For the past decade, we have been building and designing applications for the desktop and laptop. Now, with the advent of cloud computing, most new applications are designed for mobile devices. This means that a majority of our data is stored in the cloud and not on our personal computers. However, storing data remotely on servers has some other disadvantages as well. People worry about security which is one reason why people hesitate to store their data in the cloud.
In this blog article, we’re going to discuss some of the most important security and risk management concerns for a CNA, as well as what steps you can take to mitigate these risks. We’ll also briefly touch on contemporary technology trends and how they impact cloud-native applications.
What is a Cloud Native Application?
A cloud native application is one that is designed to run in a cloud computing environment. These applications are often built using microservices, which are small, independent services that work together to form a larger application. Cloud native applications are typically more scalable and easier to manage than traditional monolithic applications.
Security is a critical concern for any type of application, but it is especially important for cloud native applications. These applications are often deployed in environments that are shared with other tenants, so it is important to ensure that data and resources are properly isolated. In addition, because cloud native applications are typically distributed across multiple machines, it is important to have mechanisms in place to prevent data loss or corruption in the event of a failure.
Secure your Personal Server
Assuming you are using a personal server, there are a few key things you can do to ensure its security. First, make sure to keep your operating system up to date with the latest patches. Second, use a strong firewall to protect your server from unauthorized access. Finally, secure your server by encrypting all data stored on it.
How do you Monitor Network Traffic?
When it comes to monitoring network traffic, cloud-native applications have a few key advantages. First, they can take advantage of the fact that all traffic in a cloud environment is routed through a central network. This means that there is a single point of visibility for all traffic, making it much easier to monitor and identify any unusual or suspicious activity.
Second, cloud-native applications can make use of sophisticated monitoring tools that are designed specifically for cloud environments. These tools can provide detailed insights into network traffic patterns and trends, making it easy to identify potential security threats.
Finally, cloud-native applications can leverage the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automatically detect and respond to security threats. This means that they can constantly adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the business, providing an extra layer of protection against even the most sophisticated attacks.
Build an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with the ELK Stack
When it comes to securing a cloud-native application, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is an intrusion detection system (IDS). An IDS can help you detect and respond to attacks on your application, as well as monitor for suspicious activity.
There are many different IDS solutions on the market, but one that is particularly well-suited for cloud-native applications is the ELK stack. The ELK stack is a set of open-source tools that includes Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana. These tools can be used together to create a powerful IDS solution.
Elasticsearch is a distributed search and analytics engine that can be used to store and analyze log data. Logstash is a data processing pipeline that can be used to ingest, transform, and ship log data. Kibana is a visualization tool that can be used to create dashboards and visualizations of log data.
Together, these tools can be used to build an IDS solution that meets the needs of your cloud-native application.
Keep Sensitive data safe with Data Encryption
As the world moves more and more of its data and applications to the cloud, it’s important to consider security from the outset. One of the key security considerations for cloud-native applications is data encryption.
Data encryption is a process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access the data. Data encryption is a critical part of keeping sensitive data safe, whether it’s in transit or at rest.
There are various types of data encryption algorithms, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to choose an algorithm that is appropriate for the type of data being encrypted and the level of security required.
When encrypting data at rest, it’s important to use a strong encryption algorithm such as AES 256-bit. This will ensure that even if the data is stolen, it will be very difficult for attackers to decrypt it. For data in transit, SSL/TLS encryption is typically used. This provides a good level of security, but it can be vulnerable to certain types of attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks.
It’s also important to consider how you will manage keys used for encryption. Keys should be stored securely and rotated on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to use different keys for different types of data. For example, you could use one key for encrypting databases, another key for encrypting application code, and another key for encrypting backups.
The Three Types of Attack Vectors in Cloud Native Applications
There are three types of attack vectors in cloud native applications:
1. Resource starvation: This type of attack vector exploits the fact that cloud resources are finite. By consuming all available resources, an attacker can prevent other users from accessing them. This can lead to denial of service for legitimate users.
2. Information leakage: This type of attack vector exploits vulnerabilities in the way data is stored and transmitted in a cloud environment. By gaining access to sensitive data, an attacker can gain valuable information that can be used to exploit other systems or individuals.
3. Malicious code injection: This type of attack vector exploits vulnerabilities in the way applications are built and deployed in a cloud environment. By injecting malicious code into an application, an attacker can gain control of it and use it to carry out attacks on other systems or individuals.