The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Cloud Deviations and Exceptions: Refers to the instances where cloud services or deployments diverge from standard operational procedures, security policies, or compliance requirements. Deviations may be intentional or unintentional, whereas exceptions are typically authorized variances granted for specific reasons. Documenting and managing these deviations and exceptions are critical for maintaining the security and integrity of cloud environments, ensuring that risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated appropriately and that compliance with industry standards and regulations is maintained.

Cloud-First: An organizational policy or strategy where cloud solutions are prioritized and preferred over on-premises solutions. Under a cloud-first strategy, when a business needs a new application or infrastructure, the default approach is to consider cloud-based options first due to their potential benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and flexibility.

Cloud library preservation: The process of securely storing and preserving digital resources in a cloud environment. The aim is to ensure long-term accessibility, maintain data integrity, and protect the resources from data loss or corruption. Key activities include implementing secure backup strategies, maintaining versions of data, and ensuring the appropriate metadata is retained for the accurate retrieval and utilization of the resources.

Cloud logical location: The virtual or logical location of data in the cloud, which may be distinct from its physical location. This virtual location is defined by the network paths used to access the data and is relevant in contexts where data access speed, network costs, and legal or regulatory restrictions on data location are important considerations.

Cloud migration: The process of moving data, applications, or other business elements from an on-premises environment into a cloud (public or private) or from one cloud environment to another. The migration process can be a complex task, requiring careful planning and execution to minimize disruption to services and ensure data integrity and security during the transfer.

Cloud-Native: The design and development of applications specifically for the cloud environment. Cloud-native applications are designed to leverage the advantages of cloud computing frameworks, including scalability, flexibility, and resilience. These applications are generally developed using microservices architecture, managed through DevOps processes, and run in containers, enabling them to be easily scaled and modified.