Objectives

  • Understand the "Shared Responsibility Model" in a hybrid context.
  • Identify hybrid-specific security risks and how to mitigate them.
  • Learn about Zero Trust architecture and its application to hybrid cloud.

1. Shared Responsibility Model

Security is a partnership between you and the cloud provider.

  • Cloud Provider Responsibility: Security OF the cloud (Physical data centers, core networking, hardware).
  • Customer Responsibility: Security IN the cloud (Your data, application code, identity management, and the "bridge" connecting to on-premises).

2. Hybrid Security Risks

  • Increased Attack Surface: More entry points (on-premises, cloud, and the connection between them).
  • Misconfigurations: Inconsistent security policies between environments.
  • Access Control: Complications in managing permissions across different systems.
  • Insecure Connections: Risk of data interception if tunnels are not properly encrypted.

3. Mitigating Risks

  • Zero Trust Architecture: Never trust, always verify. Every request (even from within the network) must be authenticated and authorized.
  • Encryption Everywhere: Use encryption for data at rest (on-premises and in the cloud) and data in transit.
  • Regular Audits: Use automated tools (e.g., Security Command Center) to scan for vulnerabilities and compliance violations.

Practical Exercise: Security Audit

  1. A user is able to access a database in the cloud from an unmanaged personal laptop at home. Which security principle has been violated?
  2. List 3 security measures you would implement to protect the connection between your data center and the cloud.
  3. Define the "Shared Responsibility" for a Managed Kubernetes service (like GKE or AKS) in a hybrid setup.