Cloud Storage and Security

• The cloud is another name for services offered via the Internet. The name comes from network diagrams that use a cloud symbol to represent the Internet.
• The cloud can be split into two major areas:

  • Cloud storage.
  • Cloud computing.
• Cloud storage allows users to store files and data on the Internet.

  • The files are accessed remotely by users.
  • Data may be stored in multiple locations.
• Features of cloud storage:

  • Synchronisation of devices with cloud storage.
  • 24/7 availability.
  • Redundancy.
  • Multiple file versions.
  • Only pay for the storage used.
  • Scalability.
• Storage redundancy is where multiple copies of files are stored in different locations.
• In local storage, redundancy is normally carried out by having multiple copies of files on two different hard drives in one server.
• In cloud storage, the locations that store redundant files may be anywhere in the world.
• Scalability is the ability of the storage system or cloud computing resources to increase in size.
• Cloud storage normally charges for the amount of storage used.
• Increasing offline storage usually requires the purchase of new disks.
• Data centres are buildings that are dedicated to storing physical servers.

  • Each server will contain an array of hard drives.
  • Professional engineers will manage the computers.
  • The building will have temperature control and air conditioning.
  • Uptimes for data centres are very good.
• If data is stored in the cloud, the security and privacy of the data is controlled by an external company.
• Data stored locally is under the control of a single person or organisation.
• Cloud storage is usually more secure than local storage.
• When a file on cloud storage is used it must first be downloaded.

  • With a fast connection and a small office document this may happen in a few seconds.
  • However, with files such as those used in video editing it may take hours to open or save files to cloud storage.
• Local storage is very fast to transfer data.

  • A local SATA solid state drive can read and write data at around 500 MB per second.
  • A typical UK internet connection operates at around 70 Mb/s giving speeds of less than 10 MB per second.
• Advantages of cloud computing:

  
  

  • Regular updates to the latest hardware/ software.
  • Allows the company to increase/ decrease the amount of resources used quickly, according to necessities.
  • Easier to estimate the costs of production associated with a project, and therefore reducing costs.
• Cloud computing: companies rent hardware/ software from other companies that keep big data centres with enough resources to acommodate thousands of customers.
• The three fundamental principles of security:

  
  

  1. Privacy: the data is only accessible to authorised users.
  2. Integrity: the data is kept through time without errors or any degradation.
  3. Accessibility: the data is accessible when needed.
• Cloud computing and privacy:

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Information must be exchanged through the internet, so all internet privacy attacks apply (phishing, man-in-the-middle attack, etc).
  • Information is kept remotely, in devices the user has no control over.
  • Cloud computing data centers become targets for malicious agents.

  
  

  Advantages:

  • Encryption (messages on the internet are always encrypted and data stored in remote hard drives can be encrypted).
  • Cloud computing platforms are rigorous in keeping privacy (security audits, ethical hacking, etc.)
• Cloud computing and data integrity:

  Disadvantages:

  • Information is kept remotely, in devices the user has no control over.
  • Data centers are at risk of losing data due to physical reasons (floods, power losses, etc.) or malicious attacks (viruses, ransomware, etc.)

  Advantages:

  • Cloud computing platforms do regular backups of the data, which can be restored if information is lost.
  • Data integrity is more guaranteed using cloud computing than it will be using the user's resources.
• Cloud computing and accessibility:

  Distadvantages:

  • Risks to accessibility are the biggest risks of using cloud computing.
  • Accessibility to the data depends on internet connections.
  • Internet connection could be impaired due to natural (damage to the internet structure, slow connection because of high use of the line, etc.) and malicious reasons (DDoS attack).

  Advantages:

  • As internet technology improves, these problems become less likely to occur.