Cloud computing provides customers a virtual computing infrastructure where they can store data and run applications. However, cloud computing also presents some unique security challenges as cloud operators are expected to manipulate client data without being fully trusted. From facilitating remote access to data, to the digitalization of the education system, cloud technology has touched our lives in more ways than we realize. Today, almost every application we use is powered by cloud computing. If you want to take business online (because that is where people are), you need to get your hands on this revolutionary technology as soon as possible.

Data security: a top concern in cloud adoption

As businesses outpace security regulations, corporate executives face privacy and security challenges that often catches them off-guard.

Check out – The top Cloud Security issues and how Hackers use them

While encryption is a basic technology that even privacy experts define as the cornerstone of security; Cloud encryption can be intimidating. The sheer number of encryption methods often confuses small to medium-sized businesses.

This is why, here we focus on how Cloud Cryptography can make your Cloud secure. Let’s begin with some introduction:

Cloud Cryptography uses encryption techniques to protect data used or stored in the Cloud. Any data hosted by cloud providers is protected with encryption, allowing users to access shared cloud services conveniently and securely. Cloud Cryptography protects sensitive data without delaying the delivery of information.

Cloud cryptography keeps your critical data secure even beyond your corporate IT environment, where that data is no longer under your control. Cryptography expert Ralph Spencer Power explains this as, “information in motion and information at rest are best protected by cryptographic security measures. In the Cloud, we don’t have the luxury of having actual, physical control over the storage of information, so the only way we can ensure that the information is protected is for it to be stored cryptographically, with us maintaining control of the cryptographic key.”

How Cryptography can secure Cloud Data?

Cryptography is a method that allows users to protect information and communications with the help of codes. You may have heard of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. This interchangeable digital means uses cryptography to verify asset transfer, control the creation of additional units, and shield transactions.



Cryptography brings the same level of security to cloud services by protecting data stored with encryption. Interestingly, cryptography can guard sensitive cloud data without delaying the transmission of information. Various companies define cryptographic protocols for their cloud computing to maintain a balance between security and efficiency.



Physical control over cloud storage is impossible. The only way to secure a piece of information is to protect it with cryptography while maintaining control over the cryptographic key. There are various types of cryptographic keys available for cloud security.

Cryptography is based on three algorithms:

1. Symmetric-key

2. Asymmetric-key

3. Hashing



Symmetric algorithms use one key for both encryption and data decryption. It does not require much computational power and works very high in encryption. The symmetrical systems provide a two-way system for users to ensure authentication and authorization. Unless the user has the key, the encrypted data is stored in the Cloud, and cannot be decoded.



Asymmetric algorithms use different keys for encryption and decryption. Here, each recipient requires a decryption key. This key is often referred to as the recipient’s private key. The encryption key usually belongs to a specific person or entity. This type of algorithm is considered the safest as it requires both keys to access a piece of specific information.



Hashing is one of the most important aspect of blockchain security. In the blockchain, information is stored in blocks and interconnected with cryptographic principles such as a string or chain. When a data block is added to the chain, a unique code or hash is assigned to the specific block. Hashing is mainly used for indexing and retrieving items in a database. It also uses two different keys for encrypting and decrypting a message. It also provides faster data retrieval.

Conclusion

Companies and enterprises need to take a data-centric approach to protect their sensitive information from advanced threats in this complex and emerging environment of virtualization, cloud services, and mobility.

Companies must implement security solutions that provide consistent protection for sensitive data, including the protection of cloud information through encryption and cryptographic key management. A comprehensive cloud security and encryption platform should provide strong access controls and key management capabilities, enabling enterprises to make extensive use of encryption, so that they can meet their security objectives.