1.1 Introduction
Cloud computing is defined as a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, and on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and services that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction (Mell & Grance, 2011). It has emerged as a transformative technology, providing scalable and cost-effective IT solutions to individuals, businesses, and governments alike. The flexibility and efficiency of cloud computing have made it a preferred choice for data storage, application deployment, and collaborative services across various sectors. However, as cloud computing continues to grow in adoption and complexity, it also becomes increasingly vulnerable to security threats. Intrusions such as unauthorized access, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, malware propagation, and data breaches compromise the reliability and integrity of cloud-based services. The open and shared nature of cloud environments further exacerbates these risks, making traditional security mechanisms insufficient in ensuring comprehensive protection (Zhou et al., 2010).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations and individuals access and manage computing resources by offering scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient services through the internet. According to Mell and Grance (2011), cloud computing provides on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, enabling rapid provisioning with minimal management effort. However, the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud infrastructure presents numerous security vulnerabilities. Zhou et al. (2010) reported that the shared and multi-tenant architecture of cloud systems makes them attractive targets for cyber-attacks, including denial of service (DoS), data breaches, and malicious insider threats.
Veríssimo et al. (2006) asserted that traditional intrusion detection and prevention systems are not always sufficient to ensure uninterrupted service, especially when facing sophisticated and persistent attacks. As a result, the concept of intrusion tolerance has emerged as a complementary approach to cybersecurity in cloud computing environments. Intrusion tolerance shifts the focus from solely preventing attacks to designing systems capable of continuing their core functions even when parts of the system are compromised.
According to Kaur and Singh (2018), intrusion tolerant systems integrate redundancy, fault tolerance, and dynamic reconfiguration to minimize service disruption and limit the impact of intrusions. They contended that such systems are crucial for critical cloud services where uninterrupted access and reliability are non-negotiable. Similarly, Fernandes et al. (2014) stated that ensuring resilience through intrusion tolerance is essential to maintaining user trust and system dependability in increasingly complex cloud infrastructures.
Yasir et al. (2020) affirmed that the rise in cloud adoption across industries demands innovative security solutions that are not only preventive but also reactive and adaptive. They reported that the implementation of intrusion tolerant mechanisms is gaining momentum as organizations seek to enhance service availability and operational continuity in the face of growing cyber threats.
The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that, traditional security measures are insufficient to fully protect cloud systems due to their dynamic, distributed, and multi-tenant nature (Subashini & Kavitha, 2011). Conventional intrusion detection and prevention systems are often limited in tolerating faults or attacks without service disruption. This study is set against the backdrop of designing and implementing an intrusion tolerant system for cloud computing, with the goal of enhancing system resilience and ensuring service continuity even under attack.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Based on the investigation conducted, the existing implemented system encounters a number of challenges, with some of the most significant issues outlined below.
- Cloud computing environments are increasingly exposed to sophisticated cyber-attacks such as data breaches, denial-of-service (DoS), and insider threats.
- Traditional security mechanisms often focus on prevention and detection, but fail to ensure continued service availability during successful intrusions.
- Most existing systems lack fault tolerance and adaptive mechanisms that allow them to recover gracefully or continue functioning during and after an attack.
- There is limited integration of redundancy, fault isolation, and automated recovery features in current cloud security architectures.
- The dynamic, multi-tenant nature of cloud infrastructure makes it difficult to design security systems that operate effectively across distributed environments.
- Existing intrusion detection systems are not always effective in real-time attack scenarios or against zero-day vulnerabilities.
- Downtime resulting from intrusions negatively affects user trust, business continuity, and financial performance.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to design and implement an effective intrusion tolerant system that ensures continuous service availability, fault isolation, and data integrity in cloud computing environments, even in the presence of malicious attacks or system compromises. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To design a cloud-based intrusion tolerant framework that incorporates redundancy, intrusion detection, and automated recovery mechanisms.
- To implement and simulate the designed intrusion tolerant system using appropriate development tools and platforms.
- To evaluate the performance and resilience of the system in mitigating and tolerating various intrusion scenarios.
- To develop an address book application that will be launch as a cloud application.
- To handle the potential threats by deploying Multi-level IDS and managing user logs per group According to anomaly level.
1.5 Significance of Study
The deployment of the proposed system will hold significant relevance in the following ways.
- The study will offer a blueprint for embedding intrusion tolerance into cloud infrastructure, helping providers reduce service downtime and increase customer trust.
- It will support the development of national cybersecurity frameworks, especially in securing public data and online services hosted on cloud platforms.
- The system will provide organizations with enhanced protection for sensitive data and mission-critical operations, ultimately reducing the risk of financial and reputational losses.
- The project will serve as a reference model for building advanced defense mechanisms, enhancing their capacity to design resilient systems.
- The study will add to the body of knowledge and serve as a resource for further academic inquiry into cloud security and resilient computing systems.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the design and implementation of an intrusion tolerant system using the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Abuja as a case study. It covers the development of a system prototype that integrates redundancy, detection, and recovery features to ensure uninterrupted cloud service delivery. The scope also includes the evaluation of the system's effectiveness in maintaining availability during simulated intrusion attempts.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Cloud Computing:
Cloud computing is a technology that allows users to access computing resources such as servers, storage, and applications over the internet on a pay-per-use basis. According to Mell and Grance (2011), it enables rapid provisioning of shared computing resources with minimal management effort.
Intrusion:
Intrusion refers to any unauthorized access, use, or disruption of a system by malicious actors intending to compromise data integrity, confidentiality, or availability. It often includes attacks such as malware, phishing, or denial-of-service (DoS).
Intrusion Tolerant System:
An intrusion tolerant system is designed to maintain essential system operations even in the presence of intrusions or faults. Veríssimo et al. (2006) defined it as a system that uses replication, diversity, and automated recovery to limit the impact of attacks.
Resilience:
In the context of computing, resilience refers to a system's ability to adapt and recover from failures or attacks while maintaining continuous service. A resilient system minimizes downtime and data loss during adverse events.
Fault Tolerance:
Fault tolerance is the capability of a system to continue functioning correctly even when one or more components fail. It forms the foundation of intrusion tolerance by using redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted service.
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