Why you should identify, respond to security threats in virtualized environments — IT expert

A prominent IT expert, Adebayo Samuel, has urged organisations to prioritise identifying and responding to security threats in virtualised environments, emphasising the growing risks as more businesses shift towards virtualisation.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Samuel pointed out that, while virtualisation offers benefits such as resource optimisation and scalability, it also necessitates robust security measures.

Samuel highlighted the increasing reliance on virtualised infrastructures in modern IT systems and the unique security challenges they present.

According to him, these challenges include, but are not limited to, vulnerabilities in hypervisors, inter-virtual machine (VM) attacks, and the potential for cascading failures in the event of a compromised host.

He recommended network segmentation as a critical measure, explaining that it prevents threats from spreading across VMs.

Samuel also advised the deployment of Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) tailored to virtualised environments, noting that these systems provide real-time alerts and automated responses to suspicious activities.

In terms of responding to identified security threats, Samuel stressed the importance of swift action, advocating for automated response mechanisms. He explained that automated tools can isolate compromised VMs, apply patches, or revert systems to safe states without manual intervention, significantly reducing damage and downtime.

Samuel further highlighted the need for regular security audits, incident response plans, and continuous monitoring to ensure that virtualised environments remain secure and resilient against evolving threats.

He said in part, “The hypervisor, which manages multiple VMs on a single host, can be a significant vulnerability if not properly secured. Regular patching, configuration hardening, and strict access controls are critical to ensure its security.”

Drawing from his vast experience, Samuel also underscored the importance of using advanced analytics tools to monitor virtual environments.

He highlighted that solutions like AWS Security Hub can significantly improve an organisation’s visibility into virtualised infrastructures as well as enable a real-time detection of anomalies and potential threats.

Samuel, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and an MBA from the University of Suffolk, emphasised that this proactive approach is crucial in strengthening the overall security posture of the virtual environment.

Samuel’s career, which spans roles in network engineering and cloud technology, has provided him with extensive hands-on experience in managing IT infrastructure.

He has contributed to major projects at organisations including Broadbased Communications, Onyx Data Systems, and Cloud Exchange West Africa, where his expertise played a pivotal role in enhancing security frameworks across various sectors.