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ecurity is (arguably) the predominant reason most people harbor apprehensions about cloud computing. The bad publicity that cloud computing has sufered has, in some ways (at worst), set its development back a number of years and (at best) caused a great deal of individuals to think twice about cloud computing. While cloud computing security concerns are certainly not unfounded, they have been blown out of proportion. The truth is that any computer network whether it be cloud or grid-based could be at risk (in terms of security) given that certain protective measures aren’t put into place and established guidelines aren’t followed. However, security for cloud computing is implemented and managed in ways that may be unfamiliar (even to those who have handled network security before), which also causes people to develop apprehensions.

Unfortunately, there are many ways that an intruder or miscreant can undermine cloud network security. However, with emerging technologies coming online that are designed to essentially monitor all trafc and data exchanges occurring within a cloud, it’s soon going to get a lot harder for people to compromise security standards. This leads us to the obvious question: what are the principal security concerns in the world of cloud computing right now?

• Investigating purported breaches of security and illegal activity

• Enduring logistical/business presence • Segregating data • User access

• Compliance with regulations and guidelines • Emergency/Recovery/Contingency plans