Cloud Cryptography

25 April 2023

In the implementation of cloud computing, organizations can use online IT services without having to maintain physical servers. Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure are three common cloud computing services.

Cloud computing has created security concerns, such as cyberattacks and data breaches. Spear-phishing is an example of a cloud security breach, and one way to increase security is to use cloud cryptography. Cloud cryptography provides a high level of security by encrypting data stored in the cloud. Cloud providers encrypt data stored in the cloud, allowing users to access shared services securely and protect private information without hindering information sharing.

Cloud cryptography provides a layer of defense to secure cloud data and prevent breaches, hacks, and virus impact, allowing users to access shared cloud services safely and easily. Sensitive data is protected without slowing down information delivery.
Businesses predominantly encrypt data before storing it in the cloud so that only those with the proper authorization and decryption keys may decode it. Once received, data can be encrypted by other cloud services, which will make sure that any data they transit or store is encrypted by default. Even if a particular cloud service does not allow encryption, it should nonetheless use HTTPS or SSL-encrypted keys to secure data transmission.

Cloud Cryptography Working

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) provides security guidance for critical areas of focus in cloud computing. Cloud cryptography should be included in cybersecurity plans, as conventional security measures cannot secure it.

1. Data-in-transit:

Data-in-transit cloud encryption is used to secure the information channel used when visiting websites on the internet. This will be achieved by enclosing a secure channel in an encryption layer which is called a Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

SSL encrypts data exchanged between an endpoint and the website it is viewing, preventing hackers from accessing it when the channel is compromised.

2. Data-at-rest:

Sensitive information can be protected by encrypting data. While it is being kept and distributing decryption keys only to authorized personnel. The hard drive manufacturers are now providing self-encrypting devices which adhere to trusted storage criteria for cloud cryptography. Drives with the built-in encryption circuitry provide automated encryption at a low cost and with little performance.

3. Legal and regulatory issues:

Clients must have legal and regulatory experts examine the policies and practices of their cloud provider to ensure they have rules and practices that address legal and regulatory challenges. Factors such as data security, export, compliance, auditing, data retention and destruction, and legal discovery should be considered. Trusted Storage and TPM access approaches can be effective at limiting access to data in the areas of deletion and retention.

4. Authentication:

User authentication is essential for cloud access control, as it keeps bad guys out while facilitating easy access for authorized users.

5. Customer Separation:

Cloud security concerns involve segregating users of a cloud provider to prevent accidental or deliberate access to critical data. Virtual machines and hypervisors are used to divide clients, but cloud cryptography can improve VM and network isolation.

Cloud Cryptography Implementation

Data stored in the cloud cannot be physically controlled. Cloud encryption can be used to protect data and communications. Without hindering information flow, cloud data encryption can secure asset transfer and safeguard confidential data.

By encrypting data stored in the cloud without affecting data transport speed, cloud cryptography increases security for cloud services. Cryptographic methods are developed by businesses to strike a balance between security and effectiveness. For cloud security, the following cryptographic formulas are used.

1. Symmetric Algorithm:

By automatically encrypting crucial data whenever login credentials are provided, this encryption method eliminates the need for manual encryption and decryption. It uses less computer resources and runs at a high level of encryption. To assure validation and approval, symmetrical algorithms employ two-way keys. Without the client’s knowledge of the key, it is impossible to decrypt the encrypted data that is kept on the cloud.

Depending on the cloud service provider, key management is crucial for enterprises that employ a variety of cryptographic key types or encryption keys. Your key management system should assist you in keeping track of each encryption key if you collaborate with several cloud service providers or function in various cloud settings.

Several well-liked symmetric algorithms used in cloud computing include:

• The Standard for Advanced Encryption (AES)
• Common Data Encryption (DES)
2. Asymmetric Algorithm:

Different types of keys will be used for the encryption and decryption in asymmetric algorithms. Typically, a particular person or an organization will be the owner of the encryption key. This algorithm is considered as the safest since it requires both keys to access particular information.

The Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA), RSA, and Diffie-Helman Algorithms are used in cloud computing.

Several well-liked asymmetric algorithms used in cloud computing include:

• Rivest Shamir Adleman Algorithm (RSA)
• Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)
3. Hashing:

Hashing is an important part of blockchain security, as it assigns a unique code or hash to each data block when it is added to the chain. It is used to index and retrieve objects, encrypt and decode communications, and make data retrieval speedier. It also uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt messages, making information retrieval faster.

Advantages of Cloud Cryptography:

1. Data Security:

Cloud cryptography protects sensitive data from being exposed in cloud computing without slowing down information sharing.

2. Data Privacy:

Cloud cryptography protects confidential data from unauthorized access by keeping it secret and using cryptographic methods such as MAC and digital signatures against spoofing and forgeries. This reduces the likelihood of fraud by unauthorized users by alerting them when they try to access the data.

3. Trust:

Having a secure and protected data storage system can foster trust in a business and help them grow. Some businesses opt to encrypt data even when they are not allowed by privacy legislation to show their customers that they value their privacy.

4. Users:

Cloud cryptography has strict security measures, allowing only those with cryptographic keys to make changes.

5. Integrity:

Cryptographic hash functions are essential for ensuring data accuracy and consistency. To increase quality, businesses use methods like data cleansing, which is a great place to start.

6. Accessibility:

Modern encryption technology allows users to securely access data on any device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers.