Cloud computing has emerged as a transformative technology, providing numerous benefits in terms of scalability, cost-efficiency, and accessibility. However, this paradigm shift in data storage and processing also introduces new challenges, particularly concerning security. This chapter explores cloud-specific threats, such as data breaches and insider attacks, within the context of cloud computing. This chapter explores the various dimensions of these threats, discussing the vulnerabilities associated with cloud environments, potential attack vectors, and their impact on data security and privacy. To mitigate these threats, security measures like encryption, access control, and monitoring are examined. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the importance of proactive risk assessment and security strategies to protect sensitive information in the cloud.
Top1. Introduction To Cloud Computing And Its Significance
Cloud computing is a revolutionary technology that enables the delivery of a variety of IT services, including storage, computing power, and applications, over the Internet (Suresh Babu, 2023). Due to its versatility, flexibility and cost-effectiveness, it has gained great importance in today's digital landscape. Cloud computing eliminates the need for organizations to maintain and invest in extensive infrastructure, allowing access to resources on a pay-as-you-go basis that can be scaled up or down quickly to meet changing demands. Armbrust et al. (2010), cloud computing offers powerful computing resources and the democratization of data storage, benefiting a variety of industries from start-ups to large enterprises. According to Raj and Srinivasan (2019, p. 72), insider threats are a major security concern for cloud computing environments.
Cloud computing has become the pinnacle of the digital age, a ground-breaking technological innovation that has dramatically changed the way individuals and organizations access, use, and manage their computing resources, data, and applications. This transformation goes beyond simplicity to the core of how businesses and individuals operate in the interconnected world of the 21st century. The importance of cloud computing is demonstrated by its versatile capabilities, including on-demand self-service, ubiquitous networking, resource pooling, rapid agility, and scalable services. This feature allows users to find optimal computing resources from almost anywhere and dynamically scale their resources in response to changing demands, providing unparalleled flexibility. The importance of cloud computing is increasing with different deployment models. custom solutions for a variety of requirements. Public clouds are available to the public and are often used for web-based email services, data storage, and application hosting. Private clouds, on the other hand, are dedicated to organizations that provide enhanced control over data and resources while maintaining cloud-like characteristics. According to Smith (2018, p. 17), “cloud computing introduces new security risks, such as data breaches, account hijacking, and denial-of-service attacks. Community clouds, designed for a specific group of users with common problems, provide an environment where organizations can collaborate and share resources while following common policies and requirements. Cloud computing environments are vulnerable to a variety of security threats, including data breaches, denial-of-service attacks, and insider attacks, Goyal, Kakkar, and Kumar (2020, p. 1).
Another measure of the impact of cloud computing is in the service model. Among them Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the Internet by providing additional infrastructure elements such as virtual machines, storage, and networks. PaaS provides a platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without having to deal with existing infrastructure. Finally, SaaS delivers software over the Internet, eliminating the need to install and maintain software on users' local devices. This service-based approach simplifies software delivery and maintenance, reducing the administrative burden for users and IT teams. The continued importance of cloud computing is the basis of many innovations and disruptions. Cloud services rely on the infrastructure of countless applications, from data storage and processing to advanced technologies. It enables organizations to embrace digital transformation and respond quickly to changing market conditions, as infrastructure management challenges are outsourced to cloud providers. The scalable and cost-effective nature of the cloud has become the core of modern business processes, allowing businesses to focus on value-added activities and remain flexible in the face of the ever-evolving technological landscape and market.
This technology has become an important element in today's digital age, enabling innovation and agility while reducing capital costs and becoming a pillar of the modern enterprise and technology ecosystem.