Cloud Security Concerns
Public cloud computing environments present unique challenges. The most significant concern stems from the lack of direct physical control over server infrastructure. As these servers are managed and owned by third-party providers, organizations cannot implement or enforce their physical security measures. This concern is frequently emphasized in EC-Council's CISO guidance as it directly affects the CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) triad.
Impact of Physical Access Control
Confidentiality: Without physical control, organizations risk unauthorized physical access, potentially leading to data breaches.
Integrity: Physical tampering can compromise system configurations, software, or data integrity.
Availability: Physical tampering may result in downtime or service disruption.
Comparative Analysis of Options
B. Unable to track log on activity: Public cloud providers offer robust logging and monitoring tools, making this concern manageable with proper configurations.
C. Unable to run anti-virus scans: Cloud environments support anti-virus solutions and endpoint protections at various levels.
D. Unable to patch systems as needed: Public cloud providers facilitate regular patching through automated solutions and shared responsibility models.
EC-Council CISO References
Control and Oversight: EC-Council emphasizes understanding the shared responsibility model. While the cloud provider manages physical infrastructure, organizations are responsible for data and application security.
Mitigation Strategies: Implementing robust contractual agreements and auditing mechanisms ensures that the provider adheres to industry-standard physical security controls.
Conclusion
Among the listed concerns, the inability to control physical access to servers is the most pressing for public cloud computing due to the potential direct impact on the overall security posture. By prioritizing this, organizations align their risk management strategies with the EC-Council's frameworks for cloud security.
