Post Menu and Details.
- Reducing Data Attack Surface Through Encryption
- Cloud Data States
- Building blocks of encryption
- Symmetric encryption
- Asymmetric encryption
- Why do we need encryption?
- Challenges of Encryption
- Conclusion
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Reading time: ~4 minutes
The privacy of online data is of extreme importance in the information technology field in recent years. Because data is being transferred inexorably between devices and apps, our data is becoming increasingly vulnerable to external threats. When a threat actor compromises a significant firm, the number of persons affected by a data breach might potentially number in the millions.
Anyone with Internet access can log in to the cloud and retrieve and upload data from any cloud provider. However, some cloud storage organizations do not provide appropriate data protection alternatives, such as cloud encryption. Some major organizations have found that service providers who are specialists in the field of cyber security, like cyberpion.com, greatly improved the security of their clients and financial data.
Reducing Data Attack Surface Through Encryption
Encryption for cloud storage is the process of encrypting or altering data before it is stored in the cloud. Encryption employs mathematical procedures to convert plaintext data (file, text, image, or code) into an unreadable form (encrypted) that can be hidden from malicious and unauthorized users. It’s the easiest and most important approach to ensure data from the cloud cannot be accessed, stolen, or viewed by an individual with questionable motivation.
The companies that offer cloud storage encrypt their customers’ data and provide them with encryption keys. When necessary, keys like these are utilized to safely decrypt data. There is a process known as decryption whereby the key is used to transform encrypted data back into readable form to restore the integrity of the data.
To be classified as an information technology discipline, it is typically regarded as one that mainly focuses on data availability and integrity. IT doesn’t place enough emphasis on data security. Therefore, any company that wishes to protect its data on the cloud should adopt cloud encryption. Digital data is intended to be sent, and encryption is required to ensure secure transmission.
Users want to guarantee that their information is secure when sent to the cloud and that the cloud service is the endpoint to whom they plan to give the data, rather than any nefarious attackers.
Cloud Data States
In order to identify data in the cloud, one needs to look at its current state. When data is safely stored in a protected database in the cloud, that data is regarded as Data-at-rest. This form of data can be stored or housed in devices or units. System folders, Database servers, mobile devices, Network Attached Storage, USB pen drives, local Hard Drives, and any other logical or physical storage system are all included.
Second, we have what is known as Data-in-transit. This form of data is frequently referred to as “in motion.” This is the information that is being transported from one location to another. It is important to remember that data transfer does not occur solely between the sender and the recipient. For example, when we transfer data from an endpoint to or from the cloud.
Building blocks of encryption
As the area of information technology evolves its methods of data protection and privacy protection, two primary encryption algorithms are used to encrypt and decrypt data. Moreover, these methods are always evolving as the area of information technology evolves its methods of protecting data and ensuring privacy.
Symmetric encryption
Because the encryption and decryption keys are the same as symmetric encryption, it is best suited for private systems and individuals. These keys are used to keep communication safe. This algorithm, which is often referred to as the secret key algorithm, is commonly used for bulk data encryption. Anyone possessing the key, however, can decode the material even if it is not intended for them.
Asymmetric encryption
This approach employs two keys (private and public) that are mathematically linked together. It is called asymmetric encryption because the keys are paired together yet are not identical. The private key must be kept secret and hidden, whereas the public key can be shared with anybody.
Why do we need encryption?
Cloud encryption is required since its primary goal is to secure and protect secret data while it travels via computer networks and other systems. The CIA triangle is the best technique to assess an organization’s security and privacy situation. This is an acronym that stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, plus Availability.
Conventionally, the domain of digital technologies has mainly focused on data access and integrity. SysAdmis might not place enough emphasis on data security in their segregated environments. Therefore, any organization should adopt cloud encryption as a standard.
Consequently, encryption is utilized for more than only data protection and confidentiality. At its base, digital data is intended to be communicated and used across systems, and encryption is required to ensure the communication is secure. Users want to guarantee the security of their data when sent to another user, as well as ensure that the other user is the person to whom they plan to give the data, rather than any nefarious attackers.
Encryption is not that difficult to deploy when done right. Instead, encryption may help any firm achieve the data privacy, compliance, and flexibility that they require. If an organization is thinking about cloud encryption, it will gain from the increased protection of data along with data privacy and improved adherence to regulatory compliance statutes.
Challenges of Encryption
Although encryption is the best instrument for cloud data protection, it is best to accept that there is no perfect strategy for privacy and security. Encryption, like any other technology for combating vulnerabilities and dangers in cyberspace, can provide obstacles to an organization or user.
Some threat actors, such as an external attacker or an inside privileged administrator, can obtain access to personal or highly confidential data. Because a privileged user has access to unencrypted data, storage-level encryption will not provide effective protection in this scenario.
Conclusion
A major key to safely curating cloud data, therefore, lies with effective encryption of data utilizing complex algorithms that generate cipher text that is completely ambiguous without the correct decryption key.
Thank you for reading!