Encryption and data protection

Encryption and data protection are critical aspects of cloud security, aiming to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access, theft, and tampering. In the context of cloud computing, where data is stored, processed, and transmitted across networks, encryption plays a vital role in ensuring data confidentiality and integrity. Let’s delve into the details of encryption and data protection in the cloud, along with some of the tools and services available for this purpose.

Encryption techniques:

• Data-at-rest encryption: This form of encryption ensures that data remains encrypted when it is stored in databases, disks, or other storage systems. Even if an attacker gains unauthorized access to the underlying storage, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key.
• Data-in-transit encryption: Data-in-transit encryption protects data while it is being transmitted between different cloud services or between cloud and on-premises environments. This ensures that data remains secure during transmission and cannot be intercepted by eavesdroppers.
• End-to-end encryption: End-to-end encryption ensures that data remains encrypted throughout its entire journey, from the source to the destination, without being decrypted at intermediate points. This approach provides the highest level of data protection.

Encryption tools and services:

• AWS Key Management Service (KMS): AWS KMS is a fully managed service that allows users to create and control encryption keys to protect their data stored in AWS services and custom applications. KMS offers both data-at-rest and data-in-transit encryption capabilities.

Figure 6.3 depicts the usage of encryption (AWS KMS) in a cloud environment:

Figure 6.3 – Cloud environment with compute, storage, and encryption services

• AWS CloudHSM: AWS CloudHSM provides dedicated Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) to securely generate, store, and manage cryptographic keys, ensuring a higher level of security for sensitive data.
• Azure Key Vault: Azure Key Vault is a cloud-based service in Microsoft Azure that allows users to manage keys, secrets, and certificates used for encryption and authentication.

Figure 6.4 depicts the usage of Azure Key Vault in an Azure cloud environment and how it can encrypt/decrypt the database layer:

Figure 6.4 – Azure Key Vault in the Azure cloud

• Google Cloud Key Management Service (KMS): Google Cloud KMS provides a centralized location to create, manage, and store cryptographic keys, offering a secure way to protect data in GCP. Let’s see how we can set up KMS in Google Cloud.