New Approaches to Security and Availability for Cloud Data, Essay Example

In this article the authors provide an overview of how cloud services work, identify several of the key barriers to implementation, and discuss the issue of security risks associated with cloud computing. Security risks involving cloud computing “are amplified by the large scale of the cloud.” (p.84). The authors suggest that encryption must be supported by real-time security auditing to make cloud computing secure. This will allow network security measures to find active threats quickly and focus resources on them before they can spread.

“Wireless Insecurity: Examining User Behavior on Public Networks”

This article discusses the way the use of public wifi “hotspots” leaves users vulnerable to a variety of security risks. The authors claim that many users are more concerned with the ease of use of these hotpots than whether they are safe. Users must take responsibility for their own safety when using public wifi connections, as the security vulnerabilities are likely to grow as more public connectivity becomes available. This should include the use of firewals and other protective measures.

“Hacking Point of Sale”

In the opening chapter of the book the author describes how electronic point-of-sale (POS) systems operate and explains how personal data and information are stored and transmitted both through physical systems and through wireless communication networks. This discussion includes an overview of the basic types of hardware used in retail outlets and other businesses. It also describes the basic types of payment cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards, and explains how the information on these cards can be easily stolen.

References

Chenoweth, T., Minch, R., & Tabor, S. (2010). Wireless insecurity: examining user security behavior on public networks. Communications Of The ACM, 53(2), 134–138.

Gomzin, S. (2014). Hacking Point of Sale : Payment Application Secrets, Threats, and Solutions (1st ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.

Juels, A., &Oprea, A. (2013). New approaches to security and availability for cloud data. Communications Of The ACM, 56(2), 64–73.