Cloud Encryption
What is Cloud Encryption?
Cloud EncryptionThe practice of encrypting data stored, processed, or transmitted in cloud services so that only authorized parties holding the correct keys can read it.
Cloud encryption protects confidentiality across all three states: at rest (object storage, block volumes, databases, backups), in transit (TLS between clients and services and between cloud components), and increasingly in use (via confidential computing). Most providers offer default service-managed encryption with platform-rooted keys, but mature programs use customer-managed keys (CMK) in a cloud KMS or external HSM to control rotation, revocation, and access logging. Threats specifically mitigated include media theft from data centers, snapshot leakage, lateral movement after a compromise, and forced disclosure when keys are clearly held outside the provider's reach. Effective deployment combines KMS, envelope encryption, key rotation, and least-privilege key-use policies.
● Examples
- 01
AWS S3 with SSE-KMS using a customer-managed CMK.
- 02
Azure Storage Service Encryption backed by Azure Key Vault.
● Frequently asked questions
What is Cloud Encryption?
The practice of encrypting data stored, processed, or transmitted in cloud services so that only authorized parties holding the correct keys can read it. It belongs to the Cloud Security category of cybersecurity.
What does Cloud Encryption mean?
The practice of encrypting data stored, processed, or transmitted in cloud services so that only authorized parties holding the correct keys can read it.
How do you defend against Cloud Encryption?
Defences for Cloud Encryption typically combine technical controls and operational practices, as detailed in the full definition above.
What are other names for Cloud Encryption?
Common alternative names include: Encryption in the cloud.