#Cloud Environment

[jcmarchi]

Security and privacy issues in cloud computing

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/security-and-privacy-issues-in-cloud-computing/

Security and privacy issues in cloud computing

Cloud computing is the main support for many companies worldwide. More businesses are moving to cloud computing to improve how they work and compete.

It’s important to find the top security problems in cloud computing. Data leaks caused by cloud setup mistakes and past data leaks need to be watched. This is to avoid impact on the company. 

What is cloud computing? 

Cloud computing changes how we manage, access, and store data. This is done through internet services. This is different from the old way of using storage devices.  

The new cloud-computing model means you do not have to worry about managing servers. Both companies and people can benefit. They get strong data security and flexible, low-cost, and easy-to-adapt data solutions in the cloud. 

Why do you need cloud computing? 

Companies can use secure data centers, lower infrastructure costs, and do operation optimization at full length. It increases efficiency, lowers costs, and empowers businesses. 

With cloud computing, an organization can quickly adjust resources to match demand without requiring large initial hardware investments. 

An organization needs to pay for only the resources it consumes, lowering expenses for infrastructure and upkeep. 

You can access data and applications remotely with an internet connection, which increases accessibility to work and collaboration. 

You can, however, enable fast deployment of new applications and services, eliminating the lengthy lead times of traditional IT methods. 

In cloud computing, service providers take care of maintenance and updates, guaranteeing that you constantly receive the most up-to-date features and security. 

Numerous cloud services provide strong backup and recovery options, reducing downtime in the event of data loss. 

It streamlines IT resource management, enabling teams to concentrate on strategic projects instead of daily upkeep. 

Cloud security issues

There are multiple security issues in cloud computing, and there are hurdles to overcome to secure data and still be able to maintain operational reliability. In this article, we explore the main security concerns in cloud computing and the extent to which they could possibly harm businesses. 

Data loss

Data leakage has been a serious issue in cloud computing. Well, that is true, but only if our sensitive data is being taken care of by someone else whom we cannot trust absolutely, and just the opposite.

Therefore, if cloud service security is going to be baked by a hacker, then hackers can surely get a hold of our sensitive data or personal files. 

Insecure APIs

APIs are the easiest way to talk about the Cloud and need protection. Moreover, as third-party access public clouds, they too can be vulnerabilities to a cloud.

To secure these APIs, implementing SSL certificates is crucial, as they encrypt data in transit, making it harder for hackers to intercept sensitive information. Without this layer of security, attackers can exploit weaknesses in the API, leading to unauthorized access or data loss.  

Account hijacking

The most serious and pressing security threat out of myriads of cloud computing is account hijacking. Once a hacker compromises or hijacks the Account of a User or an Organization, he can access all unauthorized accounts and other activities. 

Change of service provider

Change of service provider is also an important Security issue in Cloud Computing. Many organizations will face different problems like data shifting and different charges for each vendor while shifting from one vendor to another. 

Skill gap 

The biggest problem with IT Companies that do not have skilled Employees is the need to shift to another service provider while working, another feature required, how to use a feature, and so on. Therefore, it requires an extremely skilled person to work in cloud computing. 

Insider threat

On the face of it, this would come out unlikely, but in reality, cloud security threats are those insiders that pose a serious threat to the organizations that avail cloud-based services.

These persons with authorized access to the most needed company resources may indulge in some forms of misconduct, either intentional or unintentional, which will lead to the misuse of their sensitive data. Sensitive data will include client accounts and all critical financial information. 

The important fact to be considered is that the threats from within in cloud security are likely to come through either malicious intent or unintended and just plain negligence. Most such threats can mature into serious violations of security if they develop further and can thereby put sensitive data at risk.

To fight effectively such insider threats while maintaining, at the same time, the confidentiality of data being protected and stored in the cloud, access control must be proper, along with tight and strict access controls.  

Moreover, full training courses including minute details about security should be provided to every member of the staff. In this regard also, monitoring should be done periodically. It is these aspects that have been the main reasons for protection against internal threats that may go about happening. 

Malware injection

The most potent cloud security threats are malware injections. Evil code is concealed in the guise of legitimate code in cloud services. The attacks compromise data integrity because malignant options allow attackers to eavesdrop, modify information, and escape data without detection.

It has become essential to secure the data from eavesdropping in cloud computing and security is an essential aspect. This has become a serious threat to the security of the cloud environment; it should be counter-attacked through careful vigilance and robust security to avoid access to the cloud infrastructure.

Misconfiguration

Indeed, misconfigurations in cloud security settings have proved to be one of the leading and most common causes of data breaches in the present-day digital, and these incidents are mostly the offspring of less-than-perfect practices about managing an effective posture of security.

The user-friendly nature of cloud infrastructure, set up primarily to allow easy exchange and interaction of data, poses significant hurdles to directing access of the data to only a targeted entity or personnel. 

Data storage issue 

This distributed cloud infrastructure is spread all over the globe. Sometimes it tends to keep user data outside the jurisdictions of the legal frameworks of certain regions, raising the range of such data among local law enforcement and regulations. The user dreads its violation because the notion of a cloud makes it difficult to identify one server in the process of transferring data overseas. 

Shared infrastructure security concerns

Multi-tenancy is the sharing of resources, storage, applications, and services from one platform with many at the cloud provider’s site. This tends to enable the provider to recoup high returns on investment but puts the customer at risk. Hence, an attacker can use multi-homing options to make a successful attack against the remaining co-tenants. This has a privacy problem. 

Conclusion 

The business world is changing rapidly, and the rise of cloud computing has created huge security and privacy concerns. In the cloud, there are many issues, such as multiple users sharing the same infrastructure and relying on third parties. These make data vulnerable.

Organizations must be proactive to protect data. They need strong encryption, controlled access, regular security audits, and a clear understanding of their shared responsibility with cloud providers. 

[gleecus-techlabs-blogs]

Ensuring data quality and completeness is fundamental to effective data governance, which helps maintain accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information across the organization. By implementing clear data standards, policies, and procedures, organizations can systematically manage data to minimize errors and inconsistencies.

As data scales rapidly in cloud environments, strong governance is crucial for maintaining accuracy and ensuring proper integration from diverse sources, thereby enhancing analytics and decision-making. Adhering to governance policies also safeguards data security and privacy, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and protecting sensitive information in the cloud.

Explore our blog to dive deeper into Data Governance practices tailored for cloud-native environments.

[hope-for-the-planet]

Endangered Species Sightings from This Year

This is thought to be the first time in over 20 years that a blue whale was spotted off the Coast of Massachusetts.

I highly recommend watching the video and listening to the reaction of the people on the whale watching boat--the cheers and emotion in some of their voices, especially the woman saying "I'm trying not to" when someone jokingly tells her not to cry.

This is the first time ever that a mother clouded leopard with two cubs has been spotted on a game cam!

"After being considered regionally extinct for over a century, giant anteaters have been spotted roaming once again in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state. Scientists have concluded these returned natives ventured over from Argentina's Ibera Park, where conservationists have released around 110 rescued and captive-bred anteaters since 2007."

Over 100 years and the anteaters are finally coming home!

[tofupixel]

big cloud

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Have you ever wondered why Cloud Computing is A Must for Every Business? Well, if you have, then you must want an answer too.

Grras Solutions is here with an article to help you find one. Cloud computing has become an integral part of every business today. If you are keen on knowing why, then this article is the one to read. Making a career in cloud computing is also possible with the right training and certification Program. And only Grras Solutions is offering it today. Begin now by enrolling with the best!

[enterprise-cloud-services]

Discover why investing in cloud security and resilience is crucial for businesses. Learn how to protect your data and minimize downtime. Read more now.

[mienar]

stillness in these waking hours

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[rubylogan15]

Discover why investing in cloud security and resilience is crucial for businesses. Learn how to protect your data and minimize downtime. Read more now.

[public-cloud-computing]

As businesses continue to move more of their operations to the cloud, it is important to ensure that the cloud environment is secure and resilient.

[pellinni-photo]

landscape with carpathian mountains, forest and a river in front. beautiful scenery in summer

[wishlings]

working on updating the graphics for the garden : )

[jcmarchi]

Platform Engineering: Streamlining Modern Software Development

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/platform-engineering-streamlining-modern-software-development/

Platform Engineering: Streamlining Modern Software Development

As we accelerate ahead of Industry 4.0, digital transformation reshapes businesses at an unprecedented level.  Today, organizations face high pressures to deliver software faster, more reliably, and at scale.

The growing complexities of the cloud environment and heightened demand for frictionless customer experiences have further complicated software development. Since delivering a seamless customer experience is an organization’s top priority, continuous software development runs parallel with other operations.

Platform engineering has emerged to address these challenges. It is based upon integrating product names as an internal developer’s platform designed to streamline the software development process.

According to a research by Gartner, “45% of large software engineering organizations were already utilizing platform engineering platforms in 2022, and the number is expected to rise by 80% by 2026.”.

This article will explain platform engineering and its benefits and see how it boosts the entire software development cycle.

What is Platform Engineering?

With ever-increasing functionalities, cloud environments are becoming more complex every day. Developing new tools and software isn’t easy now. Sometimes, software development-related complexities, the underlying infrastructure that must be managed, and routine tasks become hard to tackle.

Platform engineering focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing Internal Developers Platforms (IDPs).

IDPs work as an added layer and bridge the gap between developers and underlying infrastructure. Adopting an IDP enables workflow standardizations, self-services in software development, and improved observability in development.

With all these workflow enhancements, developers can work in more automated environments. By enabling automation at every level, the internal data platforms streamline the software development lifecycle (SDCL) while adhering to the governance and compliance standards.

Core Concepts of Platform Engineering

As cloud computing, microservices, and containerization grew, organizations opted for more advanced platforms to manage their complexities. An engineering platform in software development creates a cohesive and efficient development environment that enhances productivity while maintaining operational stability.

Here are some of the core concepts of platform engineering:

1. Internal Developer Platform (IDP)

Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs) are designed to help organizations optimize their development processes. As development processes become more iterative, cloud complexities become an added burden.

Source

IDPs act as added layers in the development process, simplifying operations and enabling teams to leverage existing development technologies. It is an ecosystem that empowers developers by providing tools and automation and autonomously managing the end-to-end lifecycle, from development to deployment.

Some of the most demanded IDPs are:

Qovery

Platform.sh

Backstage by Spotify

Humanitec

Coherence

However, if not implemented strategically, IDPs can introduce further complexities downstream.

2. Self-Service

One of platform engineering’s most powerful features is its capability to empower developers through self-service. This means developers can work independently, provision, manage, and deploy applications without relying on operations teams. It empowers the workflow, enabling developers to iterate and deploy efficiently.

3. Workflow Automation

Automation is another reason to adopt an engineering platform.  It automates routine tasks and reduces human error while ensuring scalability and consistency across the development lifecycle.

4. Standardization

Engineering platforms promote end-to-end standardization of best practices across the development workflow. They usually have built-in quality standards to meet compliance requirements. So, both organizations and development teams automatically follow compliance best practices.

5. Security & Governance

As security and governance are core concerns in any SDLC, integrating a robust engineering platform ensures robust governance to minimize vulnerabilities and risks.

6. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Platform engineering enables development teams to provision and manage infrastructure resources in repeatable and automated ways. It also promotes version control for easier management and collaboration and faster time-to-market.

At its core, it manages the development process more efficiently by reducing development complexities and ensuring compliance and quality.

Why is Platform Engineering Important to Adapt?

Platform engineering has gained importance due to the growing complexity of software and cloud-based development environments. Managing multiple development environments, multifaceted cloud environments, and diverse technology loads obstructs developers.

To avoid this, internal development platforms streamline the process by creating scalable, reusable platforms to automate tasks and simplify processes.

An IDP allows developers to stay ahead and be more productive at high-value tasks rather than tackling underlying infrastructure. Moreover, platform engineering enables security measures in the development process, diminishing risks and ensuring compliance.

Benefits of Platform Engineering

Internal development platforms offer several critical benefits that boost the overall software development process.

Accelerates Development Process: The cross-functional and automated collaborative environment leads to faster time-to-market and rationalized development costs.

Improves Developer Experience: Platform engineering offers self-service capabilities, enabling developers to be efficient and creative and focus on innovation instead of infrastructural complexities.

Enhances Scalability: Engineering platforms empower organizations to scale their applications and infrastructure to meet growing demands.

Establishes Governance: Platform engineering promotes governance, which is critical for all industries. It ensures that all activities are compliant and aligned with best practices.

Is Platform Engineering the Future of Software Development?

As businesses transform digitally, platform engineering provides a unified infrastructure to empower the build, test, and deployment processes. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to more efficient internal platform services in the future.

Moreover, early adoption will provide a competitive advantage for seamless software development workflows.

For more resources on software development, cloud computing, and AI, visit Unite.ai.

[inksandpensblog]

It’s kinda neat how Chosen’s lightning ability is specifically lightning and not just electricity in general. He always makes a cloud for it to come from first.

Also have you noticed that he doesn’t need his fire to stay in the air whenever he has those thunderclouds? Granted we’ve only seen him use lightning on three occasions and he was only flying for two of them, and he may still be flying with his fire while he’s making them, but it seems that when he’s actively using the cloud he doesn’t need his fire to remain airborn.

He might not even need to make the cloud himself; in Wanted it looks like he calls upon the clouds that are already around him. But it’s interesting that it seems he needs a cloud on-hand in order to do anything with electricity.

[tofupixel]

Mt. Pastel - 2022

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[qalrey]

🦋🦋🦋