What is cloud security? Cloud security means safeguarding data or systems stored or run on remote servers accessible via the internet. It covers all data security activities, such as policies and procedures, cloud antivirus solutions, and authentication controls like password protection.
This article walks you through understanding what cloud security is by answering the following questions:
- What Is Cloud Computing Security?
- What Are Cloud Security Threats?
- What Is Infrastructure Security in Cloud Computing?
- What Is Cloud Workload Security?
- What Is Data Security in Cloud Computing?
These fundamental details help you make an informed decision regarding the cloud security services you need.
What Is Cloud Computing Security?
Cloud computing security is another term for cloud security. It is the practice of protecting cloud environments, applications, data, and information from unauthorized use or access, DDOS attacks, hackers, viruses, and other threats.
The following are the three main types of cloud computing services:
- Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a pay-as-you-go cloud computing service that offers computing, storage, and networking on demand.
- Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software over the internet for application development.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a means of delivering applications over the Internet rather than installing and maintaining software on your computer.
Cloud computing stores and processes data and applications in data centers that operate via the internet. The following are the four main types of cloud computing:
- Private cloud – the infrastructure is built for one user.
- Public cloud – where computing resources are owned and operated by a provider that shares these with multiple clients.
- Hybrid cloud – when applications run in a combination of different environments.
- Multicloud – the use of multiple cloud computing services from different vendors in a single architecture.
The global public cloud computing market alone could reach $495 billion in 2022. That includes public cloud business processes, platform, infrastructure, software, management, security, and advertising.
Indeed, people are leveraging the advantages of cloud computing for flexible and money-saving operations despite security threats like data breaches. As such, cloud computing security is ever so vital.
However, note that cloud security refers to security for cloud environments, whereas cloud-based security refers to third-party cloud service solutions or SaaS-delivered solutions in the cloud.
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What Is Data Security in Cloud Computing?
Data Security in cloud computing means protecting digital data from unauthorized access.
Data in the cloud face both traditional and non-traditional threats. In reducing these threats, security controls rely on the CIA Triad, which serves as a basis for security systems to find vulnerabilities.
CIA stands for:
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Access controllability
What Is Infrastructure Security in Cloud Computing?
Infrastructure security is the protection of computers and networking systems. In the context of cloud computing, it means protecting cloud resources, both hardware, and software.
Infrastructure security encompasses both cyberattacks and natural disasters. It also addresses how an organization recovers from an attack or other disruption. The goal is to improve safety and reduce downtime, customer attrition, brand and reputation damage, and compliance expenses.
What Is Cloud Workload Security?
Cloud workload security is protecting the containers, functions, or machines—the cloud workload—that hold an application’s data and network resources.
Two components make up cloud workload security.
- The Application contains business logic, so its security is crucial. Prevention of its exploitation requires application development to include security testing and runtime protection with WAAP.
- App technology or the underlying technology that makes up the application. Note that each application’s workload must be configured and safeguarded.
Protecting cloud workloads from attack requires addressing both components. Focusing on particular tasks in isolation can introduce weaknesses by overlooking business logic. If the focus is on the program and the related business logic, difficulties with workloads implementation and integration could leave the application vulnerable.
Why Is Cloud Security Important?
Cloud security is vital because not everything is guaranteed safe in the modern digital age. It assists users in protecting their online data in cloud-based server infrastructure. Without cloud security, risks of malware infections or data removal could rise.
Here are some cloud security benefits:
- Improved DDoS Protection.
- Reduced cost of expenses.
- Increased reliability and availability.
- Cloud-based support & protection.
What Are Cloud Security Threats?
Cloud security threats are opportunities for accidental and malicious data leaks to unauthorized third parties who could gain access to control your cloud server. Such incidents could occur as data flow between organizations and cloud service providers.
The following are examples of common cloud security threats:
- Misconfiguration is a product of poor or insecure security controls. It can result from poorly documented configuration changes, default settings, or technical issues with any endpoint component.
- Denial of service attack is a cyberattack in which a hacker prevents you from gaining access to a machine or network by disrupting the service of a host connected to it.
- Unauthorized access is when a person gains entry into a computer network, system, and application without permission.
- Insecure Interfaces or APIs can be exploited, allowing attackers to compromise or steal data.
- Hijacking of accounts is when attackers steal security credentials and eavesdrop on transactions. They manipulate data, insert false information, and redirect clients.
- External data sharing is when someone distributes data with multiple people across the Internet.
- Malicious insiders are individuals who intentionally and maliciously abuse security credentials to steal information.
- Cyber attackers are hackers who attempt to steal, expose, alter, disable, destroy, or sell personal data through unauthorized access to computer systems.
These threats lead to cyber crimes. In 2021 alone, the U.S. Internet Crime Complaint Center received 324 thousand reports of phishing and similar fraud. Also, there were nearly 52,000 reports of personal data breaches.
Ultimately, cloud security solutions are vital to protect your data.
What Are Cloud Security Solutions?
Cloud security solutions are systems deployed to protect operations running in private and public cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
The following are the types of cloud security solutions:
- Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB). Cloud-based software that monitors all activities and enforces security policies onto cloud applications.
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST). A security testing software that reviews the software’s source code to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). This technology is used to deliver wide area networks and security controls to the source of a connection rather than a data center.
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). This IT security tool is designed to identify misconfigurations while monitoring gaps in security policy reinforcement.
- Cloud Workflow Protection Platforms (CWPP). A security solution that offers and protects unified cloud workloads across multiple providers.
- Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM). Specializes in identity-centric SaaS solutions in managing cloud access risks via admin-time controls for hybrid and multi-cloud IaaS.
Final Word
Even the strongest data encryption can be breached when data protection protocols are inadequate. Data protection involves security responsibilities that must be carried out comprehensively.
As such, getting the help of professionals would be your best bet to set up your cloud environment and infrastructure.
Attentus Tech can do the job for you. We make education a main priority. Expect us to listen to your needs and goals. Attentus will collaborate with you to design solutions that match your requirements.
