Less than half of IT leaders have a clear understanding of their business’s multi-cloud operation

The research from the specialist IT cybersecurity distributor reveals almost two in five (37%) IT leaders say their organisation is currently working across a multi-cloud environment, yet more than a third (34%) haven’t addressed the security risks associated with operating in this type of environment. This means more than one in three organisations could be at risk of a cybersecurity breach.

When considering how many organisations have diversified over the last two years, and the fact a third (33%) are planning to develop multi-cloud operations in the next 12 months, it’s concerning, but perhaps not surprising, to see that so many still need to put measures in place to protect their data, stakeholders and reputation.

What’s more, just two in five (44%) IT leaders across the UK are aware of the security risks when operating across this type of environment.

“The average company is using 2.2 public clouds*, while 99% of organisations are using one or more software-as-a-service applications**, and 87% are operating from a hybrid, or multi-cloud, deployment***. However, multi-cloud has organically developed and, for most, we’re experiencing working across it for the first time, so it is important that IT leaders truly understand how to work in it and the security measures needed to protect their organisation, its people and customers.”

“Cyber threats are constantly evolving, meaning cybersecurity needs are too. So, it’s essential that multi-cloud security solutions are designed to adapt with those needs to protect an increasingly progressive digital infrastructure across a multi-cloud landscape,” comments Lance Williams, Chief Production Officer at Distology.

When it comes to protecting their operations, almost half (45%) believe they could be doing more to protect their organisation from cybersecurity threats across a multi-cloud environment, and despite some opting to use data encryption, almost two fifths (39%) aren’t confident in its effectiveness.

What are IT leaders putting in place to support and protect their organisation’s multi-cloud environment?

1.      52% use software-defined networking solutions (SDN/SDWAN) to support multi-cloud operations

2.      48% use multiple encryption solutions and key stores

3.      31% use data encryption across the whole network

4.      29% use data encryption in some environments

Mark Edge, Cyolo, Director UKI, Nordic, Benelux comments “As network entry points continue to explode, so does your attack surface. It becomes more critical than ever to consider a least privilege-based approach to connectivity. Identity should be the foundation and it’s also imperative to only provide access to specific hosts or applications and to constantly verify every request to make sure the attack surface is minimised.”

In a bid to secure the multi-cloud operations of organisations, Distology has recently launched its new multi-cloud cybersecurity portfolio to protect an increasingly progressive digital infrastructure across a multi-cloud landscape. The new portfolio includes ThreatX, which offers web app and API security, Cyolo, which provides zero trust-based network security access to applications, and Fortanix, which specialises in data security.