Cloud Security

Security in Cloud

How Security Gets Integrated in Cloud Computing

Security has always been an important concern in cloud computing. With data in the cloud being transferred constantly between clients and servers, lax security practices can create major risks. Find out more about how security gets integrated in cloud computing.

Security in Cloud – Encryption

Cloud service providers usually use some form of encryption to ensure that the data that passes between their servers and cloud users cannot be intercepted by hackers.

But additional encryption can also be implemented on the client’s end. With this extra encryption activated, data gets encrypted before it leaves the cloud user’s device. This type of encryption is often mandatory by law for financial institutions or the healthcare industry.

Security in Cloud – Firewalls

Firewalls add another layer of defense to cloud computing. Cloud service providers use firewalls to ensure that only authorized connections can connect to their servers.

Cloud users can implement something similar on their end. In fact, many businesses and organizations use advanced firewalls to filter URLs, detect malware, and restrict access. Virtual firewalls can protect all devices, not just computers in the office.

Security in Cloud – Two-Step Authentication

Even the best passwords can be hacked. Cloud service providers know this and have implemented two-step authentication to address the issue.

With two-step authentication, users can access a cloud service only after they enter a password and an additional verifier. The additional verifier can be a secret question or a randomly generated code.

By adding a second layer of security to cloud logins, two-step authentication makes the cloud safer for everyone.

security-in-cloudSecurity in Cloud – Identity Management

Identity management systems help enterprises to ensure that only authorized staff can access information. This form of security in the cloud often involves biometric identification that uses physical characteristics. These characteristics may include face recognition, finger recognition, speaker identification, or a combination of these.

Security in Cloud – System and Network Monitoring

A form of preventive security, system and network monitoring uses advanced threat detection systems to identify viruses, malware, and other threats before they can affect a system.

All cloud computing providers use some form of system and network monitoring. Businesses can also implement this type of security measure to ensure that their front-end cloud computing interface remains safe from threats.

Advanced security suites often offer system and network monitoring components as a part of their complete enterprise security solutions.

System Backups

Regular system backups can be considered another form of cloud computing security. This security measure differs from the others mentioned so far in that it can be used after a security incident to quickly restore the system to its state.

Most cloud computing services save data in real-time and automatically back it up, facilitating a system restore in case of an emergency. What is more, backups can be stored in the cloud in different locations, so that even if one data center experiences a disruption, the data can still be restored.

The Bottom Line

In addition to physical security measures for securing cloud data centers and other infrastructure, cloud service providers and businesses can implement a variety of other security layers.

Firewalls, two-factor authentication, network monitoring, encryption, and identity management, all combine to increase the security of cloud systems. With so many measures in place, using the cloud is safer now than it has ever been.

Cloud Security from Top Platforms

  • Google Cloud – Google Cloud’s security model, world-scale infrastructure, and unique capability to innovate will help keep your organization secure and compliant.
  • AWS Cloud Security – gain the control and confidence you need to securely run your business with the most flexible and secure cloud computing environment available today.
  • Microsoft Cloud Azure – Reduce costs and complexity with a highly secure cloud foundation managed by Microsoft.

Edward Kuhn

Edward Kuhn is a software architect who leads technical teams across a diverse range of projects using various platforms for Insurance, Medical and Manufacturing Industries.

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button