In a hybrid environment, what should be considered the primary security perimeter?

In a hybrid environment, identity is considered the primary security perimeter because it is central to how users access resources across both on-premises and cloud environments. As organizations increasingly adopt hybrid solutions, managing identities securely becomes paramount.

With user identities acting as the point of control and trust, implementing robust identity and access management practices helps ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive resources. This means utilizing tools and strategies such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Conditional Access policies, and identity protection systems to verify and manage who can interact with both cloud and on-premises assets.

Focusing on identity helps organizations align their security posture with modern threats, as attackers increasingly target user credentials to gain unauthorized access. By establishing a strong identity management framework, organizations can protect themselves from potential breaches more effectively than by relying solely on traditional perimeter defenses, such as firewalls or security software.

In contrast, while the cloud, firewalls, and tools like Microsoft Defender for Cloud play important roles in the overall security architecture, they are often considered components that support and reinforce identity management rather than replacing its critical importance in defining the security perimeter in a hybrid environment.