How do IaaS platforms handle security threats?

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) platforms manage security threats through a combination of provider-managed safeguards and customer responsibilities. The core principle is a shared security model: the provider secures the underlying infrastructure (physical servers, hypervisors, network hardware), while customers are responsible for securing their own workloads, applications, and data. For example, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud implement strict physical security for data centers, including biometric access controls, surveillance, and redundant power systems. At the network layer, they offer tools like virtual firewalls (e.g., AWS Security Groups) and isolated virtual networks (e.g., Azure VNETs) to segment traffic and block unauthorized access. Providers also patch hypervisor vulnerabilities and monitor for infrastructure-level attacks, such as hardware exploits or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attempts.

Data protection is another key focus. IaaS platforms encrypt data at rest by default (e.g., Google Cloud’s server-side encryption) and provide options for customer-managed encryption keys. For data in transit, TLS is enforced for communication between services. Identity and access management (IAM) systems, such as AWS IAM or Azure Active Directory, let customers define granular permissions to limit user and service account privileges. Automated monitoring tools like AWS GuardDuty or Azure Security Center detect anomalies, such as unusual API activity or unauthorized configuration changes, and trigger alerts. Providers also undergo regular third-party audits (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001) to validate compliance with security standards, giving customers transparency into their practices.

Proactive threat mitigation involves both the provider and the customer. IaaS platforms deploy global DDoS protection (e.g., AWS Shield, Google Cloud Armor) to absorb large-scale attacks before they impact customer workloads. Providers also maintain incident response teams to address infrastructure breaches, while customers must patch their own virtual machines, harden OS configurations, and secure application code. For instance, leaving a storage bucket publicly accessible (a common misconfiguration) remains the customer’s responsibility. Tools like Azure Policy or AWS Config help enforce security baselines, such as disabling unused ports or enabling logging. By combining platform-level safeguards with customer diligence, IaaS reduces risks but requires developers to actively manage their part of the shared model.