Cloud computing is a model that allows access to a common pool of configurable computing resources, under appropriate conditions and on demand, anytime, anywhere. Cloud computing has many advantages such as flexibility, cost, energy savings, resource sharing and rapid distribution. Centralizing data in the cloud provides attackers with a one-stop shop to steal data and stop data in motion. As a result, security, privacy, efficiency and scalability concerns prevent widespread adoption of cloud technology. Security challenges should be reduced before moving data to the cloud with regulations and technologies that must be complied with within the scope of the cloud. Before choosing a cloud service provider, issues such as the provider’s compliance with the law, awareness of risk and crisis management, and periodic security checks should be analyzed.

What is Cloud Security?

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) special publication, “cloud computing is a model for providing ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” According to this definition, cloud computing provides access to computing resources and facilities at any time and from anywhere. The goal of centralized cloud security is to send instant notifications to IT teams about a common threat. With this proactive approach, companies are aimed to protect themselves from both destructive attacks such as DDoS and larger threats such as data breaches. Before implementing a cloud security strategy, security teams need to evaluate all existing cloud controls and decide whether they are centralized.

Advantages of Centralized Cloud Security

Centralized cloud security offers many advantages for managing data threats and protecting sensitive information and networks.

Intrusion Prevention

Intrusion prevention is a security approach used to detect potential threats and respond immediately to them. The main functions of intrusion prevention systems are to identify suspicious activity, analyze information about this activity, and use this information to try to prevent attacks. Attackers can be blocked by this system before they can enter the cloud system and cause damage.

Load Balancing

Load balancing also plays an important role in cloud security. The off-loading feature of a load balancer protects an organization from DDoS attacks. Load balancers can help prevent these attacks by moving malicious traffic from the company server to a public cloud provider.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

DLP solutions in centralized security environments ensure that all data in the cloud is encrypted and used only by authorized cloud applications. Cloud DLP solutions can remove or modify sensitive data before it is shared to ensure that data is protected while in transit.

Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)

ATP refers to a category of security tools that protect against advanced attacks on sensitive data or sophisticated malware. ATP solutions are available as managed services or as software. Each solution has its own components and approaches, but most include a combination of network devices, endpoint agents, malware protection systems, email gateways, and a centralized management console to manage defenses and correlate alerts.

Cloud Computing Features

According to the official definition, cloud computing has five main features: resource pooling, wide network access, fast elasticity, optional self-service, and measured service.

1. Shared resources: clients can share resources such as networks, servers, storage, software, memory, and processing at the same time. Providers can dynamically allocate resources according to fluctuations in demand, and the customer is completely unaware of the physical location of these services.
2. Wide network access: the cloud provides wide access to the network using the Internet from any device.
3. Elasticity: the cloud is flexible and configurable. Customers feel that resources are unlimited.
4. Optional self-service: if necessary, any customer can automatically configure the cloud without the intervention of service technicians. Customers perform the scheduling and decide on the required storage and computing power.
5. Metered service: different cloud services can be measured using different metrics. Detailed usage reports are generated to protect the rights of customers and providers.

Cloud Service Types

Software as a Service (SaaS)

A service model in which a cloud service provider develops and maintains cloud application software, provides automatic software updates, and offers pay-as-you-go software to its customers over the Internet.

Platform as a Service (PAAS)

It allows customers to access the developer tools they need to create and manage mobile and web application software without investing in or maintaining existing infrastructure. It eliminates the need for organizations to manage infrastructure (usually hardware and operating systems) and allows them to focus on application deployment and management.

Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS)

It allows customers to access infrastructure services over the Internet at any time. It contains the basic building blocks for a cloud IT system and generally provides access to network features, computers (virtual or dedicated hardware), and data storage.

The type of service is important, as the security measures to be taken will also vary depending on the type of cloud service.

Cloud Computing Deployment Models

There are four different deployment models for cloud computing.

Private Cloud

It is located within the company, on the intranet, behind the firewall and is usually managed by the same organization that uses it. It is a computing service offered to certain users with restrictions made over a private internal network.

Public Cloud

It is located outside the company, over the internet and is usually managed by a cloud service provider. It is less secure than a private cloud. Various features can be used through resources to be rented from a third party company without paying for e-mails.

Hybrid Cloud

It emerged from the combination of all the features of Public and Private Cloud. Thanks to this hybrid cloud feature, security and privacy are at the forefront.

Community Cloud

It is the situation where any service received on the cloud is used jointly by several companies. It is a suitable cloud technology for business owners with more than one company…