Virtualization security in the Cloud vs On-Premise
Virtualization security is one of the most critical components of cloud computing. As more and more companies adopt cloud technologies, it's important to evaluate virtualization security options in the cloud as compared to on-premise. This evaluation should yield a clear understanding of the options available and their benefits and drawbacks.
Cloud vs On-Premise
On-premise virtualization is a well-established technology, and security measures have been developed over time to suit this technology. However, cloud-based virtualization is a new technology, and the security measures need to keep up with this new technology. Both on-premise and cloud-based virtualization have pros and cons when it comes to security.
Advantages of Virtualization Security on the Cloud
Cloud-based virtualization has a few significant advantages when it comes to security.
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Scalability: The cloud offers scalable resources based on your company's needs. Cloud service providers ensure that security measures are updated regularly and that multiple security layers are in place.
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Redundancy: Cloud providers can implement advanced redundancy and backup solutions, ensuring that your virtual machines and critical data remain available even in the event of a major disaster.
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Better Infrastructure Security: Cloud providers typically offer more secure physical infrastructure than on-premise servers. They have advanced security solutions in place such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and threat intelligence.
Advantages of Virtualization Security on-Premises
On-premise virtualization still has some benefits when it comes to security.
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Direct Control: IT teams have complete control over the virtualization environment and can customize security solutions as needed.
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Simpler Security Measures: Since businesses have ultimate control over the configuration of their on-premise virtualization, security measures can be simpler and require less maintenance.
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Fewer Vulnerabilities: Cloud-based virtualization is often subjected to more cyber threats than an on-premise solution due to its public-facing nature. With on-premises, cybercriminals need to be physically present to infiltrate systems, making them less vulnerable to external cyber attacks.
Comparing Security Measures
When it comes to security, both on-premise and cloud-based virtualization have their strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, it's essential to understand the types of security measures that cloud service providers use to secure their platforms.
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Access Control: Cloud service providers have sophisticated systems in place to ensure that only authorized users have access. Cloud admins can set permissions, limit network access, and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms.
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Encryption: Cloud service providers can ensure that traffic between virtual machines and data storage is encrypted.
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Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Cloud providers can deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor traffic and block unauthorized access.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both on-premise and cloud-based virtualization have their advantages and disadvantages. Companies should choose the solution that best fits their unique needs. That being said, it's essential to keep in mind that cloud-based virtualization offers several advantages when it comes to security, especially when it comes to scalability, better infrastructure security, and redundancy.
If you are still not sure whether on-premise or cloud-based virtualization is right for your business, we recommend speaking to a specialist, such as Flare Compare, who can help you understand the differences and choose the solution that works best for you.
References
[1] Saravanan Shanmugam. "Virtualization Security" The Hacker News. https://thehackernews.com/2018/06/virtualization-security.html
[2] David Linthicum. "Cloud-Based Virtualization vs. On-Premises Virtualization" Cloud Technology Partners. https://www.cloudtp.com/2016/12/13/cloud-based-virtualization-vs-premises-virtualization/