Multicloud adoption has gained momentum in recent years. About 98% of enterprises use or plan to adopt multicloud in 2023, according to a report from Oracle.. While adopting multicloud offers enterprises a great deal of flexibility, scalability and cost efficiency, it also exposes them to a broader attack surface, thus brewing a lot of security concerns.

To address these security concerns, multicloud security solutions are designed to ensure the security of data, applications and other workloads flying through the nodes of distributed cloud environments. Here, we take a look at the best seven multicloud security solutions providers in 2023.

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See: Smart persons guide to multiclouds

Top multicloud security vendors comparison table

Below is a comparison table that highlights some of the notable features available in each multicloud security provider.

Identity and access managementCompliance managementUnified management paneAutomatic alertingWeb application firewall
AWSYesYesNoYesYes
Microsoft Defender for CloudYesYesYesYesYes
Google Cloud PlatformYesYesNoYesYes
CloudflareYesYesYesYesYes
Oracle CloudYesYesYesYesYes
IBM CloudYesYesYesYesYes
Check PointYesYesYesYesYes

See: Multicloud architecture, explained

Top multicloud security vendors

There are several multicloud security solutions available in the market today, and each solution provides a unique set of features and capabilities. When choosing providers, consider security governance and compliance regulations, service level agreements and data residency requirements.

Amazon Web Services: Best for versatility

The AWS logo.
Image: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services is one of the most popular cloud platforms on the market because of its versatility and affordability. The platform can be used to host websites, store data, process applications and more. The platform offers one of the largest ecosystems of security partners and solutions to its users.

Because AWS is so popular, businesses will likely need some level of AWS security solutions. AWS has a good reputation for security solutions for networks and applications as well as data and compliance. These include services like AWS Web Application Firewall, AWS Secrets Manager, AWS Audit Manager and AWS Shield.

In addition to its power and versatility, AWS offers a low cost per gigabyte, making it more affordable than other options like colocation facilities or private clouds and data centers.

Pricing

Besides the free tier option that offers customers a limited version of AWS cloud services, the platform operates a consumption-based pricing model that bills customers based on the number of services they consume on their cloud platform. There is also an opportunity to get a price quote for the number of services users intend to use and a pricing calculator that gives estimated pricing for users.

Features

  • Identity and access management.
  • Threat detection and continuous monitoring.
  • EventBridge for automated events response.
  • Automated alerting with GuardDuty.
  • Infrastructure protection support.

Pros

  • Threat detection and alerting mechanisms can be automated.
  • One of the broadest ecosystems of cloud security partners.
  • Robust identity management and permissions.
  • Free tier for bot and fraud control.

Cons

  • Can be complex for beginners.
  • Pricing can be complicated.

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Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Best for centralized management

Microsoft logo.
Image: Microsoft

Microsoft Defender for Cloud helps enterprises identify, mitigate security risks, and strengthen security posture across multicloud and hybrid environments. With Microsoft Defender for Cloud, customers can gain a holistic view of their security posture across Azure and Google Cloud, AWS and hybrid clouds.

Azure also features automatic scaling, disaster recovery and security redundancy. The platform is a popular choice for companies that need to increase their agility and efficiency when it comes to deploying applications. Azure is popular for use cases that involve integrating Microsoft tools and products such as Office 365, SharePoint and Microsoft Teams.

Pricing

Apart from the 30-day free trial, Defender for Cloud offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model under different usage plans:

  • Cloud Security Posture Management plan: The pricing structure is determined by the scale of the cloud, where charges are calculated solely based on the number of servers, storage accounts and databases.
  • Cloud Workload Protection plan: This plan contains different services and is charged per the services consumed.

There is also an additional data charge for virtual machines only for DevOps security.

For accurate pricing, reach out to the Microsoft sales team.

Features

  • Real-time security access and risk prioritization.
  • Integrated extended detection and response (XDR) across multicloud workloads.
  • Centralized insights across multipipeline and multicloud DevOps.
  • Built-in policies and prioritized recommendations for quality multicloud compliance.

Pros

  • Supports the modernization of existing infrastructures.
  • Visibility into multicloud environment from a unified management lens.
  • Insights across multipipeline and multicloud DevOps for better application security.
  • Extensive workload security that cuts across virtual machines (VMs), containers, databases, storage, app services and more.

Cons

  • Complicated pricing model.
  • DevOps security is only free during preview.

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Google Cloud Platform: Best for standard compliance

The Google Cloud logo.
Image: Google Cloud

Google Cloud Platform provides businesses with a suite of cloud-based services that make it easy to create, deploy and manage applications in the cloud.

GCP multicloud security services include Security Foundation for providing recommendations to achieve good security posture, Risk and compliance as code for automating the compliance function for agile workloads, Web App and API Protection for protecting applications and application programming interfaces against threats and fraud and security and resilience framework for protection against adverse cyber events.

Pricing

Google Cloud Plan operates the pay-as-you-go pricing structure and offers a 30-day free trial.

For accurate pricing, contact the Google Cloud team.

Features

  • Risk and compliance as code.
  • Threat identification with advanced rules engine.
  • Security and resilience framework.
  • Web App and API Protection.
  • Offers Autonomic Security Operations.
  • BigQuery Omni for BigQuery analytics on data stored across multiple clouds.

Pros

  • Analytic engine for visualizing and analyzing security incidents.
  • Users can automate security enforcement along the supply chain.
  • The RCaC system makes it easy to determine noncompliance issues.
  • Users can control their spending with budget and spending cap alerts with free cost management tools.

Cons

Pricing is not transparent enough.

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Cloudflare: Best for integration-based services

CloudFlare logo.
Image: CloudFlare

Cloudflare is one of the top providers of multicloud security solutions, offering various products to help businesses protect their data across different platforms. Cloudflare’s unified control plane provides organizations with a scalable solution, enabling the enforcement of consistent security policies and integration of security and performance across multiple clouds

Cloudflare is also popular for offering seamless integration with other popular cloud service providers such as IBM, GCP, AWS and Azure. Their global network is present in more than 200 cities in over 100 countries around the world.

The platform also offers tools such as distributed denial of service mitigation, website firewalls and content delivery networks. By protecting data across multiple platforms, businesses can avoid exposure to data breaches that may occur on one platform.

Pricing

Cloudflare offers a free version plus three other plans:

  • Pro: Starts at $20 per month, billed annually.
  • Business: Starts at $200 per month, billed annually.
  • Enterprise: Contact the vendor for a quote.

Features

  • Unified control plane.
  • Integration with other popular cloud providers such as IBM and GCP.
  • Massive network scale.
  • Supports consistent security policy enforcement across all cloud deployments.

Pros

  • Offers free trial.
  • There’s a free version.
  • Availability of 24/7 enterprise support.
  • Pricing is transparent.

Cons

  • The free plan is feature-drained and might require paid add-ons for users to make the most out of it.

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Oracle: Best for SaaS integration

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Image: Oracle

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers a variety of security products and services to help businesses protect their data across multiple clouds. OCI’s multicloud services enable enterprises to modernize their databases and applications with features such as Real Application Clusters and Autonomous Database. The solution also integrates with other cloud services from Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform.

Oracle’s multicloud architectural framework offers a range of services, including multicloud database services for database and applications modernization, layered security strategy for IAM and data security services and an ability to connect to workload from anywhere.

Pricing

OCI services are priced the same for all global regions and users pay according to what they consume. Users can also use the estimate calculator to determine the cost of the services they choose.

For accurate pricing, contact Oracle for a quote.

Features

  • Real-time security event monitoring and logging capabilities.
  • Automated resource provisioning across multiple clouds.
  • 40-plus global cloud regions.
  • Supports layered security strategy for IAM and data security services.

Pros

  • Offers flexibility in choosing cloud providers.
  • Optimizes resource utilization.
  • OCI’s 40-plus global cloud regions for data residency compliance.
  • Simplified workload migration between cloud providers.

Cons

  • Extensive range of services may introduce complexity in management.

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IBM: Best multicloud free-tier provider

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Image: IBM

IBM is one of the leading providers of multicloud security solutions, which means they can help businesses secure their data no matter where it’s stored. IBM’s cloud-based security solutions, which provide real-time protection against cyberattacks, are an excellent choice for businesses seeking a straightforward solution to protect their data.

IBM offers security services for application security, data security, threat management and identity and access management. These services work together to provide visibility and control in maintaining a strong security profile. IBM’s experience in IT and cybersecurity makes it an ideal provider for companies that need comprehensive security coverage regardless of where their data resides.

Pricing

IBM Cloud offers a 30-day free trial window for potential customers to check their products.

Pricing comes as pay-as-you-go, reserved instances with a 1–3 year commitment and a subscription model.

Potential users can get accurate pricing for their services by contacting IBM Cloud.

Features

  • Automated compliance.
  • Centralized visibility across multicloud.
  • Real-time recommendation capability.
  • Integrates with leading cloud security providers such as AWS, Azure and GCP.

Pros

  • Offers real-time and contextualized recommendations to reduce false positives.
  • Supports unified visibility across distributed cloud environments.
  • Supports automated compliance to reduce the hassles of meeting cloud compliance.
  • Offers a free tier with over 40 services.

Cons

  • Documentation may be complex for some users.
  • Although pricing is flexible, it’s still complicated.

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Check Point: Best for automated security across multicloud

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Image: Check Point

Check Point, another top cloud security provider, offers comprehensive security features for organizations operating in complex cloud environments. The company’s CloudGuard platform offers advanced threat prevention, network security and workload protection across multiple cloud providers.

With features like cloud-native security posture management and automated security orchestration, Check Point enables organizations to achieve visibility and control over their multicloud deployments. The platform’s comprehensive approach to security, coupled with its integration capabilities with major cloud platforms, positions Check Point as a strong contender in the multicloud security market.

Pricing

Check Point offers a free demo. Customers need to contact sales for pricing details.

Features

  • CloudGuard platform for multicloud security.
  • Advanced threat prevention capabilities.
  • Network security features.
  • Workload protection across multiple cloud providers.
  • Automated security orchestration.

Pros

  • Comprehensive approach to securing multicloud environments.
  • Free demo.
  • Integration capabilities with major cloud platforms.
  • Visibility and control over multicloud deployments.
  • Security operations through automated orchestration is streamlined.

Cons

  • Specific pricing information isn’t readily available on the official site.
  • Limited information about specific features and functionalities.

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What is multicloud security?

Multicloud security enables customers to use various types of clouds or hyperscalers for secure, reliable and cost-effective storage, access and retrieval of their data, and applications.

These capabilities ensure that if one cloud fails or experiences an outage, then the data, applications and services can be accessed from alternative cloud providers with ease and without compromising data security and quality of service. As a result, businesses can easily keep their data secure irrespective of what cloud vendor they’re using at any given time.

Multicloud security also lets businesses switch between different clouds without adversely affecting application uptime, data governance and compliance requirements. Multicloud security is governed by Cloud Security Standards and Control Frameworks that include General Data Protection Regulation, System and Organization Controls Reporting and the PCI Data Security Standard.

See: Multicloud migration, a step-by-step guide

What are the best practices for multicloud security?

Adopting a multicloud strategy offers a lot of benefits, but that’s only when it’s done correctly. So, here are some best practices for better guidance.

Use secure passwords

A strong password is essential for protecting data against unauthorized access. Organizations should enforce policies that ensure unique passwords for each account and secure storage. In conjunction with the use of multifactor authentication, this prevents bad actors from gaining unauthorized access.

Encrypt files

Sensitive information needs to be kept confidential and encrypted before it’s uploaded to the cloud. This helps protect data from prying eyes online, and anyone that tries to retrieve these files without the right encryption keys won’t be successful.

Monitor the health of cloud servers

Keeping an eye on the status of organizations’ cloud servers regularly helps detect security issues early and resolve them before they become bigger problems. This prevents costly outages and breaches of service-level agreements.

Implementing security into DevOps

By integrating security into the software development process, organizations can ensure that their applications are built with security in mind from the start. This helps prevent vulnerabilities from being introduced during coding and testing and streamlines the process of fixing them before they become production issues. Multicloud security is important for businesses because it helps protect data across different platforms.

See: What is multicloud networking?

The most common pitfalls of multicloud security

While multicloud security offers numerous advantages, there are common pitfalls and challenges that organizations may encounter. Here are some of the most prevalent pitfalls of multicloud security.

Not knowing where your data resides

Data may be distributed across multiple clouds without the owner’s knowledge. This makes it difficult to keep track of and manage, increasing the chances of sensitive data being leaked or falling into the wrong hands.

Lack of visibility and control

Organizations often lack visibility and control over their data when it’s stored in the cloud. This can lead to data being mishandled or misused without the owner’s knowledge.

Not having a plan for data loss

Data loss can occur for various reasons, such as human error, hardware failure or malicious attacks. Without a plan in place for how to deal with this, organizations can find themselves in a difficult situation.

Not having trained staff

Many organizations don’t have the necessary personnel to properly manage their cloud infrastructure. This can lead to problems such as data being stored in insecure locations or not being properly backed up.

How do I choose the best multicloud security solution provider for my business?

Selecting the right multicloud security solution provider is critical for businesses aiming to protect their data and applications across diverse cloud platforms. Here are some essential considerations to help you choose the best multicloud security solution provider for your business.

Determine your cloud security needs

Begin by evaluating your organization’s security requirements and objectives. Consider factors such as the sensitivity of your data, compliance regulations, and the types of applications you have deployed across multiple cloud providers. Determine the level of security you need, including threat detection, prevention, data encryption, access controls and compliance management. Understanding your specific security needs will guide you in selecting a provider with the right capabilities.

Consider track record

Look for a multicloud security solution provider with a strong track record and expertise in securing complex cloud environments. Assess their experience in the industry, the number of years they have been providing multicloud security solutions and their reputation among customers. Check if they have a record of making it to the cloud security provider rankings on reputable review companies like Forrester and Gartner. Consider their partnerships and certifications with major cloud service providers as it indicates their commitment to delivering effective security solutions and compliance.

Check for security offerings

Ensure that the provider offers a comprehensive suite of security solutions tailored for multicloud environments. Look for features like network security, workload protection, data loss prevention, identity and access management, threat intelligence and compliance management. The provider should have solutions that are compatible with major cloud platforms in order to facilitate seamless integration and centralized management.

Consider visibility and control

Choose a provider that offers robust visibility and control over your multicloud environment. Consider solutions that provide a unified dashboard or management console that can monitor security events, manage policies, and gain insights across multiple cloud platforms. The ability to enforce consistent security policies and controls throughout your multicloud infrastructure is crucial if you want fewer headaches in your multicloud journey.

Scalability and flexibility

Consider your business’s growth and scalability requirements when selecting a multicloud security solution provider. Ensure their solutions can scale with your organization’s evolving needs and accommodate future cloud deployments. Flexibility is also crucial, as it allows you to choose and integrate different cloud platforms without compromising security.

Methodology

We gathered information from official websites, product documentation, case studies and independent assessments to compile the list of top multicloud security solution providers. Industry reports, market analyses and technology publications were also reviewed to identify leading players in the multicloud security domain. We shortlisted and evaluated providers based on popularity, features, collaboration among other cloud providers and customer feedback.

Bottom line

Selecting the best multicloud security solution provider for your business requires a thorough understanding of your security and business needs. Although we have done the hard part by providing the list of the top multicloud security solution providers, you should take the time to research and compare the providers to see how each matches your business and security requirements. By making an informed decision, you can ensure your multicloud environment remains secure, protected and compliant with industry standards for cloud security and governance.

Read next: What is cloud security? Fundamental guide