With the exponential growth of data in the digital age, securing and storing big data has become a major concern for companies and organizations. As we enter 2024, data breaches remain common, with over 5,000 publicly reported breaches exposing over 9 billion records in 2023 alone according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Selecting secure and reliable big data storage solutions is crucial.
Major Security Threats to Big Data
Big data faces various security threats that need to be addressed:
Data Breaches
Data breaches occur when cybercriminals infiltrate networks and steal sensitive information. Preventing unauthorized access is essential.
Malware Infections
Malware like viruses, spyware, and ransomware can corrupt data sets and analytics platforms. Robust cybersecurity measures are vital.
Data Leaks
Data leaks happen when insiders accidentally expose data or intentionally steal it. Access controls and encryption safeguard data.
Network Intrusions
External attacks on infrastructure and applications put data at risk. Firewalls, threat monitoring, and prompt patching thwart intrusions.
Key Features of Secure Big Data Storage
To overcome these threats, the most secure big data storage solutions have:
Powerful Encryption
Encryption scrambles data so only authorized parties can read it, protecting data at rest and in transit.
Granular Access Controls
Access controls like multi factor authentication, role permissions, and audit logging restrict data access.
Anomaly Detection
AI-driven anomaly detection spots unusual activity indicative of cyber threats and stops attacks.
Backup and Recovery
Backups enable restoring data compromised by malware or accidents, minimizing disruption.
Hardened Infrastructure
A hardened infrastructure limits attack surfaces through micro-segmentation, OS-level security, and intrusion prevention.
Top Secure Big Data Storage Services
With these criteria in mind, the most secure enterprise grade big data storage platforms are:
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics provides industry leading security capabilities for cloud data warehousing, including Always Encrypted query processing, row-level security, and Azure Active Directory integration.
IBM Cloud Object Storage
IBM Cloud Object Storage employs vault locking, tamper-resistant hardware, and built-in encryption to keep massive data sets secure. Immutability features also prevent tampering or deletion.
Amazon S3 Glacier and S3 Glacier Deep Archive
Amazon S3 Glacier and S3 Glacier Deep Archive deliver powerful security safeguards along with cost efficient long term data retention. Security controls include lockable vaults, VPC endpoints, and rigorousSOC compliance.
Cloudera Data Platform
The Cloudera Data Platform (CDP) provides enterprise data security on robust hybrid/multi-cloud architecture, leveraging Ranger, Atlas, and Navigator for fine-grained authorization, automation, and data discovery.
| Service | Encryption Capabilities | Access Controls | Anomaly Detection | Backup Features | Hardened Infrastructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics | Always Encrypted, Transparent Data Encryption | Row-level security, Azure AD integration | Anomaly detection APIs | Geo-redundant storage, point-in-time restore | OS/network security layers |
| IBM Cloud Object Storage | Vault lockdown, built-in encryption | IAM access control | Activity Tracking | Cross-region replication | Hardened facilities and hardware |
| Amazon S3 Glacier and Deep Archive | Client-side and SSE encryption | IAM, bucket policies, VPC endpoints | Amazon GuardDuty integration | Versioning support | Highly durable infrastructure |
| Cloudera Data Platform | Transparent encryption, key management | Ranger authorization, Atlas automation | Navigator metadata management | Snapshots, backup/recovery | Micro-segmentation, Metron monitoring |
Other Noteable Services to Secure Data
Google Cloud Storage
- Implements server side encryption and Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls.
- Allows bucket and object level access control.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Object Storage
- Provides encryption and comprehensive access controls.
- Integrates with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Identity and Access Management.
Snowflake
- A cloud-based data warehousing platform with strong security features.
- Utilizes end-to-end encryption and supports multi-factor authentication.
Alibaba Cloud Object Storage (OSS)
- Implements server-side encryption and access controls.
- Integrates with Alibaba Cloud Identity and Access Management.
Wasabi
- Offers strong encryption and access controls.
- Provides immutable storage for data protection.
Backblaze B2
- Implements server-side encryption and access controls.
- Offers client-side encryption for additional security.
Ceph
- An open-source distributed storage system.
- Supports data encryption, user authentication, and access controls.
Best Practices for Securing Big Data
To optimize data security, organizations should also:
Classify Data by Sensitivity
Tagging data by sensitivity levels facilitates applying appropriate safeguards.
Conduct Security Assessments
Pen testing and audits uncover vulnerabilities for remediation in storage infrastructure.
Build in Security from the Start
Security by design principles bake in protections upfront, rather than bolting them on later.
Continually Patch and Update
Prompt patching ensures existing systems have the latest security defenses.
Provide Security Training
User education minimizes risky behaviors that can expose data to threats.
Conclusion
With cyberattacks and data exposures endangering sensitive information, selecting secured big data storage solutions is key. Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics, IBM Cloud Object Storage, Amazon S3 Glacier and Deep Archive, and Cloudera Data Platform constitute premier enterprise grade options, integrating robust encryption, access controls, anomaly detection, backups/recovery, and hardened infrastructure to overcome malware, insider, and network threats. Additionally, organizations should adopt ongoing security best practices from classification schemes to personnel training to keep data safe well into the future. Applying these measures will result in big data stores that remain impenetrable throughout 2024 and beyond.
FAQs
What are the main threats to big data security?
The major threats are data breaches, malware infections, insider data leaks, and network intrusions by cybercriminals aiming to steal or compromise sensitive data.
What features make a big data storage service secure?
Key security capabilities include powerful encryption, granular access controls, AI-enabled anomaly detection, comprehensive data backup/recovery features, and hardened IT infrastructure.
Which big data storage platform is the most secure?
Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics ranks as the most secure major big data storage solution thanks to its Always Encrypted functionality, row level security, and additional Azure security tools integration.
How can you improve big data security at your company?
Tips for better data security include classifying data by sensitivity level, performing regular security assessments, building in security by design, patching systems promptly, and training personnel on risks.
What emerging data security technologies help protect big data?
Cutting edge protections like homomorphic encryption for encrypted search/computation as well as confidential computing using hardware enclaves will soon bolster big data security.
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