Securing Hybrid Cloud: Why On-Premises Coverage is Vital in CNAPPs

Introduction

Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) have become pivotal in securing cloud environments. However, a pressing issue remains: are these platforms adequately addressing the needs of on-premises cloud and hybrid workloads? Since critical systems often operate in these environments, enhancing CNAPPs to include these domains is essential for comprehensive security solutions.

The Current State of CNAPPs

Originally conceived for cloud-native ecosystems and a term coined by Gartner, Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) have emerged as key players in securing public cloud environments and containerized applications. They have excelled in providing comprehensive security for services hosted on the Big Three public cloud platforms AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, particularly in scenarios involving large-scale, distributed container orchestration systems like Kubernetes.

In the retail industry, for example, CNAPPs have been instrumental in securing e-commerce platforms that rely heavily on public cloud services for scalability and performance. They offer real-time monitoring and protection against threats in these highly dynamic environments, safeguarding customer data and transactional integrity.

However, when it comes to on-premises cloud infrastructures, the effectiveness of CNAPPs is not as well-defined. This uncertainty arises due to the distinct nature of on-premises cloud environments, which often combine traditional data center characteristics with cloud-like agility. For example, in the financial sector, where on-premises clouds are prevalent for regulatory and privacy reasons, the integration of CNAPPs poses challenges. These environments may use bespoke configurations and proprietary technologies that are not as straightforward for CNAPPs to monitor and protect as their public cloud counterparts.

Moreover, hybrid cloud environments, which blend on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services, further complicate this landscape. A notable example can be seen in the healthcare sector, where patient data might be stored on-premises due to stringent compliance requirements, while computational and analytical workloads are processed in the cloud. In such settings, ensuring a seamless and secure flow of data between on-premises and public cloud components while maintaining compliance with health data regulations like HIPAA becomes a significant challenge for CNAPPs.

This gap in the capability of CNAPPs to effectively secure on-premises cloud and hybrid environments is a pressing issue. These environments are critical for hosting vital operations and sensitive data across various industries, and the need for robust security solutions that can navigate their unique complexities is imperative. As organizations continue to rely on a mix of cloud and on-premises infrastructure, the demand for CNAPPs that can operate effectively across this diverse landscape is increasing.

The On-Premises and Hybrid Challenge

On-premises cloud environments present distinct challenges for CNAPPs and require a nuanced understanding of specific technical complexities. These challenges include complex configuration management, compliance demands, seamless security integration across hybrid environments, and performance optimization. Here, we deep dive into these challenges:

• Complex Configuration Management and Compliance in On-Premises Cloud Environments
  On-premises cloud setups often involve custom configurations, from network setups to specialized virtual machine (VM) configurations and unique security protocols. CNAPPs need to manage and maintain compliance across these diverse configurations effectively.
  
  Example: Consider an organization hosting a range of applications, from legacy systems to modern microservices, in an on-premises cloud. Each system may have different security requirements and configurations. CNAPPs must be able to adapt dynamically, offering compliance checks and security policies that align with each unique setup. This includes scanning for vulnerabilities in containerized applications and traditional VM-based setups, applying security patches without disrupting operations. Sophisticated scanning algorithms and deep integration with on-premises cloud management tools are essential.
  
  
• Seamless Security Integration Across Hybrid Cloud Environments
  In hybrid cloud environments, the integration of security measures across on-premises and public cloud components is critical. Consistent security policies and data protection – as workloads move between these environments – pose technical challenges, particularly regarding network security and data encryption.
  
  Example: An organization uses on-premises cloud for sensitive data storage and a public cloud for computational tasks. Secure data transfer between these environments is essential. CNAPPs must manage encryption and network security policies consistently. This includes real-time monitoring and enforcing encryption standards like TLS for data in transit. Synchronizing network security policies, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, between on-premises and public cloud environments is challenging due to differing security models and configurations.

CNAPPs addressing these challenges must be able to exhibit adaptability, deep integration capabilities with diverse cloud environments, and a comprehensive understanding of the unique security and compliance requirements of on-premises cloud and hybrid setups. This deep-dive approach is critical for CNAPPs to be more than surface-level security solutions and handle the intricate technical complexities of modern IT infrastructures effectively.

Bridging the Security Gap

Addressing the challenges presented by on-premises cloud and hybrid environments requires a significant CNAPP evolution. This evolution encompasses several key areas:

• Focusing on Diverse Environments
  CNAPPs must extend their capabilities beyond traditional cloud-native environments to effectively manage and secure on-premises cloud infrastructures. This means adapting to the unique configurations and operational models that these environments often exhibit. For example, in the manufacturing industry, where on-premises clouds are frequently used to control and monitor production lines. These systems can have bespoke configurations that are atypical in public clouds. CNAPPs must evolve to understand these unique setups, ensuring that they can provide the same level of security monitoring and threat detection as they do in cloud-native environments.
  

• Leveraging Advanced Technologies
  The use of AI and machine learning can significantly enhance the adaptability and effectiveness of CNAPPs. These technologies can help in predicting and identifying new threats, automating security responses, and providing more proactive security measures. A practical application can be seen in the banking sector, where AI-enhanced CNAPPs could analyze patterns of network traffic to detect anomalies that might indicate a cyberattack, such as a data breach or a DDoS attack, even in the more complex network landscapes of on-premises cloud environments.
  

• Collaborating with Industry Partners for Standardization
  Collaborating with industry partners, including cloud service providers and security experts, is crucial for establishing standardized best practices for securing on-premises cloud and hybrid environments. This collaboration can lead to the development of more robust and universally applicable security protocols. An example of this is in the telecommunications industry, where collaboration between CNAPP vendors and telecommunications companies could lead to the development of standardized security protocols for on-premises cloud infrastructures used in telecommunications networks. Such standardization would ensure a more consistent and reliable security posture across the industry.
  

• Establishing Best Practices
  Alongside standardization, there's a need for establishing and disseminating best practices specifically tailored to on-premises cloud and hybrid environments. These practices would guide organizations in implementing and managing CNAPPs effectively. In the energy sector, for instance, best practices could help companies secure their on-premises cloud infrastructures used for managing and distributing energy resources. This would be crucial in ensuring the security and reliability of critical energy infrastructure. By focusing on these areas, CNAPPs can bridge the current security gap, offering robust solutions that cater to the unique demands of on-premises cloud and hybrid environments across various industries. This evolution is not just about expanding coverage but about creating a more integrated, intelligent, and responsive security framework capable of addressing the complex cybersecurity challenges of today's diverse IT landscapes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, evolving CNAPPs to include on-premises cloud and hybrid workloads is imperative in the cybersecurity landscape. This evolution is about creating an integrated, intelligent, and responsive security framework. As organizations continue to navigate digital transformation, the role of CNAPPs becomes increasingly central. Future-proofing these platforms ensures a more secure and resilient digital world for all.

Recently, Runecast earned acclaim from industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan for our on-premises CNAPP solution:

“Runecast’s on-prem CNAPP runs in an entirely air-gapped environment with offline updates, which is a highly attractive proposition and an answer for companies operating in highly regulated industries, such as government, defense, banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and service providers. This is in contrast to its competitors who mainly offer CNAPP solutions with a SaaS-based deployment (particularly those without physical computing facilities in Europe) which makes it difficult for customers to comply with regulations like GDPR.”
‍
Anh Tien Vu, Frost & Sullivan, Industry Principal, Global Cybersecurity Practice

Read more: Frost & Sullivan’s 2023 New Product Innovation Award