Data security in cloud computing relies on data integrity and confidentiality.
Data Integrity
Data integrity prevents unauthorized modification of data. Configuration errors, transfer errors, compromised hardware, malicious intruders, and general human errors can all affect data integrity.
Ensuring the integrity of your data involves a variety of methodologies including a high-availability and integrity layer (HAIL) to provable data possession (PDP). By automatically comparing the current state of the cloud to the last-known safe states, you can alert administrators of deviations. It is also critical to implement strict data access controls and regularly monitor user activities, modifications, and sign-in attempts.
Data Confidentiality
Data confidentiality is critical for meeting compliance requirements and maintaining best practices. The largest threat to confidentiality is unauthorized access.
One approach to dealing with this issue is to categorize your data. Ensure you store sensitive data in specified protected locations that only authorized users can access. Additionally, make sure to apply different security controls based on classification.
Another approach involves strong encryption, either asymmetric (requiring one public or private key) or in a symmetric method, where a single private key encrypts and decrypts.
As businesses continue with cloud adoption, the environment will only become more complex. Keeping in mind these options for data security in cloud computing will help mitigate risks as they grow. Work closely with your cloud provider and set up a service-level agreement that guarantees your data security needs are met.