security protection. A security incident affecting one cloud will not impact the digital assets on the other clouds within the system.
Unified security measures should be implemented across a multi-cloud architecture, including identity and access management and data encryption when data is both in transit and at rest. Of course, there will be nuances and differences between cloud providers’ offerings and technology, but most provide safeguards like:
- Real-time policy enforcement to ensure that users are adhering to security guidelines and the organization can rapidly respond to potential threats, diminishing security incidents.
- A cloud firewall to filter against harmful traffic.
- Cloud network segmentation to create isolated sub-networks that minimize threats and unauthorized access.
- Web protection to offer protection against phishing scams and malware.
A cloud security posture management (CSPM) tool ensures that protections stay in compliance. Secure access service edge (SASE) is a cloud-based solution that offers both the network and the network security on demand so organizations can scale security up or down as needed.
Continuous visibility is also needed to maximize these security protections’ efficacy. To effectively evaluate risks, you must know what is running in the Cloud, view inbound and outbound Internet traffic, and track access patterns for unusual activity.
Read more: Cloud security controls that help mitigate risk
Manage your multi-cloud infrastructure with a partner
Modernizing a legacy IT infrastructure to multi-cloud architecture brings many long-term benefits. However, the migration process and support for day-to-day operations of multi-cloud infrastructure can be complex. An expert partner like CBTS can streamline the process and keep your cloud environments running smoothly. CBTS has the experience to identify which cloud providers best meet an organization’s needs and optimize their services to deliver maximum results.
Joining forces with CBTS means access to a seamless transition strategy from legacy systems to a multi-cloud environment, which will limit business disruption and insights on the next wave of cloud innovation.
Contact us today to get started.
