What is a potential risk associated with using a public cloud?

Using a public cloud presents several advantages, such as flexibility and scalability, but it also comes with inherent risks. One of the key risks is possible data exposure due to shared resources. In a public cloud environment, multiple customers share the same physical infrastructure. This multi-tenancy model can result in security vulnerabilities if proper safeguards are not in place.

If a cloud service provider does not adequately isolate data and applications among different tenants, there is a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data. This exposure may arise from misconfigurations, software vulnerabilities, or inadequate security practices, leading to data breaches that can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of an organization’s information.

Understanding this risk is crucial for organizations when deciding on their cloud strategy, as they need to implement robust security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and proper identity management, to mitigate potential exposure of their data in a shared environment.