With all data available and accessible out there, don’t you think security could be a major concern. In fact when it comes to network of businesses. Organisations out there are heavily relying on cloud services – both for storing and processing sensitive data.
This leads to a major challenge – how to manage network ingenious across multiple cloud platforms? Here’s what our take about this concern!
What is cloud network security? What are the risks associated with it as per Slurp’it?
Cloud network security, in layman’s language, is everything an organisation does/uses to protect its cloud networks. They might use some technology, control, or some policies.
Let’s look at it this way – organisations are now migrating to the cloud. The cloud environment comes with many complexities. For example, unauthorised access to sensitive data.
Now since the data is spread across multiple cloud platforms, the attack surface area increases. This makes it harder for IT teams to get a clear view of the network infrastructure. Also, let’s not forget, in cloud environments, resources can be provisioned and deprovisioned rapidly. Adding up to yet another change.
All of this fluidity often leads to “shadow IT” environments. Users try to deploy cloud services without IT department approval. The network security management gets more complicated. And the risk of data breach heightens.
As per Slurp’it with too much data available at ease, cybercriminals thus target cloud-based systems – a major risk!
How was the traditional network inventory management?
Before coming into how the cloud works, let’s first understand how traditional network inventory management works. It was more straightforward back then. Companies maintained a centralised inventory of network devices, servers, and software assets. This gave them better visibility and control over the infrastructure and network security.
However, the traditional methods of network inventory management, such as physical audits and spreadsheet tracking, become inadequate. The reason is the cloud and hybrid environments. Cloud based infrastructure is more distributed. It comes with sophistication, hence even the inventory management approach had to be changed.
Here are the benefits of cloud network security:
- Since cloud service providers use advanced security technologies, the network becomes safer. For example, intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and encryption softwares.
- There is also a reduced administrative overhead. Because over here, organisations offload complex security infrastructure management to CSPs, and they get time to focus more on core business activities.
- Organisations can even scale security measures as needed, without investing in new infrastructure.
- The centralised management platforms available here gives a clearer views of network assets. And even configurations.
- And lastly proactive threat management. As per Slurp’it businesses can proactively react to any issues that may occur since they will be getting up to date information about all the inventories.
What are the challenges of network inventory management?
When you are thinking of transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure, you might face multiple challenges. One major challenge being – lack of visibility and control. The reason is, CSPs (cloud service providers) handle the physical hardware and virtualization layers. Hence organisations have limited control over all the network components.
Next comes scalability and elasticity of cloud environments. Users have much accurate information about network inventory and network security. A rapid provisioning and deprovisioning of cloud resources happens here. And this makes it difficult for IT teams to track the changing network topology.
Some best practices for Cloud Network Inventory Management *
Now that you have explored the challenges, we are sure you definitely want to avoid those. Hence try:
- Keeping a centralised repository for all network assets
- Use cloud-native tools and APIs
- Automate discovery, cataloguing, and monitoring of network assets
- Establish role-based access controls
- Implement security policies and change management processes
- Continuously track network assets and configurations
- Detect all the changes and anomalies
- Standardise inventory data formats and taxonomy
With these measures, you can actually manage your cloud network inventory the best possible way. You can reduce risk, provide network security, and adhere to the compliance laid.
Here’s how you can simplify cloud network inventory management (tool recommendations):
As per Slurp’it there are multiple tools and solutions available out there to help with cloud related challenges. Now these tools use advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to automate the discovery. Additionally these tools also help with cataloguing, and monitoring of network assets across multiple cloud platforms.
Try cloud-based network inventory management platforms. You will get access to a centralised dashboard which comes with consolidated network asset data and network security. Many of these platforms also come with advanced analytics and reporting capabilities.
Next, you can even try cloud-native security tools. These tools integrate well with CSP APIs. Hence it can automatically discover and inventory network assets. Users will get real-time visibility into their network topology.
Businesses are shifting towards cloud – and with no further sayings, we all know we have to keep our network secure. The above best practices and tools are here to aid you the best. Know that, automation is here to help you. Embrace cloud network, but make sure to not miss out on the network security aspect! For more information contact us at Slurp’it!
