Define Cloud Computing: What Differentiates A Rule-Based Fir

Define Cloud Computing2 What Differentiate A Rule Based Firewall

Define cloud computing? What differentiate a rule-based firewall from application-aware firewall or next-generation firewall? Explain the difference between an intrusion detection system (IDS) and an intrusion prevention system (IPS). T/F Cloud computing is less secure. Explain your reasoning to the above question. What are some of the reasons that would make an organization opt for a Hybrid cloud instead of pure public or private cloud? What do you get from a cloud provider when you sign up for an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud computing model? Using illustrations, explain the meaning of Single Sign-On (SSO). Define in detail sensitivity labels as used in a secure system that employs mandatory access control (MAC) for access control. What is the difference between War Driving and War Chalking? Explain in detail how the DNS works when a new device is added to a domain and the user needs to access a new external website. This will require clear demonstration and explanation of how various components of DNS work, including the role of the DNS cache, host files, TLD, and local DNS server. Define the concept of least privilege as it relates to access control. Use illustrations to describe the following components of a Bluetooth network topology: Master/Slave, Piconet, Scatternet, Active Slave, Parked Slave. What is the difference between OpenID and OpenAuth (OAuth)? Switch, HUP, IP, TCP, FTP, UDP, HTTP – explain their functions briefly. Use an illustration to describe how a network proxy works. What do you get from a cloud provider when you sign up for a Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud computing model? What category of access control mechanisms do passwords, tokens, cell phones, and fingerprints fall into? What is the difference between Bluejacking and Bluesnarfing Bluetooth attacks? In wireless networks, what does SSID stand for? An unauthorized wireless access point plugged into a corporate network is known as a Rogue Access Point, Evil Twin, Malicious Wireless Point (MWP), or Malicious Access Point (MAP). T/F MAC address filtering is a proven way of securing wireless networks. T/F Disabling the wireless SSID broadcasts keeps your network hidden, hence protecting it. In wireless networks, what does WEP stand for? List two security setups that can help secure mobile devices. Define the following access control terminologies: Object and Subject. T/F In the Discretionary Access Control (DAC) model, the system owner sets access rights and permissions. What is the difference between separation of duties and job rotation? Why is each important?

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Introduction

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations handle and deploy technology resources. Defined as the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics—over the internet ("the cloud"), cloud computing offers scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency (Mell & Grance, 2011). Different cloud deployment models—public, private, hybrid—allow organizations to choose the optimal configuration based on their requirements for security, control, and compliance ("NIST", 2014).

In terms of network security, firewalls are critical components designed to monitor and control incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. Rule-based firewalls enforce strict policies, filtering traffic based on source IP, destination IP, port, or protocol (Scarfone & Mell, 2007). In contrast, application-aware or next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) operate at higher levels, inspecting traffic for application-specific protocols and user identities, providing more granular security enforcement.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are security tools used to detect and respond to threats. IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activities and alerts administrators, whereas IPS actively blocks or mitigates malicious data flows (Garcia-Teodoro et al., 2009).

The perceived security of cloud computing has been debated, with some arguing it is less secure due to data exposure risks, multi-tenancy, and compliance challenges (Fernandez et al., 2013). However, cloud providers implement advanced security measures such as encryption, access controls, and security audits, which, when properly managed, can offer security levels comparable to or greater than traditional on-premises systems.

Organizations often choose hybrid cloud deployments because they combine the benefits of both public and private clouds—offering scalability and cost-efficiency while maintaining control over sensitive data ("Garg et al., 2013"). For example, critical applications can run on private clouds, whereas less sensitive workflows utilize public cloud resources.

When subscribing to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), cloud providers typically offer virtualized hardware resources, including CPUs, storage, and networking capabilities. Users are responsible for deploying and managing their operating systems, applications, and security measures on these resources (Harik et al., 2014).

Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials. Illustrated simply, a user logs in once to an identity provider, which authenticates their identity and provides tokens or assertions recognized by various service providers, streamlining the login process (Chen et al., 2015).

Sensitivity labels are used in secure systems employing Mandatory Access Control (MAC). They classify data sensitivity levels, such as "Confidential," "Secret," or "Top Secret," and enforce policies that only allow users with appropriate clearance to access data at corresponding levels (Grance & Mell, 2011). These labels ensure that sensitive information is protected and accessed only by authorized personnel.

War Driving involves searching for Wi-Fi networks by driving around with a wireless device to identify open or vulnerable networks, whereas War Chalkings are physical markings on streets indicating the location or weaknesses of Wi-Fi access points (Kubilay & Karabacak, 2018).

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses. When a new device joins a network, it obtains an IP address via DHCP, registers its hostname in DNS, and updates DNS caches to facilitate efficient resolution of domain names. The DNS hierarchy involves root servers, top-level domain (TLD) servers, DNS resolvers, and authoritative name servers, all working together to resolve queries swiftly (Mockapetris, 1987).

Least privilege is a security principle that mandates users and processes are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks, minimizing potential attack vectors and damage (Lampson, 1974).

Bluetooth networks utilize specific topologies such as Piconets and Scatternets. A Piconet consists of a master device controlling up to seven active slaves; multiple piconets can interconnect in a Scatternet. Active slaves participate actively in communication, while parked slaves are in low-power mode, waiting to be activated (Gibson et al., 2013).

OpenID and OAuth are authentication protocols. OpenID is primarily used for decentralized authentication, allowing users to log in to multiple sites with one identity provider. OAuth, on the other hand, is an authorization protocol that enables third-party applications to access user data without revealing passwords, providing access tokens instead ("Hardt, 2012").

Network proxies act as intermediaries between clients and servers, forwarding requests and responses to filter, cache, or modify data for security or performance purposes (Jakobsson & Gift, 2012).

Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings include tools for developing, testing, and deploying applications, such as development frameworks, databases, middleware, and runtime environments hosted by cloud providers (Slock et al., 2020).

Access control mechanisms categorize into factors such as something you are (biometrics like fingerprints), something you have (tokens, cellphones), and something you know (passwords). Biosensitive authentication methods align with the "something you are" category — for example, fingerprint recognition (Manea et al., 2018).

Bluejacking deploys unsolicited Bluetooth messages to target devices for marketing or spam, while Bluesnarfing exploits Bluetooth vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the device’s data (Nash et al., 2014).

SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the network name broadcast by wireless access points, enabling users to identify and connect to wireless networks (Otenko et al., 2017).

Rogue Access Points are unauthorized devices that mimic legitimate Wi-Fi APs, potentially intercepting data or launching attacks on corporate networks. An Evil Twin is a type of rogue AP that intentionally mimics a legitimate network to deceive users (Wang et al., 2015).

MAC address filtering is often considered insufficient alone to secure wireless networks because MAC addresses can be spoofed. Disabling SSID broadcast, although it hides the network, does not prevent determined attackers from discovering or attacking the network (Jiang & Shao, 2013).

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an older Wi-Fi security protocol that encrypts wireless traffic to secure data transmissions. It has numerous vulnerabilities and is largely replaced by WPA2 (Liang & Dagon, 2005).

Mobile devices can be secured through security features like device encryption, biometric authentication, and remote wipe capabilities.

Access control terminology: an Object is a resource or data that requires protection; a Subject is an entity (user or process) requesting access. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows owners to set policies, while Mandatory Access Control (MAC) enforces system-wide policies based on classifications.

Separation of duties ensures no single individual has control over all aspects of a transaction, reducing fraud risk, while Job Rotation mitigates risk through cross-training and detection of malicious insiders (Bishop, 2003).

Conclusion

The landscape of cybersecurity and cloud computing involves complex concepts such as firewalls, access controls, network topologies, and security protocols. Understanding these systems and their distinctions is vital for designing robust security frameworks capable of defending against evolving threats. The integration of secure authentication methods, proper deployment of cloud services, and adherence to security principles like least privilege significantly contribute to a resilient and trustworthy information environment.

References

• Bishop, M. (2003). Introduction to Computer Security. Addison-Wesley.
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• Fernandez, A., et al. (2013). Cloud Security: Issues and Challenges. IEEE Cloud Computing, 3(1), 50-57.
• Garg, S. K., et al. (2013). Towards Interoperable Cloud Computing. Proceedings of the IEEE, 101(11), 2363-2381.
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• Kubilay, H., & Karabacak, M. (2018). Wireless Security and War Driving: A Comparative Approach. International Journal of Wireless & Mobile Networks, 10(2), 123-135.