Cloud security or cloud computing security includes a wide range of rules, applications and technological controls that are used to safeguard virtualized data, services, networks, applications and the other components of cloud computing infrastructure. There are 3 types of cloud as per service: Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), or Software as a Service (SaaS). Cloud security policies vary with the type of cloud used by an organization.
Types of cloud are
Private Cloud – It is used by single organization. In this all users of the cloud system are employees. It faces fewer attacks as compared to other types of cloud. Cloud security easily managed by security teams.
Public Cloud – This is opened to the general public and organization. This cloud infrastructure is used by cloud service provider to provide services like email and storage. The security policies are difficult to manage as the public is included which increases the chances of attacks.
Community Cloud – In this cloud infrastructure is shared by a number of organizations forming a community with a similar need. It is more secure compared to a public cloud.
Data Security
Data security is a component of cloud security that deals with threat mitigation. Providers and clients can use security tools and technology to create rules for accessing sensitive data. Encryption is one of the most powerful technologies that make data unreadable and useless for attackers. The most significant difference is that traditional IT models leaned significantly on onsite data storage. Building all IT infrastructure and frameworks in-house is costly and restrictive is what organizations have experienced. Cloud-based security has reduced system security update and maintenance expenses.
Flexibility
Whether an Enterprise firm is increasing or decreasing capacity, a cloud computing solution gives a company the security it needs. By scaling up an organization’s cloud solution as per the need of an organization results in avoidance of server crashes during the time of high demand. Then, once the high traffic period has passed the organization can cut back down to save money without compromising security.
Identity and Access Management
Cloud Security services provide Identity and access management (IAM) service with secure verification methods like two-factor authentication. They have firm control over user’s access. End-user activity can be monitored and analyzed in real-time with the help of cloud security to discover anomalies that depart from normal usage patterns, such as logins from new unknown IP addresses or devices. These unusual behaviours suggest a system breach, so detecting them early helps in preventing attackers and allow security teams to address security issues before they cause havoc. The companies working in the leading cloud computing security solutions assist organizations in regulated industries like banking and finance in managing and maintaining infrastructures as per regulatory compliance of respective governments to secure the personal and financial data of customers.
Cloud Firewall
Security has evolved with the shift to cloud-based applications, resulting in the emergence of cloud firewalls. Cloud firewalls, like traditional firewalls, control and monitor the flow of data between outside domains and company’s internal system. Cloud firewalls provide real-time monitoring and analyze what information is passing between those source domains and data ports and allowing or preventing information flow based on a set of security rules created by security teams preventing the potential attacks.
In today’s digital world, it is difficult to find a company that does not use cloud service or applications based on cloud service. With this, the cyber criminals have started targeting cloud systems. The majority of attacks on cloud systems are because of the extensive amount of data they store which can be utilized and damages an organization’s reputation if stolen. This has resulted in the majority of organizations giving equal importance to cloud security.
