Cloud Computing

Every cloud computing service relies on the same remote infrastructure for a conceptual framework. Servers located in the data center power this framework. As there are a lot of similarities between them, we can consider this computing system as a pyramid with three layers. Every layer has its own specialty. However, the basic infrastructure is the same. Lower layers of the cloud computing system are broader, representing their customizability, versatility, and have a wide application range. The upper layers have a specific purpose to follow, so they are narrower. Below, you will find three cloud computing types and their difference to understand all the layers individually:

1.    IaaS

This cloud computing system is the foundation of the pyramid. Infrastructure as a Service is very flexible and compressive among all other cloud services that are available. With this computing system, you receive a virtualized infrastructure of cloud computing you can manage and provision through the cloud provider endpoints. The IaaS provider manages and controls all the physical infrastructures such as data storage space, servers, etc. This way, the customer can customize their virtualized resources according to their requirements. With Infrastructure as a service, you can buy virtual machines and install, organize, and manage any software you want to use. This includes applications such as development tools, business analytics, applications, middleware, and operating systems. Furthermore, you only have to pay for the virtual machine you are using. This will facilitate you in scaling your computing requirements as you need without building any additional capacity. Examples of IaaS are GCE (Google Compute Engine), AWS (Amazon Web Services), EC2, and Microsoft Azure virtual machines.

2.    PaaS

This computing system comes above IaaS in the cloud computing pyramid. Not like IaaS, Platform as a Service more specialized. Instead of providing a virtual machine to you, you get a specific purpose resource in the cloud, which you can put your workload on / or automate your cloud process. In the IaaS model, the customer is responsible for OS-level patching and maintenance. But in the PaaS model, those layers are hidden from the customer, and they can just focus on specific use cases. Microsoft Azure App Services, Apache Stratos, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Google App Engine are examples of Platform as a Service.

3.    SaaS

Many people are familiar with this type of cloud computing. SaaS is located at the highest level of the pyramid. Software as a Service is a completely developed software solution that you can instantly use through the internet after purchasing the subscription. Software as a service is responsible for managing data, operating systems, infrastructure, and middleware that is really important for delivering the program and to make sure that wherever and whenever a customer needs access, they always find it available. There is numerous software as service applications that you can directly run on your web browsers without the need for downloading and installing the application. This way, companies can reduce their software management problems for IT teams, and the company can streamline and simplify their operations with multi-cloud and hybrid deployments. The examples of Software as a Service are Google Apps, Salesforce, Cisco WebEx, and Microsoft Office 365.

Conclusion

Cloud computing has changed how companies all over the world operate, something that most people are unable to realize yet. It is essential to understand the types of cloud computing and choose the right one for your business to grow. Cloud computing is increasingly growing, which is opening many new opportunities for businesses looking forward to driving the results of their business and innovating.

How SQL Injection Attacks Work

 

Compared to other forms of cyber attacks, the SQL injection can be more complex and require some sophisticated coding skills. SQL is a declarative coding language that is specifically used to manage data. Essentially, an SQL attack technique works by inserting malicious code into applications. This changes the way databases respond to queries and allows hackers to gain access to user information, delete and edit code, create administrative rights and open a more permanent backdoor to the database. SQL injection attacks are a particularly damaging cyberattack that can affect a business both in the short and long term.

Why SQL Injection Attacks on are the Rise

According to a study by Akamai, SQL injection attacks represented 65% of all web based attacks between November 2017 and March 2019. This is a significant increase over previous years and the US is both receiving the most attacks and the largest source of attacks. The study also found that the gaming industry is being targeted. Hackers are able to gain login credentials from gaming accounts and then use this information to try to login to other accounts. This approach relies on the fact that most people use the same login information for multiple accounts.

The Infamous Heartland Attack

One of the biggest data breaches in history was the result of an SQL injection attack. In 2008, Heartland Payment Systems, which was the sixth largest payment processor at the time, discovered a major data breach that resulted in over 100 million cards being compromised. This sophisticated attack was launched by a team of hackers who identified SQL vulnerabilities and then made changes to the code so that they could remain undetected and collect sensitive card information. This data was then sold to other parties who could use it for their own criminal purposes.

Preventing SQL Injection Attacks

The best way to prevent any cyber attack is to understand your vulnerabilities. This means regularly running tests and updating and patching applications as needed. You can run manual tests or use automated testing tools for continuous monitoring. It is also important to use a firewall to help filter data and identify new vulnerabilities as they arise.

The nature of SQL injection attacks make them difficult to detect and damaging. For these reasons, they are becoming an increasingly popular form of cyber attacks and should be taken into account when creating any cloud security plan. If you want to learn more about SQL injection attacks and how you can work to protect your business, contact the team at prancer. We specialize in cloud security and compliance through validation frameworks. Contact us today.

What is phishing cyber attack?

Essentially, phishing involves sending a malicious email that looks like it is coming from a reliable and credible source. The goal is to get the recipient to click on a link or take other actions that will result in the hacker gaining access to data. This clever type of attack combines taps into our natural inclination to trust certain sources and uses technical bait to get us to download malware or send personal information.

Phishing tends to cast a rather wide net and hope that a few people will trust the email. However, there is a more targeted approach known as spear phishing. With this type of attack, the hacker actually conducts research on the target and creates a personal message. This makes it more likely that the recipient will trust the message. In some cases, the hacker will use the name of a familiar sender, including a co-worker or company. The email may also use a cloned website to make links appear credible and use the illegitimate website to collect login credentials or other data. Because of its targeted nature, spear phishing is difficult to identify and protect against.

It can be easy to fall victim to phishing cyberattacks, especially if you don’t know how they work or what to look out for as you check emails. A little education can go a long way in identifying potential problems and avoiding this type of attack. Keep in mind that even personalized emails can be a form of spear phishing, so take the time to verify the sender and any links as you work your way through your inbox. For more information about cloud security, phishing, and ways to prevent this type of attack, contact the experts at prancer.

Lessons from the Twilio Breach

The Twilio breach is another reminder that no matter how advanced and automated IaC and cloud technology becomes, it is still fundamentally a human system and that means that mistakes can be made. In addition, it shows that businesses have to be more careful even when it comes to open-source collaboration. Some assets should be publicly accessible so that users can view and create files, but there needs to be authentication and access gateways for other assets. Ultimately, the company did the best they could in the situation. You can’t prevent attacks, but you can create systems that will quickly identify problems so that you can immediately respond. Twilio also received praise from industry experts for being transparent about the incident and how they responded. This helps others to learn and hopefully avoid similar situations.

Ultimately, IaC is a valuable tool that represents a major evolution in technology. However, it is not a perfect system. Misconfiguration continues to be a top security concern. If you need help improving IaC security and ensuring continuous compliance, contact prancer. We specialize in cloud validation frameworks that will help you make the most of IaC and cloud technology.