Elements of Cloud Computing Security

Book excerpt: This book offers a thorough yet easy-to-read reference guide to various aspects of cloud computing security. It begins with an introduction to the general concepts of cloud computing, followed by a discussion of security aspects that examines how cloud security differs from conventional information security and reviews cloud-specific classes of threats and attacks. A range of varying threats in cloud computing are covered, from threats of data loss and data breaches, to threats to availability and threats posed by malicious insiders. Further, the book discusses attacks launched on different levels, including attacks on the hypervisor, and on the confidentiality of data. Newer types, such as side-channel attacks and resource-freeing attacks, are also described. The work closes by providing a set of general security recommendations for the cloud.