Cloud misconceptions: keeping it secure

Cloud computing, despite being one critical element of today’s digital infrastructure and being deemed secure by experts, continues to be plagued by misconceptions and uncertainties related to its security.

A rise in data volumes and the choice of where to store it has put many organizations under the spotlight. Choosing between local storage and cloud services only relocates the security risk rather than increase or decrease it. Especially in dynamic environments where services can emerge or vanish depending on demand, tracing the precise location of data becomes a significant challenge due to cloud computing’s concept of “abstraction”.

An example of how this abstraction impacts security can be seen in OpenStack’s Object Storage (Swift). Here, data is duplicated across multiple hard drives spread over servers throughout the data center. This provides resilience against failures but also removes security from the user’s direct control.

There is apprehension about cloud providers not maintaining the same security standards that a business would implement within its own data center. This concern chiefly revolves around control over data access.

However, it’s critical to understand that due to the vast and diverse range of data they store, cloud providers are prime targets for cyber-attacks. As such, substantial investments are made in security measures to ensure their credibility and business models are safeguarded. Adopting cloud-based solutions does not mean you lessen your in-house security standards. In fact, you could extend your internal security to the cloud environment through the provider’s security services.

Making a move to the cloud doesn’t reassign the responsibility of your data’s security. It’s practical and crucial that businesses execute their in-house security protocols beyond their organization’s perimeter. Ensuring your trusted policies are adhered to disregards the deployment or user location.

Proper ‘onion layering’ of security controls is key to cloud security. Data encryption prior to its transfer aids in maintaining safety alongside open access methods like SAML which could provide remote access control while keeping user directory control. Following your own security protocols, regardless of the data’s location, gives peace of mind that your business remains secure while adopting cloud technologies.

The strength of cloud security heavily rests on its users – why should the digital infrastructure be any less secure than the physical one? Effectively executed, the cloud offers businesses agility, enhanced control, and flexibility for the application and data.

Ensure that your security protocols adapt as efficiently as the cloud platform you utilize.

Light edits were made in 2025 to improve clarity and relevance.