IoT Security vs Cloud Security - What's the Difference?
The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing are two of the most talked-about technologies today. Both of these technologies have been revolutionary in their respective fields and have changed the way we work and live. IoT has enabled us to automate processes, gather data, and create a smarter environment. On the other hand, cloud computing has allowed us to store data, run applications, and scale infrastructure.
When it comes to security, IoT and cloud computing have different security needs, challenges, and risks. In this blog post, we will highlight the main differences between IoT security and cloud security and what makes them unique.
IoT Security
IoT devices are connected to the internet and communicate with other devices via networks using wireless protocols. IoT devices can be classified into two categories, consumer and industrial. Examples of consumer IoT devices include smart home appliances, fitness trackers, and voice assistants. Industrial IoT devices include sensor systems, medical devices, and manufacturing equipment.
IoT security is a key concern because it involves the collection, processing, and transmission of sensitive data. The following are some of the factors that make IoT security unique:
Scalability
One of the characteristics of IoT devices is scalability. IoT devices can be deployed in a large number and can be distributed across different geographical locations. This feature makes it difficult to manage security because security risks are not limited to a single node in the network but may span across multiple devices.
Resource Constraints
Another characteristic of IoT devices is resource constraints. These devices have limited memory, processing power, and energy. As a result, traditional security solutions may not be feasible because they require more resources.
Diversity
IoT devices are diverse in terms of the operating systems, software stacks, and hardware architectures they use. This makes it difficult to create a unified security system that can work across all devices.
Lack of Standards
Unlike cloud computing that has well-established standards, IoT security standards are still evolving. This makes it difficult to create a standardized security architecture that can work across different devices and platforms.
Cloud Security
Cloud computing involves storing data, applications, and infrastructure in a distributed computing environment. These resources are hosted in data centers managed by cloud providers. Examples of cloud services include software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service.
Cloud security is important because it involves protecting data and resources from unauthorized access, disclosure, and modification. The following are some of the factors that make cloud security unique:
Virtualization
Cloud computing involves virtualization, allowing multiple users to share the same underlying infrastructure. This feature makes it difficult to manage security because security risks are not limited to a single user but may span across multiple users.
Control
One of the primary benefits of cloud computing is the ability to outsource IT infrastructure to a third-party provider. However, outsourcing can also create risks because there is less control over the security measures implemented by the provider.
Service Level Agreements
Cloud providers typically offer service level agreements (SLAs) that detail the level of security and data privacy guarantees they provide. These SLAs can vary between providers and may not cover all security risks.
Multi-tenancy
Similarly to virtualization, cloud computing often involves multi-tenancy, which allows multiple users to share the same applications and databases. This feature makes it easier to manage infrastructure but can also create new risks due to the possibility of data leakage between different users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both IoT security and cloud security are important issues that need to be addressed. Both have unique characteristics and challenges that require different approaches to mitigate risks. IoT security requires a more device-centric approach, focusing on scalability, resource constraints, and diversity. Whereas, cloud security requires a more provider-centric approach, focusing on virtualization, control, SLAs, and multi-tenancy.
At Flare Compare, we understand that security is a priority for your business. That is why we offer secure and reliable cloud infrastructure for your applications and data. To learn more, visit our website and chat with one of our experts.
References
- Symantec (2018) The Internet of Things (IoT) Security Landscape. [online] Available at: https://www.symantec.com/content/dam/symantec/docs/reports/istr-23-2018-en.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2021].
- CSA (2017) Guidance for Critical Areas of IoT Security. [online] Available at: https://downloads.cloudsecurityalliance.org/assets/research/internet-of-things/iot-security-guidance-v1.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2021].
- Gartner (2019) Gartner Top 10 Security Projects for 2019-2020. [online] Available at: https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/3968109/top-10-security-projects-for-2019-2020 [Accessed 19 July 2021].