Examining the Safety of the Big 3 Cloud Providers: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud

The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in a significant rise in cyber-security attacks, primarily as a consequence of businesses transferring to cloud-based services and insufficient familiarity with network and security measures. This has created an opening for cyber-criminals to breach systems, obtain confidential information or commandeer valuable assets.

There is a common misconception that hackers and cyber-criminals solely concentrate on larger corporations. However, this is not accurate, as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also an attractive objective for malicious activity owing to their limited familiarity with current security practices and the vulnerability of their cloud infrastructures to being compromised.

A fellow staff member of mine recently uncovered that their Amazon Web Services account had been hacked as a result of an error made by one of their less experienced developers. The offender was able to swiftly change the highest allowable quantity of machines being utilized to extract cryptocurrency.

Amazon’s prompt response in restoring access and establishing the precise moment of the breach allowed them to undo any illicit modifications and invalidate any charges that were incurred. This account stands as proof of the advantages provided by cloud technology.

Cloud services are transforming the way that companies access computing resources, enabling them to do so effortlessly and only pay for what they need. When considering moving to the cloud, it is vital to assess which provider has the most effective security features. This post seeks to compare the security mechanisms employed by various cloud service providers to assist with the decision-making process.

Approach Founded on Collaborative Endeavors

In safeguarding confidential data in the cloud, there is no sole solution. It is not just a matter of activating a feature; it is the user’s responsibility to make sure that private keys are not disclosed in public GitHub repositories. Cloud service providers can only do so much to protect data, which explains the presence of the Shared Responsibility Model (SRM).

The framework of the Shared Responsibility Model (SRM) can assist companies in defining their responsibilities, as well as those of their Cloud Service Provider (CSP), in upholding data security. The shared obligation between both parties shapes the total cloud security. Companies can find it challenging to determine who is liable for what without having a grasp of the cloud security terrain, particularly when various organizations have distinct regulations for the shared responsibility model.

Azure

Microsoft’s method for shared responsibility segregates responsibilities into three categories that may differ based on the type of service offered. Microsoft is known for this approach.

  • Initially, the customer may bear responsibility for any problems that occur. This entails documents, data, devices, smartphones, internet accounts and authorizations. In brief, the user is accountable for all facets of their network access.
  • For the second category, the distribution of responsibilities changes based on the situation. It is not always straightforward to identify who is liable for any problems that arise; it could be either Microsoft or the user.
  • For the third form of cloud, the provider is exclusively responsible for the physical infrastructure and connected operating system (be it servers, networks, or other components).

AWS

In comparison, Amazon has a clear stance: the responsibility falls on customers to set up their own networks and firewalls for data saved in the cloud. Amazon is a dependable source for cloud services. Conversely, Azure does not permit any concessions.

Google Cloud

Google Cloud provides an advanced responsibility matrix model that offers a comprehensive breakdown of each service. Although it may appear more intricate than the other approaches, it is relatively straightforward to comprehend and follow.

Which is More Secure: AWS, Azure, or the Cloud?

Next, we will explore the distinctions and resemblances among the security solutions provided by the three companies.

Excellent solutions are offered by Azure, AWS, and Google to avert Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults. Each company has its own mechanism – Azure has its DDoS Prevention System, AWS offers AWS Shield, and Google provides Cloud Armor – with minor differences between them.

For secure storage of keys, certificates, secrets, and other cryptographic evidence, Microsoft Azure KeyVault is a reliable option. Google Cloud has its own similarly capable service, known as Secret Manager. Moreover, Amazon Web Services provides Secret Manager that can competently store certificates, in addition to fulfilling its designated purpose of protecting secrets.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is provided by all three companies as a reliable way to restrict access to servers. For both site-to-site and point-to-site connectivity, both Azure and AWS offer options, with Azure supporting up to a maximum of 30 connections, compared to AWS’s maximum of 10. Google Cloud, on the other hand, offers only site-to-site connections, which puts it behind its competitors.

When it comes to safeguarding data, Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies, Firewall rules (including IP whitelisting), and TLS encryption while in transit are offered by all three systems. All three services offer similar features and usability, making it a closely contested battle.

It is significant to mention that each cloud platform’s customers have access to a marketplace where they can obtain applications from external vendors to fulfill their security needs. In this regard, AWS and Azure are the top choices, while Google Cloud is working towards closing the gap.

Which Cloud Service Should You Trust the Most?

It is a challenging task to give a definitive response as all three alternatives are equally secure, each with its advantages and drawbacks. However, it is crucial to take note of the fact that eighty percent of reported data breaches in recent years have been due to internal security lapses or inadequate security measures.

Taking adequate precautions, the cloud is a secure platform for storing data. Concerning user experience and assistance, AWS and Azure may be considered superior to Google Cloud. It can be stated with confidence that AWS provides exceptional security support by their staff.

When designing a secure cloud architecture, it is crucial to take into account the security measures provided by the selected cloud provider.

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