What Is Cloud Cryptography ?

What Is Cloud Cryptography ?

Cloud Cryptography is an encryption that protects data stored within the cloud. And,  in return, it allows those who have the cryptographic keys to access the server with ease and safety.

In short, the whole idea behind this measure is authentication.

Certainly, it allows users to conveniently and securely access shared cloud services. Cloud providers hosts the data and protects it with encryption.

Moreover, cryptography in the cloud protects sensitive data without delaying information exchange.

Concerns

  • Outsider security: Can other tenants, hackers, competitors access my data?
  • Insider security: Can the cloud operator (and its employees) access my data?
  • Intellectual property: Can the cloud operator (and its employees) access my data?
  • Compliance: If I move to the clouds, can I live accordingly?
  • Availability: Can I access my data or service at all times?
Cloud Cryptography
Cloud Cryptography

How does cloud cryptography work?

Cloud cryptography is based on encryption.

Encryption is used to secure two types of data known as:

  1. Information at rest
  2. Information in transit.

When data is stored electronically through a cloud, mobile device, apps, or even a computer hard drive. Then, we use information at rest.

Information in transit means this information is moving through connections online such as, apps or emails.

The encryption of data can take place in one of the following ways:

  • Pre-encrypted data synced with the cloud-

There is accessible software to pre-encrypt information before it reaches the cloud, making it impossible for anyone trying to hack to read it.

  • End-to-end encryption-

Senders and receivers send messages, whereby they are the only ones who can read them.

  • Full disk encryption-

If anyone saves file on an external device then, it will be encrypted automatically.

  • File encryption-

File encryption occurs when information is at rest.

Types of Cryptographic Algorithm

  1. Symmetric Key(Secret Key) Cryptographic Algorithm

It uses a single key for both encryption and decryption. It is primarily used for privacy and confidentiality.

DES, 3DES and AES are the most popular Symmetric-key Algorithms. We use it in cloud computing for cryptography.

2. Asymmetric Key(Public Key) Cryptographic Algorithm

It uses one key for encryption and another for decryption. It is primarily used for authentication, non-repudiation, and key exchange.

The algorithms used for cloud computing are DSA, RSA and Diffie-Helman Algorithm.

3. Hash Functions

It uses a mathematical transformation to irreversibly “encrypt” information. Also, it provides a digital fingerprint.

It is used for message integrity.  

Moreover, it utilizes two separate keys for encrypting and decrypting a message.

Benefits of cloud cryptography

  • Data remains private for the users. Therefore, it reduces cybercrime from hackers.
  • Enhanced Data Security
  • Cloud encryption allows organizations to remain active in their defense against data breaches and cyberattacks.

Drawbacks of cloud cryptography

  • Limited security to the data.
  • It needs highly advanced systems to maintain encrypted data.
  • The system must be scalable.

Conclusion

In short, companies must implement security measures that provide consistent protection of sensitive data, including the protection of cloud information through cryptographic key management.

So, we have learnt about how cloud cryptography works, its concerns and more.

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Nikita Shingade

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[…] are several ways to apply cryptography to cloud data. Before transferring data to the cloud, many companies prefer to encrypt […]