Securing the Cloud for Big Data

Abstract

This chapter explores how organizations can seek to secure a public cloud environment for use in big data operations. It begins by describing the challenges that cloud customers face when moving to the cloud, and proposes that these challenges can be summarized as a loss of control and visibility into the systems and controls around data. The chapter identifies thirteen areas where visibility and control can be lost, before progressing to highlight ten solutions to help regain these losses. It is proposed that planning is the most significant step a customer can take in ensuring a secure cloud for big data. Good planning will enable customers to know their data and pursue a risk-based approach to cloud security. The chapter provides insight into future research directions, highlighting research areas which hold the potential to further empower cloud customers in the medium to long term.