Compliance Issues When Transitioning into a Hybrid IT Infrastructure

Companies moving to a hybrid infrastructure for data centers face complex challenges, so collaboration and preparation are key elements in ensuring a smooth transition.

Hybrid architectures can be supported by integrated solutions that create a seamless environment between existing infrastructure resources and newer cloud deployments. Such solutions allow organizations to regulate workloads and user access to fully support security, governance and compliance requirements.

Connecting Legacy Systems With Cloud Applications

Let’s face it, most current systems are not cloud-ready. The biggest challenge is to connect legacy systems with newer, cloud-based business applications. Solutions that can operate in a hybrid environment are essential, along with services from vendors that can support a company’s migration to the cloud.

Hybrid clouds require more due diligence when it comes to compliance. Both the public cloud provider and your private cloud must stay within compliance parameters. Maintaining and demonstrating compliance is more difficult with the hybrid model because data moves back and forth.

There are a couple of solutions to this issue. First, the two clouds must be coordinated. You not only have to ensure that your public cloud provider and private cloud are in compliance, but demonstrate the compliance of the two clouds as they work together. Second, the two clouds must meet industry standards for data security when handling sensitive data.

For many businesses, compliance and the steps towards it can feel overwhelming. But to date, much of the response to the GDPR is focused on IT infrastructure, which is manageable in smaller projects. Yet, we know that there’s a large percentage of businesses that aren’t prepared and many organizations feel that there are large grey areas within GDPR legislation. “The right to be forgotten”, which relates to data capture and affirmative consent, is one such example.

Security and hacking is another concern, with high-profile attacks continuing to dominate headlines. Recently, data breaches at large organizations have served as a reminder of the damage that attacks can cause. It’s clear that all organizations, regardless of size, are at risk.

The concerns surrounding GDPR can’t be viewed in isolation, businesses must view GDPR and its implications as a whole. Business strategy will need to coincide with deploying technology to maintain compliance and to keep customer data secure.

The Time for Innovation is Now

With companies needing to carry out a root and branch review, they currently have a choice. Should they improve their systems to comply and tick the boxes, or should they change to innovate? One would argue that being “good enough” isn’t actually good enough, as customers place so much emphasis on the security of their data. Firms should capitalize on the excellent opportunity to take stock of what they have on their networks, as well as the policies that govern them.

Enterprises are warming to the idea of the hybrid cloud as a solution that is secure, cost effective and suitable for mobile workforces. General perception used to be that businesses ran on on-premise clouds and used public clouds for application development. Now we’re seeing increased buy-in, with concerns around integration and performance put to rest.

Things get more interesting from a GDPR perspective with object storage thrown in the mix. Using this type of architecture in a hybrid infrastructure allows for sensitive data sets to remain on-site. Meanwhile, the less important data can be archived to the public cloud. Object storage also adds control of data between clouds, including public clouds such as AWS. There’s also the benefit of auditability and reliable control and management functionality. Regardless of where it sits, data can be managed using a set of tools and policies designed for hybrid platforms, tools such as CSP’s Protect-X®.

Protect-X® – The Compliance & Security Hardening Solution Built for Hybrid IT

Protect-X® user interface

Protect-X® is a browser-based, automated security compliance solution using the latest JavaScript technologies.  It supports HPE NonStop/X, Virtual NonStop and UNIX platforms.  Wholly developed by CSP, Protect X® is built using agent-less design so there is nothing to install on your NonStop servers.  All security is managed off-platform, via very fast and very strong encrypted connections.

Because Protect-X® was built with Virtual NonStop and open source applications in mind, it is the perfect tool to ensure that your hybrid infrastructure is compliant and secure. Protect-X® allows you to easily ensure compliance, assess risk and manage security of your hybrid platforms.

Protect-X®:

• Allows a single security compliance policy to be automatically verified across hybrid systems, such as NonStop Servers and Unix Servers

• Allows delegation of tasks and makes security compliance changes only after approval by the responsible administrator

Protect-X® is a powerful tool that has the ability to automatically validate compliance policies across different environments and IT architectures. It can be completely customized to suit your specific needs. It places all the power in your hands, but simplifies and automates many routine tasks.

In conclusion, a hybrid cloud solution is advised for many organizations weighing up their infrastructure options, specifically ahead of GDPR. Ultimately corporate reputation and financial implications are at stake, so businesses must take this matter seriously.

Ahead of this crucial legislation calling for enhanced security and accountability, it’s a time to change and be prepared for compliance, but organizations can also use this time to innovate and drive a competitive advantage.

Test Drive Protect-X® Here

For more information on CSP solutions visit www.cspsecurity.com

For complimentary access to CSP-Wiki®, an extensive repository of NonStop security knowledge and best practices, please visit wiki.cspsecurity.com

We Built the Wiki for NonStop Security ®

Regards,

The CSP Team                 

+1(905) 568 – 8900