Blockchain Technology in Cloud Security

1. Introduction

The intersection of blockchain technology and cloud security represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cybersecurity. As cloud computing becomes increasingly integral to modern business operations, the need for robust security measures has never been more pressing. This chapter explores the integration of blockchain technology as a formidable solution to enhance the security, trustworthiness, and transparency of cloud-based systems (Figure 1). Cloud computing offers undeniable advantages, such as scalability and accessibility, but it also introduces novel challenges. Traditional centralized access control mechanisms, which have been the linchpin of security in cloud environments, possess inherent vulnerabilities. These include single points of failure, lack of transparency, and privacy concerns, which necessitate a reevaluation of access control paradigms. The motivation for this chapter emerges from the imperative to address these vulnerabilities and explore innovative approaches to fortify cloud security. Centralized access control systems, often relying on a central authority or server, are susceptible to breaches and disruptions. Moreover, the obscurity surrounding access control activities hampers effective monitoring and auditing, impeding the detection of security breaches and unauthorized access. This chapter delves into the background and motivations behind the integration of blockchain technology into the realm of cloud security. It examines the limitations of centralized access control models and the specific vulnerabilities they introduce in cloud computing. These vulnerabilities include the risks associated with single points of failure, the opacity of access control activities, and concerns surrounding data privacy.

Figure 1.

Benefits of blockchain on cloud

The motivation for adopting decentralized access control mechanisms, underpinned by blockchain, is presented as a solution to these challenges. By distributing access control decisions across a network of nodes and leveraging Blockchain’s core attributes (Tyagi, 2021) such as decentralization, transparency, and immutability, and cryptographic security organizations can fortify the integrity and reliability of their cloud-based systems.