Best practices for multi-cloud governance and compliance

Introduction to multi-cloud governance and compliance

Managing multiple cloud environments without a solid governance plan is like steering a ship ahead without a map. It is a risky endeavour and can lead to wasted money and messy operations. 

This article dives into how to handle multi-cloud governance and compliance. We'll cover the top seven best practices for Multi-Cloud compliance along with the governance that reduces risks and makes businesses run smoother and safer.

Understanding governance and compliance in multi-cloud environments

Multi-cloud governance is critical for orchestrating a cohesive strategy across various cloud platforms. It involves creating standardised policies and procedures to manage IT resources effectively, ensure data security, and streamline operations. On the other hand, Multi-Cloud Compliance requires adhering to legal and regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions, a complex but crucial task, particularly as businesses grow internationally.

The IBM Cost of Data Breach Report reveals a concerning trend where 45% of breaches reported experiencing cloud data breaches in 2023. These data breaches exposed eight million records globally. These statistics are a stark reminder of the importance of robust governance structures to protect sensitive data and maintain stakeholder trust. Compliance adds another layer of complexity, requiring adherence to a broad spectrum of international legal and regulatory standards.

The state of multi-cloud adoption

The adoption of multi-cloud strategies has skyrocketed over the years, with 87% of organisations now relying on two or more cloud providers. This expansion brings unprecedented flexibility but also introduces significant challenges:

• Centralised monitoring: The dispersed nature of multi-cloud resources necessitates robust monitoring to prevent resource wastage and inefficiencies, which currently account for 30% of cloud spending. 
• Shadow IT: The proliferation of unauthorised applications poses severe security risks, with 69% of IT professionals concerned about unsanctioned SaaS apps. 

Key considerations for multi-cloud management

If you want to manage multiple cloud environments effectively, consider enhancing your key areas and updating your strategies. The two major areas you must consider for multi-cloud management are as follows:

• Automatic management: Taking help from automation tools can make life a lot easier by handling updates and management tasks across various cloud platforms. The automated tasks minimise human errors and keep your systems updated and secure without you having to lift a finger.

• Enhanced security: Implementing strong security measures is a must. Take Microsoft Defender for Cloud, for example. It offers solid protection for your cloud-based servers and databases, shielding them from the latest cybersecurity threats. This kind of comprehensive security is essential to keep your data safe and your peace of mind intact.

Best practices for multi-cloud governance and compliance

Effectively managing a multi-cloud environment requires a sophisticated blend of strategic planning and technical prowess. Here’s how to refine your approach to ensure dynamic and secure multi-cloud management:

1. Standardise policies across multiple clouds

Implementing uniform policies across platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is crucial. This standardisation simplifies operations and enhances security. Use Multi-Cloud Policy Management as code frameworks to automate cloud compliance and governance. This will be essential to ensure every cloud deployment aligns with your organisational standards and regulatory requirements. Uniform policies reduce complexity and minimise the risk of compliance breaches, making your multi-cloud environment easier to manage and more secure.

2. Centralise visibility with cloud management platforms

Employ comprehensive cloud management platforms to consolidate monitoring and management across your environments. These platforms improve operational visibility by integrating data from various clouds into a single dashboard, enabling real-time analytics and proactive management. This centralised approach helps you quickly detect and address anomalies or inefficiencies. It helps in ensuring optimisation of cloud performance on definite intervals and maintaining reliability.

3. Optimise cloud expenditure with intelligent tools

You must use cost management tools that provide deep analytical insights into resource utilisation across different clouds. These tools help identify wasteful expenditures and optimise resource allocation by offering detailed forecasts and spending patterns. A granular approach to budgeting and forecasting is essential for controlling costs in a multi-cloud setup. This method enables you to make well-informed financial choices and optimise your investment in cloud resources.

For example, Tata Communications offers intelligent cost optimisation solutions that provide real-time visibility into your cloud spending across multiple providers, helping you identify waste and inefficiencies. You can set up automated policies to right-size resources, schedule shutdowns for non-production environments, and receive alerts for unusual spending patterns.

4. Leverage automation for scale and efficiency

Embrace automation by using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to manage complex cloud environments efficiently. Tools like Terraform or Ansible automate the provisioning and management of infrastructure, reducing manual efforts and minimising the risk of human error. Automation ensures consistency and accelerates deployments across different clouds, enhancing operational agility and reducing the potential for configuration errors.

5. Secure multi-cloud environments with robust security protocols

Enforce comprehensive security measures consistently across all your cloud platforms. Integrate advanced security solutions that provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, and automated response mechanisms. You should conduct regular vulnerability inspections and penetration testing to evaluate the resilience of your cloud environments against potential breaches. Utilising Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems will help to enhance visibility and promote proactive management of security events. 

6. Document multi-cloud operations and policies

Thorough documentation of multi-cloud operations and policies is essential for maintaining clarity and consistency across teams. Documenting cloud architectures, processes, and compliance measures ensures all team members have clear guidelines and can make informed decisions. This practice supports training, troubleshooting, and audits and helps maintain consistency in cloud operations and governance.

7. Implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans

Develop and enforce disaster recovery and business continuity plans that span all cloud environments. These plans should detail steps for data backup, system recovery, and maintaining operations during and after a disaster. If you have robust plans in place, it will ensure that your multi-cloud environment can withstand unexpected disruptions and maintain continuous service delivery. This, in turn, will safeguard your business operations and reputation.

Conclusion

Effective multi-cloud governance and compliance demand a strategic blend of uniform policies, robust security protocols, and efficient resource management. By centralising visibility through advanced platforms and leveraging automation tools like Terraform or Ansible, businesses can simplify operations, reduce human error, and ensure consistent deployments across cloud environments. Comprehensive documentation and disaster recovery plans further enhance resilience, ensuring uninterrupted business continuity.

For organisations aiming to streamline governance and optimise costs, Tata Communications’ Multi Cloud Solution is a game-changer. It offers a single pane of glass to oversee infrastructure across diverse clouds, addressing visibility challenges and enabling seamless management. This service ensures compliance, cost efficiency, and operational agility—all critical for multi-cloud success.
Empower your business to scale smarter with hybrid multi-cloud solutions. Experience unparalleled control and efficiency in managing your multi-cloud ecosystem with a free live demo today.