However, the hybrid cloud creates a complex, distributed environment that can be difficult to secure. Attackers have ample opportunity to exploit inconsistencies, misconfigurations and gaps in defenses across diverse platforms and service types.
Organizations also struggle to gain end-to-end visibility across the hybrid cloud environment. IT teams may lack a clear understanding of where data resides, who has access to it and whether it’s vulnerable to attack. The dynamic nature of the cloud makes it difficult to detect threats and respond rapidly to incidents.
A zero-trust architecture can help organizations address hybrid cloud complexity and enhance their security posture. With zero trust, every user, device and application seeking access is assumed to be a threat until verified and validated. They are also granted the minimum permissions they need.
Common Hybrid Cloud Threats
According to the 2024 IBM X-Force Cloud Threat Landscape Report, 28 percent of unauthorized cloud access was gained through compromised credentials. One-third of cloud-related security incidents were the result of phishing, which attackers often use to steal credentials.
In September 2024, Microsoft identified a serious ransomware threat in hybrid cloud environments. Active since 2021, the Storm-0501 group exploits weak credentials and accounts with excess privileges to access on-premises IT environments and create persistent backdoor access. In the 2024 attacks, Storm-0501 moved laterally from on-premises to cloud environments, exfiltrating and tampering with data, stealing credentials, and deploying ransomware for financial gain.
Insider threats and privilege misuse are also leading threats to cloud security. According to the 2024 Insider Threat Report, 83 percent of organizations experienced one or more insider attacks in the preceding 12 months. Complicated hybrid cloud environments, weak enforcement policies, and limited visibility and access controls were leading factors in these attacks.
How Zero Trust Address Hybrid Cloud Threats
The zero-trust architecture provides a framework for combating these threats. It combines a variety of security solutions to continuously verify all entities seeking access and to enforce least-privilege access principles. This includes all APIs, containers and microservices that interact with the hybrid cloud environment.
Identity and access management and privileged access management are key features of zero trust, coupled with access controls and robust authentication methods. All entities are monitored in real time, enabling IT teams to spot anomalies and threats quickly. Just-in-time access grants entities access to specific applications or data as needed.
Micro-segmentation is another critical component of the zero-trust architecture. Segmentation limits an attacker’s ability to move laterally through the environment by breaking up the network into smaller parts. Ideally, each workload is isolated in a virtual private cloud protected by its own security appliance.
Benefits of the Zero Trust Architecture
Zero trust represents a new way of thinking about hybrid cloud security. Traditional security strategies focus on the secure perimeter, in which everything inside the network is trusted and everything outside is a threat. That doesn’t work in a distributed, hybrid cloud environment. Zero trust assumes that a breach has already occurred, and focuses on rapid detection and limiting damage.
The zero-trust architecture improves hybrid cloud security by reducing the attack surface and minimizing potential vulnerabilities. Restricted access helps protect sensitive data, while continuous monitoring allows for faster detection of suspicious activity.
Allied Market Research expects the global hybrid cloud market will see a 17.2 percent compound annual growth rate through 2023. If yours is among the many organizations adopting hybrid cloud, Technologent’s cloud and cybersecurity teams can help you take advantage of zero trust to enhance your security posture.
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