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Cloud Security - The Way Ahead

Cloud Security is of two types. The Public Cloud Security and the Private Club Security. Both the options need a set of controls that are different and needs to be addressed separately.

The Private Cloud Security is just an extension of the security parameters that are taken into consideration when we handle physical servers. Each device as in every other case are to be addressed as an individual entity and the process and procedures that are applicable to a physical box are applicable to the virtual ones.

However, there is one major difference, the host machines, Each host machines may host different servers and services on a single physical device. Considering this , it would be wise on the security team to ensure that they are grouped based on the criticality of the applications hosted.

There are a few pros and cons of such an exercise. The first major advantage is that you ensure by grouping sensitive servers to a single physical host and take all necessary precaution to  protect the systems as well as logical separation that id due. However, it opens another can of worms, a single compromise on the host systems makes all the systems (all critical ones) vulnerable and therefore increasing the surface area of attack of sensitive systems.

Again the argument would be since all the host systems are invisible it makes it that more difficult for them to be weakened and therefore offers that level of security. The controls in place in addition, physical and logical are monitored more intently that any breach or weakness is detected immediately and remediation steps are taken.

What about encrypting the guest systems so that the host systems administrators cannot see what is on the guests? The control set available is large and an effective strategy evolved to ensure that maximum benefits can be realized from virtualization initiatives.

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