Nevertheless, it is unfortunate to notice that containerized applications through cloud computing services also introduce various specific cybersecurity challenges necessitating defensive measures and protective approaches. This is why we are focusing on such a topic within our August 2024 Newsletter targeting, among others, Software Developers and IT Architects. Abridged Definitions of Cloud Computing and Containerized Applications On the one hand, cloud computing is the on-demand availability of various computing resources – such as data storage, servers, and networking – via the Internet1. This implies you can access and utilize these computing resources without having to manage by yourself the physical hardware. Some fundamental characteristics of cloud computing are: (1) on-demand self-service: users can provision resources as needed automatically; (2) broad network access: resources are accessible throughout the Internet from diverse devices; (3) resources pooling: providers amalgamate resources to serve multiple users, dynamically allocating them on the basis of demand; (4) rapid elasticity: computing resources can be quickly scaled up or down as needed; (5) measured services: computer resources usage is monitored and invoiced on the basis of consumption. In a nutshell, cloud computing provides several benefits including cost savings, increase speed and agility, unlimited expandability, and enhanced strategic value for organizations. On the other hand, containerized applications are software applications that function within isolated environments of codes called containers. These containers package or wrap the applications along with all its dependencies – such as libraries, binaries and configuration files – into a single lightweight executable. The procedures of containerizing applications allow application development to be faster, more efficient, and more secure by dividing and separating distinctive functionalities from hardware dependencies and other pieces of software. In that way, containers can function on any host operating system and they are isolated from other software and hardware objects, making them versatile tools for designing and assembling applications that can be created once and then operated anywhere. Organizations are resorting more and more to containerized applications via cloud computing for the daily operations of their businesses. Nonetheless, weaknesses within cloud computing network can be harmful for organizations using containerized applications. Consequently, what can your organizations do to foil and stymie the potential proliferation of cloud computing network vulnerabilities, and how could the future possibly unfold? |
Read on our article published on IN-SEC-M. |
