Your company isn’t the only one that has a reason to go to the cloud. Some people do it to save money on computer hardware. However, some companies go a step further and use outside vendors to help cut their own staffing requirements. It’s common for those who wish to outsource administration and other services to think this includes cybersecurity. However, does it work this way?

Is it safe to presume that cloud services provide web application security when you go to the cloud? No, that’s the quick answer. Long answer: it varies according to the type of cloud and services used. Let’s start with the fundamentals.

One cloud differs from the next.

Using the term “cloud” is too broad. almost identical in meaning to the word “computer,” but not quite. As with the differences between desktops and laptops (both of which are subcategories of computers), there are also significant differences between different types of clouds.

To further appreciate the distinctions between clouds, think of your IT infrastructure as a pie with several layers. For example, if you have a WordPress website, the hardware layer and integrated software are the initial layers. Then there’s the operating system to contend with. Then comes the web server and the application server, which constitute the foundation of the web (if applicable). On top of all that, you’ve got PHP and MySQL, as well as other components and technologies to consider. Then there’s the real online program, such as WordPress, on top of that. Then, there are a number of WordPress plugins available to you. Then there’s your personal WordPress content and settings.

clouds

If you don’t want to use the cloud, you don’t have to do anything. However, there are three broad forms of clouds, each of which has a distinct layer.

1.  Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Your server room is effectively eliminated when your assets are moved to an IaaS cloud (if you had one, to begin with). Your IaaS cloud provider will now be in charge of all of those distracting machines and tangles of wires, and they will be located in a location that is out of your direct control. Your servers will be managed by your administrators over the Internet, rather than on a local network.

Employees, partners, and others who need to use the systems you’ve moved to an IaaS cloud must now do so via the Internet. Web-based applications may be necessary in some circumstances, but this isn’t always the case with existing local network-based applications. Even though your new virtual server room does not support web applications, you can set up tunnels to connect to it.

Many IaaS providers claim to take care of your security for you. It’s largely about physical security, so they make sure no one breaks into the server factory and grabs a disk with your data. They can’t, however, do anything more. Though some network security or WAF protection may be provided, it is your administrators who are responsible for maintaining and enhancing it.

2.  Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Your server room is effectively eliminated when your assets are moved to an IaaS cloud (if you had one, to begin with). Your IaaS cloud provider will now be in charge of all of those distracting machines and tangles of wires, and they will be located in a location that is out of your direct control. Your servers will be managed by your administrators over the Internet, rather than on a local network.

Employees, partners, and others who need to use the systems you’ve moved to an IaaS cloud must now do so via the Internet. Web-based applications may be necessary in some circumstances, but this isn’t always the case with existing local network-based applications. Even though your new virtual server room does not support web applications, you can set up tunnels to connect to it.

Many IaaS providers claim to take care of your security for you. It’s largely about physical security, so they make sure no one breaks into the server factory and grabs a disk with your data. They can’t, however, do anything more. Though some network security or WAF protection may be provided, it is your administrators who are responsible for maintaining and enhancing it.

3.  Software as a Service (SaaS)

Only your data and configuration need to be managed when using a SaaS cloud. The cloud provider takes care of everything else. As long as the service provider makes all of the configuration options readily available, you won’t even need a web administrator to manage your online applications. The majority of your work is being done by third parties. You get a ready-to-use web application that you can easily customize to meet your business’s demands.

Imagine that you wish to move your WordPress site to the cloud in order to better comprehend the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Linux, Apache, PHP, MySQL (and then WordPress with plugins) are required if you choose IaaS. Only WordPress (in certain situations, Apache/PHP/MySQL) It must be installed and maintained if you choose PaaS. By choosing SaaS, you can access your WordPress instance via the admin interface, set it up, and start creating content right away.

Only the SaaS model of cloud computing can provide web application security solutions. Although each SaaS provider is unique, the scope of these services may not be comprehensive! ‘ Even though WordPress.com handles the essential security (updating the software to the latest version whenever it’s released), they may not care about the security of any plugins you install.

Summary

There are three major cloud types, and each has a distinct layer. Imagine your IT infrastructure as a multi-layered pie. All of these distracting machines and wires will now be managed by a cloud IaaS provider. Your servers will not be directly under your control. Many IaaS suppliers assert that they will handle your security.

It is primarily a matter of physical security, and no one is permitted to enter the server factory. Despite the fact that your new virtual server room does not support web applications, you can still access it using tunnels. With a SaaS cloud, only your data and configuration need to be handled. The vast majority of your labor is performed by outside parties. Some network security or WAF protection may be offered, but it is the responsibility of your administrators to maintain and enhance it.