Cloud Server Security

Cloud server security is the protection of data and resources stored on cloud servers. Safeguarding your web data from data loss, theft, human error or system compromise are the primary functions of cloud server security. Securing your cloud server is crucial since security threats are becoming more sophisticated and are constantly evolving.

In this article, we will provide you with all of the information you need to know regarding cloud server security.

A Cloud server is a virtual server that contains the files of your website. It is a service that allows your data to be stored across several connected servers and can be accessed from anywhere through the Internet.

Cloud web hosting is also known as server on-demand hosting or cluster server hosting.

Cloud security refers to a set of technologies, controls, procedures, and policies that work together in order to protect cloud-based infrastructure, data, and systems.

These measures are set in place to protect the privacy of customers, support regulatory compliance, protect cloud data, and set authentication rules for individual devices and users.

Cloud security protects networks and storage against malicious data theft, deters human negligence or error that causes leaks of data, and enables data recovery in case of data loss.

Traditional hosting providers make sure that your server is protected against malicious activity. They keep the information of their customers confidential, and they protect against data hacking. As a rule, security measures include protection against viruses and spam, various plug-ins, SSL certificates, and automatic scanning of programs and viruses.

Cloud server hosting is an external form of software delivery and data storage. Despite the fact that traditional hosting providers are highly reliable, the cloud hosting solution has bypassed them in many ways. Cloud security measures are accompanied by advanced monitoring systems and the ability to install web application firewalls.

Over 90% of businesses have reported a significant improvement in online security and dealing with government compliance requirements after moving their data to the cloud. Understanding cloud security standards and the tools available, will help you take advantage of the benefits that cloud hosting offers, while also avoiding the potential vulnerabilities.

• Backups – By setting up several cloud host servers, you will be able to automatically back up data. This provides an easy and quick disaster recovery function. When it comes to traditional hosting, this cannot be implemented since there is one server that is hosting applications and data. In order to implement data recovery, you need to do special preparations for backup.

• Encryption – Before your data is moved into cloud storage, data encryption transforms and processes it. There are different algorithms of encryption offered by different hosting platforms such as Google or Amazon.

• No hardware issues – With cloud web server hosting, you won’t experience hardware issues. If you need to add more memory or you’re having problems with the physical server, you can make improvements without any downtime by running your website from a different virtual server.

• Firewall software – Cloud web hosting plans have an established infrastructure that offers firewall software. The firewall software makes sure that your network is secure and that you have safe access to your critical assets.

• Confidentiality – The confidentiality of your data is ensured with the use of a managed firewall appliance that helps monitor who is requesting access to the network. Encryption further ensures the confidentiality of your data. Data is encrypted, so it doesn’t reveal sensitive information to anyone who does not own the private key needed in order to decrypt it.

• Non-dependent on one physical server – Your entire website won’t be brought down by one infected or, in any other way, compromised physical server. With cloud based web hosting, your site will be isolated from the issue that is happening by being loaded from a different source.

• Data Integrity – One of the biggest benefits of the best cloud hosting is that your data will be protected thanks to a large set of machines. With the fastest cloud hosting, your data will be transferred from one virtual space to another, making it harder to be the victim of an unforeseen hardware problem or an attack. In comparison, when your data is on a single server, there is a bigger risk of a data breach, data loss, or an attack by hackers.

• Compliance standards – Like we previously mentioned, there are a few recognized standards that you need to comply with. By working with a cloud hosting provider, you will be working with certified and registered professionals regarding the various compliance standards.

Cloud hosting offers unique solutions, however, it is also these technologies that expose new vulnerabilities. One challenge due to the nature of cloud hosting is that your data and applications might be floating between local and remote systems and is always internet-accessible. This adds an extra level of risk that needs to be mitigated.

• Data Breaches – If you don’t employ two-factor authentication, data breaches can happen. This can be avoided with your cloud hosting plans by improving your user authentication process and using strong passwords.

• DDoS attacks – DDoS attacks are difficult to stop; however, you can use security addons and solutions such as SiteLock and use your best effort to protect your site.

• Data loss – There is the risk of your data being lost as a result of a data center going offline due to natural causes or other reasons. Usually, this risk to your cloud web server can be avoided by regularly backing up your data in different locations.

• Insider Attacks – Insiders, such as administrators and staff for both cloud service providers and organizations, can abuse their authorized access to the networks of the cloud service provider or the organization. They are in a unique position to exfiltrate or damage information.

• Accessibility – The only way to cloud computing is the Internet. If you don’t have an internet connection, you won’t be able to access it. This can be an issue in remote areas that don’t have good internet access or in developing countries.

• Malware – By moving your data to an internet-connected environment, you are opening yourself up for additional cyber threats. Malware scripts can get into your cloud website hosting and cause damage and destruction when it comes to your sensitive data. However, as we previously mentioned, security addons for your cloud server can be really helpful in situations like these.

• Access control – Providers of cloud web hosting services own, monitor, and manage the cloud infrastructure. The customer has minimal control over the cloud infrastructure. You won’t be able to manage the services, data, and applications operated on the cloud. However, this has an upside, as you won’t have to do administrative tasks such as managing and updating firmware.

• Regulatory Compliance Violation – Something that is continuously becoming a growing concern is the privacy of data. For this reason, industry standards and compliance regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR are becoming stricter. In order to ensure compliance, you need to monitor who has access to the data and what they do with the access they have. Cloud web hosting solutions usually have large-scale user access, so it will be difficult to monitor access across the network if you don’t have the proper access controls implemented.

Not only is Cloud hosting secure, it is also one of the most popular methods used by organizations and companies to ensure the safety of their data. Even though there are a few risks to this type of hosting, it’s possible to avoid them by keeping on top of cloud hosting security measures. With the use of firewalls, data encryption, and the latest strategy of the hosting provider, you will be armed with advanced cloud technology to keep your data secure.