Five Major Security Concerns with Cloud Computing
Published on 18 September 14
NgWei
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Cloud computing is the norm these days. It has its advantages, but there are some significant threats it comes with. We list some of these threats you need to consider while choosing a cloud computing solution.
Keeping aside the glorious advantages of the revolutionary cloud computing technology, we take a look at some of the risks that you should always watch out for!
Data Breach/ Water hole attacks
This is any business’ nightmare. You constantly try to prevent data loss or data falling into the hands of competitors or hackers. But the implementation of cloud brings in other threats into the picture, which we may not even know exist.
As cloud computing solutions concentrate on collecting the client’s data in one secure location, the attack on one such location is a potential risk for all stakeholders. Most cloud service providers also look to ensure data redundancy in order to provide safety against notorious elements on the provider’s side.
As a result, multiple copies of the same data are maintained which in turn provides for a greater number of points for attack.Loss of Data
While the majority of cases of data loss usually result from malicious intent, there can be accidental cases too. If a drive crashes, without a backup of the data having been maintained previously, a company’s whole business structure may run the risk of crumbling to the ground.
Most accidents are caused by human error, but there can be natural causes too.
In any case, there is twin-fold of backing up your backups, which also poses an additional threat when it comes to malicious attacks. Perhaps, it is ideal to find middle ground and stick with it.
The Provider’s Disaster Recovery Plan
Your provider backs up your data to a safe location. This location has to exist in a physical space. And it requires no telling that physical spaces, any spaces are not immune to disaster. Hence, what is critical before you choose a cloud service provider is to understand its disaster recovery plan.
Ask questions like, what level of guarantee is provided for continued services? Or, how frequently is the data backed up? You need to have a plan in place, in case these terms are shortchanged from the promised deliverable s.Who can access your data?
With recent leaks of mammoth surveillance programs and international spying projects, you need to decide who you are okay with, to have a look at your data.
Cloud can be susceptible to internal threats, like disgruntled employees, or accomplices of external agencies. Make sure your service provider has mechanisms to tackle such threats.
Another threat that is constantly doing the rounds is hackers using denial-of-service attacks which render the user indifferent to legitimate and illegitimate traffic. Make sure your service provider has a full-proof plan for such attacks.Compliance
The latest issue to come up in the cloud computing world is the question of localizing your service. By this we mean choosing a service provider that belongs to the same geography as you operate in.
Certain countries apply different regulations on providers. This would mean different things to your business plan. You have to make a decision based on the compliance your provider has with the local regulations. If your provider fails to meet any of these regulations, it is a good chance that you are too.
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