You'll find tens or even hundreds of books on cloud security. If the book is in plain enough English, a reader who is not highly technical (someone who doesn’t know what “the cloud” is) can gain helpful information. In addition to offering an understanding of cloud security in plain, easy-to-read English, there are a few key factors any of the best cloud security books would cover. Below are four of the categories you should look for when selecting a book on this subject.
Top Rated Cloud Security Books of April 2024
What is cloud technology?
Let's first define what cloud technology means. Although most people couldn't provide a definition for cloud technology (let's be honest), those people probably come in contact with the cloud every day and don't even know it. Cloud technology is simply services and tools that individuals and businesses access 100% on the internet. "The cloud" is referring to the internet.
Examples of cloud technologies include services that everybody has heard of and perhaps interacted with: Netflix is an example of cloud-based technology. Another example is Google Docs. These are more familiar services, but cloud technology is much more wide-reaching. Data storage is a common service cloud technology includes. Information can be stored in the cloud and accessed at any time, which is helpful when computers crash and locally stored data is lost. Networking services are available online. A good example would be Microsoft 365.
The range of cloud-based technology is nearly endless, from software to databases. From analytics to artificial intelligence. If a device has the ability to connect to the web, and a reliable internet connection can be established. access to the cloud and the technology within is always available. And this leads us to the next area of discussion.
What are the benefits of cloud services?
Arguably the biggest benefit to working through the could is that data storage and doesn't have to take up space on one's computer. Cloud services offer unlimited storage capabilities, and data is easily accessed as needed. Many individuals and companies are moving to cloud storage, particularly those who have gone through the frustrations of having lost valuable data previously.
Another benefit, particularly to businesses, is that users only need to pay for the services that best fit their business needs. In cases where physical hardware would be needed, as well as trained employees who can use the hardware, the costs of those items are eliminated completely. Companies have access to the latest applications without having to install anything on their own computers. The cloud service provider deals with the purchase and maintenance of necessary hardware.
Another huge benefit is the reliability and mobility cloud services provide. The internet is never going to "crash." Information that is stored there will remain stored there until it is removed manually. Also, because any device that has an internet connection can access the cloud, individuals can quickly access information from just about anywhere. In 2021 and moving forward, mobility is just as critical for business and reliability. You may ask, "but is it safe?" we'll get into that discussion now.
What is cloud security and why it is important?
In general, the need for cloud security is obvious in a world of cyber-attacks, leaked data, and stolen sensitive information. Cloud security simply is the set of measures that cloud service providers take to ensure that their clients' data is only accessed and seen by the individuals who are supposed to have access to it. Specific methods to initiate security differ from provider to provider, but the main tactics include implementing user authentication tactics for users and devices, monitoring data access permissions, and providing tools and policies that restrict data as necessary (data privacy).
If you imagine what types of information that’s in your own possession right now (bank account information, social security information, medical information, etc), and then you imagine that anybody on the world wide web suddenly had access to that information, you'll understand why cloud security is so important. It's perhaps the most important aspect of cloud service. Trends show that more companies will move to cloud-based solutions in the future. Trends have also shown that cyber hackers are getting more sophisticated. An individual or a company must know that data in the cloud is secure.
What are the types of cloud security?
As already stated, security implementation methods differ from company to company, but there are a few common tactics universally used by cloud service providers. Many times, these different measures are used in conjunction with other methods mentioned below, and still other methods are not mentioned here. Following are a few of these methods:
A firewall is a term used that to describe what is basically a barrier. This barrier acts as a buffer between a private network and the public internet. The firewall operates by monitoring traffic coming in and going out of the private network and filters the information based on security policies set by the company.
Tokenization is a system where data is turned into a meaningless string of characters, and should that string of characters get breached, the information can not be pieced back together. The original data and the string created from the data are stored in a token vault. This is the only way the information can be deciphered. Token vaults are usually further secured by encryption.
Many companies use what's called penetration testing to search out weaknesses in their security. These tests literally try to compromise aspects of the security system to break through deeper into a system's database. Essentially, hackers do everything they can to break into a system, and if any vulnerabilities are discovered, those vulnerabilities are reported.
Still, other companies offer virtual private networks (commonly known as VPNs), which encrypt internet connections and conceal the identities of VPN users. VPN technology makes tracking individual internet usage much more difficult.
If you're looking for information on cloud security, books that cover these four topics in depth are where you need to start. Again, there is a lot of information available. Finding answers to the questions you seek may take time, but it shouldn't be too difficult.
