What is Access Control in Cloud Computing: Grab All Knowledge Upon It
We have entered into an arena where data security either on the cloud or local machine/server is extremely important than anything else – especially in the world of business. Every year, the average price of data breach increases with no sight of an end so far. These days cyber attacks are coming more in notice with the passing of each day. As much as there is an increase of businesses shifting towards cloud, the cloud storage is becoming a major concern for security. So, in such case, Access Control Solution is the only way through which data remains protected on digital storage platforms.
Introduction on Access Control in Cloud Computing
The term ‘Access Control’ refers to a particular area, which is restricted to the certain set of rules while working with a file. Talking on the basis of cloud computing then, the actual data owner will impose specific restrictions on files, which are stored in the cloud. It is the full right of an owner that whom he/she wants to give legal authority to work with the data. While on the other hand, users (working under the owner) will not be able to open or read that cloud data. The Access control in cloud computing involves 4 tasks to be performed:
- Authorization
- Authentication
- Access Approval
- Audit
This program works in a way that it makes the overall decision to reject or grant permission from the existing authenticated entity. The policies appended by Access Control services are like Device restriction, IP restriction, etc., for ensuring that only the authorized person can operate confidential cloud data both from inside and outside the organization.
Importance of Access Control in Cloud Computing Field
One of the very basic reasons due to which businesses are transferring their work to the cloud is that this will provides data access to authentic users and the owner from anywhere at any time instance. Now, there is no more time left to handle business through physical hardware components to create a server. However, there are chances that the network crackers sitting over the internet can realize the occurrence of confidential data on the cloud and hence, use it for their benefit. This scenario arises one of the main cause of ‘why access control in cloud computing necessary’. This will help an individual to protect his/her cloud-based infrastructure by assuring that only authorized persons can work with critical files and no one else.
Types of Access Control
Now, readers must be completely cleared with a question that ‘why Access control system are important assets’. The same thing comes true for the home-based users also who places their personal photos, videos, PDFs, etc., on cloud storage. There are 5 major types of this solution available till today’s date:
- Discretionary Access Control: In this type of access control system, the main owner of the data decides that who all can work with which particular resource.
- Attribute-based Access Control: There are a certain set of organization’s policies based upon which access control is programmed/designed. This grants permission to users whosoever fulfills all the predefined demands for accessing secured cloud data.
- Identity-based Access Control: This is the more effective and efficient approach that manages activities and provides access as per the requirement of individual needs.
- Organization-based Access Control: OrBAC model provides users a policy designer to decide the security policies at the time of its implementation.
- Role-based Access Control: This is based upon the job title of an individual in the organization. This type of Access control in cloud computing removes all the discretion while providing accessing permission to the data. For instance, a simple employee must not be having permission to create a network account. This can only be created by the network administrator.
Conclusion
Availability of access control system in cloud computing is the important need in today’s scenario. Targeted attacks are rapidly increasing with an average of around 42% in the year 2012. Not to forgot the consideration of human errors and system crashes, which are also responsible for cybercrime attacks. This all is not to be stopped here, insiders causing these incidents are also increasing rapidly, breaking the trust of firm’s owner as well. These all situations explain that why access control services are required and what all permissions should be given to a person to work with core or critical data.