The cloud has become a very powerful entity. When something becomes too powerful though, it can become corrupt. Cloud computing service providers like Amazon need to worry about their massive compute power being used for illicit attacks, security researchers say. In a recent CIO article, author Robert Lemos shares five security methods that Amazon and its peers are now taking to improve cloud security.

1. Easy for customers, easy for attackers

The simplicity of the cloud and its access is very beneficial for its users. Unfortunately, those same courtesies are extended to users with malicious intent.

2. Design security in from day one

Amazon says there is no reason to not provide on-demand infrastructure while also providing the security isolation that companies have become accustomed to in their existing privately-owned environments.

3. It’s all in the logs

“In a recent Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon Business found that attacks on businesses are reflected in log data more than 90 percent of the time, but less than 5 percent of companies monitor their data often enough to detect the attacks.”

4. Scale security, not just computation

Cloud computing provides large operators virtual systems at a low cost, taking advantage of economies of scale. However, providers also have to use that same scalability to better protect their resources.

5. Watch for good customers turned bad

Account hijacking is one of the most common attacks on cloud systems. “Now that attackers know that you can get, not just a book from Amazon, for instance, but a whole computing environment, those accounts become a target.”

To read Mr. Lemos article for a more in-depth look at these security suggestions head over to CIO.com or click here: When Clouds Attack: 5 Ways Providers Can Improve Security