Ensuring Proper Access Control In Cloud By Moen Zaf Arsubmis

Ensuring Proper Access Control in Cloud by Moen Zaf Arsubmission Dat E

Ensuring Proper Access Control in Cloud by Moen Zaf Arsubmission Dat E

Implementing effective access control mechanisms is crucial for maintaining security in cloud computing environments. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services, safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring that resource access is restricted to authorized users becomes vital. Proper access control prevents unauthorized data breaches, mitigates insider threats, and maintains compliance with regulatory standards. This paper explores the importance of access control in cloud computing, examines various models and frameworks currently used, and analyzes innovative approaches like ontology-based models to address evolving security challenges.

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Cloud computing has revolutionized the information technology landscape by providing scalable, on-demand resources that facilitate flexible business operations. However, the distributed and multi-tenant nature of cloud environments introduces significant security vulnerabilities. Effective access control mechanisms are fundamental in ensuring that only authorized individuals can access specific data and resources, thereby safeguarding sensitive information from malicious actors and inadvertent breaches (Indu, Anand, & Bhaskar, 2018).

One of the primary motivations for robust access control in cloud environments stems from the inherent risks of third-party management. When cloud services delegate data management to third-party providers, organizations surrender a degree of control, which escalates security risks if access is not properly regulated (Hashizume, Rosado, Fernández-Medina, & Fernandez, 2013). The mismanagement or misconfiguration of access controls can result in unauthorized data exposure, data theft, or service disruptions. Consequently, selecting appropriate access control models becomes critical for cloud security.

Traditional access control models, such as Discretionary Access Control (DAC) and Mandatory Access Control (MAC), face limitations when applied to cloud environments. DAC, which allows data owners to specify access permissions, can be prone to misconfigurations and insider threats, while MAC, governed by centralized policies, might lack the flexibility required for dynamic cloud settings (Khan, 2012). Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) has gained popularity due to its simplicity and ease of management but still faces challenges in fine-grained policy enforcement across distributed cloud resources (Younis, Kifayat, & Merabti, 2014).

To overcome these limitations, advanced models such as attribute-based access control (ABAC) and ontology-based access control (OBAC) are being designed. ABAC leverages user, resource, action, and environmental attributes to define flexible, context-aware policies that adapt to the dynamic nature of cloud environments (Choi, Choi, & Kim, 2014). Similarly, ontology-based models utilize semantic reasoning and formal representations of security policies and relationships, enabling automated reasoning about access rights and policy conflicts (Choi, Choi, & Kim, 2014).

Ontology-based models, such as the Ontology-based Access Control Model (ONTO-ACM), enhance traditional frameworks by incorporating semantic understanding into access decisions, thus allowing for more nuanced and context-sensitive authorization (Choi, Choi, & Kim, 2014). These models facilitate interoperability between heterogeneous systems and enable automated policy enforcement, which is essential for complex cloud ecosystems.

Furthermore, recent research emphasizes the integration of multi-factor authentication, encryption, and continuous monitoring alongside access control mechanisms to bolster cloud security (Hashizume et al., 2013). Ensuring proper access control thus involves a layered security approach that combines technical controls with policy enforcement and real-time oversight. Additionally, implementing audit trails and compliance checks can help organizations detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts promptly.

In conclusion, securing cloud environments requires a comprehensive understanding of various access control models and their suitability to specific operational contexts. While traditional models provide foundational security, innovative approaches like ontology-based and attribute-based models offer the flexibility and intelligence needed to address current and future challenges. Adopting a layered security strategy that integrates these models with other security practices is imperative for organizations aiming to safeguard their cloud assets against evolving threats.

References

  • Choi, C., Choi, J., & Kim, P. (2014). Ontology-based access control model for security policy reasoning in cloud computing. Journal of Supercomputing, 67(3), 541–561.
  • hashing, K., Rosado, D. G., Fernández-Medina, E., & Fernandez, E. B. (2013). An analysis of security issues for cloud computing. Journal of Internet Services and Applications, 4(1), 1–13.
  • Indu, I., Anand, P. R., & Bhaskar, V. (2018). Identity and access management in a cloud environment: Mechanisms and challenges. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 21(2), 223–231.
  • Khan, A. R. (2012). Access control in cloud computing management. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 7(4), 447–451.
  • Younis, Y. A., Kifayat, K., & Merabti, M. (2014). An access control model for cloud computing. Journal of Information Security and Applications, 19(1), 45–60.

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