7 Security Issues In Cloud Computing

Introduction:

Cloud computing has grabbed the attention of people. Virtualization and simple sharing of computing, low-priced and fast internet access has made the Cloud Computing concept vigorous in the cyber world. With the growing cybercrime, cloud data security becomes a concern for many organizations. While choosing a cloud service provider, the factor of cloud security is essential. There are a number of security issues which are listed below, which we cannot disregard while bearing cloud computing in mind.

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Data Transfer:

All your data travels through the internet, therefore it is required to ensure that your data travels in a secure channel. When you have SSL in your cloud, a URL starts with HTTPS can secure your data in transit. Your data should have strong encryption according to industry standard protocol. It is very tough to judge the behavior of an online attacker; therefore, it is wise to have the SSL security in the cloud. A secure channel can secure your data and makes data transfer easier.

Software Interface:

Dependability, liability and privacy are main lineaments of Cloud Computing. If you are experiencing weak interface, then all these lineaments will become vulnerable and that will be an open invitation for online attacks. A weak interface can cause security issues, therefore you should aware of your API and software interface that are going to connect to cloud services. Before selecting a Cloud Computing Provider, you should go through its security policy. The security administration policy should support new services from different background of authentication.

Injection Attack:

In a SQL injection attack, an attacker can insert special character to modify the data string that can cause harm to the cloud system. Besides SQL attack, an attacker can create a malicious application or service and sets it in the cloud. When a user selects a malicious program application, the virus will enter into the user’s system and can harm the user’s system hardware. The injection attack could compromise data security and steal your database. As a result, the system becomes vulnerable, causes deadlocks, subtle data change and functionality disturbance.

Flooding Attack:

The main object of cloud computing is to furnish resources to users as per demand. Here, an attacker can deliver false requests to cloud service that are of no use, but just pretending as a legal user request. With the increasing amount of request, cloud computing resizes its space to cover all legitimate requests. However, when an attacker places false requests, it occupies free space and therefore, legitimate requests will have no space on cloud servers. Finally, the client has to pay for the increased space thorough false links.

Network Sniffing:

When your cloud service is not encrypted then, the attacker can steal your password, login information during the transit of data. Such activity is called sniffing. If the communicated parties have no SSL, then the attacker can take benefit of transmitting non-encrypted data. Use of SSL can prevent network sniffing.

Traffic Hijacking:

If an attacker gains credentials, he or she can snoop transactions and manipulate data. The attacker can in return send false information and redirect the client to a phishing website. Traffic hijacking can damage a company’s reputation and as a result, the company may lose customers and clients. To prevent from hijacking, there should be a two-factor authentication feature while operating cloud accounts.

Conclusion:

Cloud Computing is a developing subject that is welcomed by most of enterprises across the world. From the above discussion, it is now clear that cloud service requires a strong security for data and information. Before selecting the cloud service, one should consider security part of cloud service. At present, enterprises are showing attention in public cloud for outsourcing to carry cost down and increase business grow.