The Cloud Security Survival Guide

For companies increasingly dependent on cloud services, security challenges abound. Here's a collection of articles, columns and audio to help IT security practitioners plot the right course.

By , Senior Editor

November 17, 2009 — CSO —

Virtualization and cloud computing let you simplify your physical IT infrastructure and cut overhead costs, but you've only just begun to see the security risks involved. Putting more of your infrastructure in the cloud has left you vulnerable to hackers who have redoubled efforts to launch denial-of-service attacks against the likes of Google, Yahoo and other Internet-based service providers. A massive Google outage earlier this year illustrates the kind of disruptions cloud-dependent businesses can suffer.

But since the benefits of cloud services are so robust, there's really no turning back. The key is for companies to be made aware of the risks and to have some security best practices to live by.

UPDATED 2/23/2011


ARTICLES

Cloud security: The basics
The Cloud Security Alliance and others are working to define security requirements for SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS cloud computing models.

A security checklist for cloud models
Key security issues can vary depending on the cloud model you're using. Vordel CTO Mark O'Neill looks at 5 critical challenges.

Real life tales of hybrid cloud security
Mixed IT infrastructures, including cloud and non-cloud systems, will be the norm at many companies for many years. Learn about key cloud security concerns and solutions from three early cloud users.

The Curse of Cloud Security
Seventh Annual Global Information Security Survey: Companies are clamoring for services in the cloud. But the biggest problem from a security perspective is that few understand what they're dealing with. (Second of a four-part series)

5 Mistakes a Security Vendor Made in the Cloud
Here's the cautionary tale of how one security vendor went astray in the computing cloud, and what customers can learn from it. (Part 3 in a series)

Cloud Security: Danger (and Opportunity) Ahead
In the first in his series of "Clearing the Cloud" columns, security expert Ariel Silverstone explores the dangers of cloud computing and outlines security best practices to make it work.

Clear Metrics for Cloud Security? Yes, Seriously
In the second installment of his series on "Clearing the Cloud," security expert Ariel Silverstone proposes some clearer definitions and metrics to improve cloud security.

OPINION

Cloud Security: Time to Smoke Another One?
CSOonline embarks on a series about cloud computing risks and how to minimize them. Here's how you, the reader, can be part of the solution.

Poison BlackBerry Devices in the Cloud
A security expert got headlines this week by declaring a new era of security dangers for those using mobile devices and cloud services. Why his concerns are justified.

Google FAIL and the Fog Over Cloud Security
Recent Google failures have renewed debate over whether it's foolish to trust the computing cloud. But the biggest threat remains our lack of understanding.

RESOURCE CENTER