Zero Trust for Multi-Cloud

What does Zero Trust for Multi-Cloud mean? 

Zero trust for multi-cloud environments means extending the core principles of zero trust security to networks that span multiple cloud providers, ensuring that no user, device, or application is inherently trusted and that access is granted based on continuous verification and least privilege, regardless of location or network.  

Here’s a more detailed breakdown: 

What is Zero Trust? 

Zero trust is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It moves away from the traditional security model that assumes everything within a network perimeter is trustworthy. Instead, it requires continuous verification of every user and device attempting to access resources, regardless of their location inside or outside the network.  

Why Use Zero Trust for Multi-Cloud in Your Network? 

• Complexity: Multi-cloud environments introduce significant complexity in terms of managing security across different platforms and providers.  

• Increased Attack Surface: The distributed nature of multi-cloud setups expands the attack surface, making it crucial to secure access to resources across all platforms.  

• Dynamic Environments: Cloud environments are constantly changing, requiring a dynamic and adaptive security approach like zero trust.  

• Insider Threats: Zero trust helps mitigate the risk of insider threats by limiting access based on least privilege and continuous verification. 

  

What are the benefits of zero trust in multi-cloud environments? 

Key Principles of Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud 

• Identity-Based Access: Access is granted based on the identity of the user, device, or application, not just network location.  

• Least Privilege Access: Users are granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks, reducing the potential impact of a breach.  

• Continuous Verification: Every access request is authenticated and authorized, and access is continuously verified, regardless of whether the user is inside or outside the network perimeter.  

• Microsegmentation: The network is divided into smaller, isolated segments, limiting the potential damage from a breach.  

• Assume Breach: Security policies and incident response strategies are designed with the assumption that the network has already been compromised.  

• Unified Policy Engine: A single policy engine enforces zero trust rules across all cloud environments, ensuring consistent security.  
• Centralized Management: Centralized management and monitoring of security policies and access controls are essential for multi-cloud environments.  

Benefits of Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud 

• Enhanced Security Posture: Zero trust significantly strengthens security by eliminating implicit trust and enforcing strict access controls. 

• Reduced Risk of Breaches: By limiting access and continuously verifying users, zero trust reduces the likelihood and impact of breaches. 

• Improved Compliance: Zero trust helps organizations meet compliance requirements by providing a framework for secure access to resources. 

• Faster Cloud Adoption: Zero trust simplifies secure multi-cloud adoption by providing a consistent and reliable security model.  

In essence, zero trust in a multi-cloud context is about treating each cloud environment with the same level of scrutiny and control, ensuring consistent security policies and access controls across the entire infrastructure 

 

How do I secure a multi-cloud environment using zero trust principles?  

Securing a multi-cloud environment with zero trust principles requires a shift away from perimeter-based models and toward continuous, identity- and context-driven access control. The complexity of multi-cloud—spanning AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS—makes zero trust not just beneficial, but essential. 

Key Steps to Secure a Multi-Cloud Environment with Zero Trust 

1. Centralize Identity Across Clouds 

• Use a federated identity provider like Microsoft Entra ID and Okta to unify identities across AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS apps. 

• Enforce phishing-resistant MFA (e.g., FIDO2/WebAuthn) for all users and admins. 

2. Segment Access by Identity, Role, and Posture 

• Implement ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) instead of VPNs. 

• Define policies that evaluate: 

• User identity and role 

• Device trust and compliance 

• Resource sensitivity 

• Session behavior and geolocation 

3. Implement Cloud-Native NAC and Policy Enforcement 

• Use cloud-native network access control platforms like Portnox Cloud to evaluate device posture in real time. 

• Quarantine or restrict non-compliant or unmanaged devices. 

4. Apply Microsegmentation and Service Meshes 

• Use microsegmentation to isolate workloads across VPCs, containers, and accounts. 

• Deploy service meshes (like Istio or Linkerd) to control east-west traffic between cloud-native apps. 

5. Monitor Behavior and Automate Response 

• Use cloud-native XDR, SIEM, and UEBA tools (e.g., Microsoft Sentinel, Google Chronicle) to detect IOAs. 

• Automate remediation: quarantine compromised devices, revoke tokens, enforce re-authentication. 

 

What is the best way to achieve zero trust in multi-cloud networks, traditional or cloud-based solutions?

The best way to achieve zero trust in multi-cloud networks is to adopt a cloud-native security architecture, rather than relying on traditional on-premises solutions. 

Here’s why: 

“Never trust, always verify” principle

Zero trust in multi-cloud environments means that no user, device, workload, or network traffic is trusted by default, even if it’s inside a cloud provider’s infrastructure. Trust must be: 

• Explicitly verified 
• Continuously evaluated 
• Based on identity, context, and policy 

This is critical in multi-cloud setups where assets, users, and data are scattered across AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS platforms. 

Cloud-based solutions enable real zero trust

Cloud-native security platforms are built for distributed, identity-driven, and workload-aware architectures. They offer: 

Unified Identity & Access Control: 

• Federated identity across all clouds using providers like Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, or Ping Identity 

• Support for phishing-resistant MFA and conditional access policies 

Context-Aware Policy Enforcement 

• Real-time device posture and risk scoring 

• Adaptive access decisions based on user behavior, geolocation, app sensitivity, and session risk 

Network Microsegmentation & ZTNA 

• Replace VPNs with Zero Trust Network Access for granular, per-resource connectivity 

• Enforce least-privilege access to cloud-native and legacy applications 

Scalable, API-Driven Controls 

• Integrate seamlessly with IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS providers 

• Automate remediation actions like quarantining, re-authentication, or session isolation 

Centralized Monitoring & Response 

• Use cloud-native SIEM, UEBA, and XDR tools to detect Indicators of Attack (IOAs) in real time 

• Automate containment using SOAR or policy engines 

 

Where Traditional Security Solutions Fall Short 

Traditional (on-prem or appliance-based) tools like firewalls, VPNs, and static access controls struggle in cloud environments for several reasons: 

• Lack of dynamic visibility into cloud-native traffic (east-west, containerized, serverless) 

• Static policies that don’t adapt to shifting identities, locations, and device health 

• Delayed detection and manual responses to attacks 

• Siloed enforcement (e.g., different policies in each cloud) 

While they can offer partial coverage, traditional tools were built for a perimeter that no longer exists in the modern, cloud-based workforce. 

Final Verdict: Cloud-Based Solutions Are Better
Cloud-native zero trust is clearly better for multi-cloud security. It aligns with the dynamic, distributed nature of cloud workloads, supports real-time enforcement, and offers stronger visibility and scalability.