Many companies are moving to a hybrid cloud computing environment. And while there are several advantages to doing this, managing one comes with some challenges. In this article, we’ll talk about the best practices for managing a hybrid cloud environment efficiently.

What is a hybrid cloud?

A hybrid cloud is a combination of different cloud services, usually public and private clouds. Proprietary or standardized technology that allows application and data portability links these computing environments together. The benefits of using a hybrid cloud environment include:
 
●      Enhanced DevOps
Many businesses use DevOps to design, test, and deploy applications. By streamlining workflows, successful hybrid cloud management can help organizations improve their DevOps processes.
 
●      Better security
Effective hybrid cloud management provides an extra layer of security that helps businesses keep data safe from cyberthreats.

How to efficiently manage a hybrid cloud environment

Given the complex nature of hybrid cloud management, understanding security, governance, and end user requirements are integral to success. Here are tips for managing a hybrid cloud environment efficiently.

Understand security and governance requirements
Following security and governance requirements like the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's Baseline Cyber Security Controls and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation is necessary for putting together a hybrid cloud environment.
 
This is why IT administrators must strike a balance between security and performance. For example, compliance rules require data to be encrypted while at rest or in transit, but it also has to be accessible at all times to those who need it.
 
Know what’s being managed
If you don't have a clear understanding of the workloads and applications that will run on your hybrid cloud, then monitoring and managing your cloud effectively can be quite difficult. Before implementing a hybrid cloud environment, here are factors you need to consider:
 
●      Determine who owns which workloads in your company.
●      Prioritize workloads. When and how often do workloads run? What workloads need to run continuously, and which ones only need to run during a specific time?
●      Where will the workloads run — on the private or the public cloud?
●      Know how each workload contributes to your organization, and what can happen if they are compromised.
●      Who should be contacted if things go wrong, and what measures need to be followed?
 
Knowing these factors will not only help simplify hybrid cloud management, but they can also streamline response measures in the event of a disaster or downtime.

Understand your service level agreements (SLA)
By establishing SLAs with vendors, you can be sure that their services will always meet a certain standard. Additionally, it is important to regularly assess these agreements to make sure that they are still beneficial for your company and that you're getting the best possible service.
 
Common inclusions in SLAs are performance assessment intervals, response times to disruptions, and penalties for not meeting standards.

Use the right tools
Using multiple dashboards for each cloud environment can become overwhelming and inefficient. Find a tool that can gather data from all on-premises and public cloud systems and display them on one screen. This type of technology makes hybrid cloud management easier because you can see everything at once with a cohesive system for metrics and reporting.
 
A hybrid cloud environment can be difficult to manage without the help of an experienced cloud service provider. At SimplyClouds, we use only the best tools available to optimize your hybrid cloud environment. If you’re looking for more information about cloud migration, you can download this free eBook or you can get in touch with one of our cloud experts.