One of the most important trends for businesses and consumers alike is big data and how it can be used. When you combine this with the trend of cloud computing, there are a few security-related issues that can arise. To begin with, youll need to think about how to secure information in the cloud, as well as how you can make the most of big data analysis techniques to prevent security issues.
Realize the Danger of Security Breaches
Big Data is used by most businesses for marketing purposes and the information obtained from consumers can be used to analyse trends and make predictions for future use. Data collected includes everything from click stream information to web logs. However, with large volumes of data stored in the cloud the ramifications of a security breach can be more wide-reaching than your average stolen password.
It could lead to your business no longer being trusted and end-up having unfortunate legal consequences as well. Cloud storage systems are extremely useful for storing big data in an organized fashion, but they present their own security challenges that are constantly shifting in comparison to data stored on-premises.
Risks to Consider
There are risks inherent with both the use of Big Data and cloud computing. When it comes to Big Data, the fact that this is a new technology for many of us means that we are more vulnerable to security breaches. Open source code is often used, and there is opportunity for malicious data input. Security risks for both cloud computing and the use of Big Data include the fact that data is accessed from multiple locations, which is hard to control. If your business allows employees to work remotely, they may be on networks which are less than secure. And if data is stored offshore, it may fall pretty to lax security regulations.
Using Encryption
So both Big Data and the cloud come with risks as well as their numerous benefits. One of the primary tools at your disposal at the moment to better secure your data is encryption. Simple compression tools allow you to zip files and encrypt them with passwords, which works for personal or business files on a smaller scale. For larger volumes of data, software like TrueCrypt can be used to scramble your files on a widespread scale. And if youre using cloud services, look for ones that offer encryption as part of the package, like Wuala.
Using Faster, more Secure Networks
The type of network you use to access cloud services is also important. With ultra-fast 5G speeds on the horizon, it will be possible to transfer vast quantities of data more securely and efficiently. A number of big name companies are hard at work on these possibilities at the moment, including Nokia Networks, Huawei, and others.
Using Big Data for Added Security
So once you have a handle on how to better protect your data in the cloud, the next step is to think about how to use Big Data analysis as a security tool in itself. Big Data can be used in fraud detection and prevention, by screening for threats on a more sophisticated level. By analysing data patterns and sifting through a vast range of data sources, businesses stand a better chance of recognising any incidents that seem amiss. Big Data gives businesses the capability of casting a wider net to set up new, more efficient intrusion detection and prevention systems. This could help businesses pinpoint even insider attacks at an earlier stage than with the usual cloud security measures alone.
