8. A company backs up customer data to an external cloud storage provider. Which security measure ensures the data remains confidential even if the provider is compromised?
Answer: D
Encrypting data before uploading ensures confidentiality
Encrypting data before uploading it to the cloud storage provider guarantees that even if the provider is compromised, the data remains confidential and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
A) Deploying a firewall
Deploying a firewall is a network security measure that controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. While it can help protect the network from external threats, it does not specifically ensure the confidentiality of data stored in the cloud, especially if the provider is compromised.
B) Using a VPN connection
Using a VPN connection enhances security by creating a secure tunnel for data transmission between the user and the cloud provider. However, while it protects data in transit, it does not secure the data once it is stored in the cloud, meaning that confidentiality could still be at risk if the provider is compromised.
C) Implementing a web filter
Implementing a web filter is primarily aimed at controlling access to web content and preventing exposure to harmful sites. This measure does not address data confidentiality in cloud storage, as it does not encrypt or protect the data itself once stored.
D) Encrypting data before uploading
Encrypting data before uploading is a critical security measure that transforms the data into a coded format, making it unreadable to anyone who does not possess the decryption key. This ensures that even if the cloud storage provider is compromised, the data remains confidential and protected from unauthorized access.
Conclusion
Encrypting data before uploading is the definitive measure that protects the confidentiality of customer data in cloud storage, effectively rendering it inaccessible even in the event of a security breach at the provider. Other options, while useful for different aspects of security, do not provide the same level of protection for data at rest in the cloud.