Five Principles for Deploying and Managing Linux in the Cloud

Chapter 5. Principle 4: Ensure Your Linux VMs Are Secure and Backed Up

Probably the most important system management task is securing your data from threats. Following security is data backup, which is the backbone of a successful disaster recovery (DR) solution in the cloud. There are multiple ways to set up such a DR solution, depending on your recovery objectives.

This chapter explains the shared responsibility security model in cloud environments, the principles of backup and recovery in the cloud, and DR strategies in a cloud environment.

Security in the Cloud

A question asked by many potential cloud customers is, “How does the cloud provider help me ensure the security of my data?” Security in the cloud is somewhat different than security in an on-premise datacenter. When you move to the cloud, you share the security responsibilities with the cloud service provider.

Until recently, security concerns about cloud-based deployments have kept some potential organizations from moving to the cloud, but things have come full circle. Today, one can make a strong case that a key reason for moving to the cloud is the enhanced security provided by cloud deployments.

Note

According to the “RightScale 2018 State of the Cloud Report,” security is a challenge for 77% of respondents. It is the largest issue for enterprises starting out with the cloud. For intermediate and advanced users, cloud costs are the bigger challenge.

A Shared Responsibility Security Model in the Cloud

Cloud ...