Robust security measures are not mere features; they are essential components of any viable product or service. Security must be ingrained in every aspect of design and operation of software. With rapid advancements in AI and the looming influence of quantum computing, the state of “secure enough” has changed dramatically. Technologies that promise groundbreaking capabilities bring along significant new vulnerabilities; they must stay ahead of the curve to protect sensitive data and maintain trust in their systems.
Unfortunately, many companies adopt a reactive, minimalist approach to security, often viewing it as just another compliance requirement to check off a list. This mentality can be dangerous, leading to security gaps – that can be easily exploited by malicious actors.
In this blog, we shed light on the fundamentals of safeguarding your critical data assets, from fulfilling regulatory obligations to genuinely fortifying security postures, enabling your organization to adopt a more proactive approach to securing your data, all with Veeam Kasten.
Understanding Encryption
At the heart of effective data security, first and foremost, lies encryption. Think of it as an intricate lock designed to protect your data by making it indecipherable to anyone lacking the right key. Encryption algorithms transform plain data into ciphertext, a jumble of characters that are unintelligible without the appropriate decryption key. While it might be tempting to simply check the box and say you’ve applied encryption, it’s crucial to examine how you implement it to avoid a false sense of security.
To illustrate this, consider the lock-and-key analogy. If many users possess the same keys and locks, the security that encryption ostensibly provides becomes questionable. It’s akin to a master key that opens all locks: anyone who possesses that key can access all secured data — effectively nullifying security measures. This is not what you want when thinking about your backup encryption.
Such a situation leaves a major risk of key leakage, which would render all your backup data compromised. Consider in your organization how often a secret key, password, or other sensitive information is shared via Slack, Teams, or other messaging service. If the messaging platform is ever compromised, you have an internal malicious actor. Suddenly, all your data that uses the posted key or password is vulnerable to compromise. To achieve substantial protection, we must think beyond basic encryption practices and treat our data as the valuable entity it truly is.
Kasten adopts a multifaceted approach to security, ensuring that every piece of data exported from a Kubernetes cluster is encrypted, using unique keys tailored to the specific application and policy. This robust measure guarantees that even if unauthorized individuals manage to intercept or access your export storage, they will be unable to read or use the data without the corresponding decryption keys.
By default, Kasten generates its own unique encryption keys, but it also allows seamless integration with customer-managed Key Management Systems (KMS), such as AWS KMS or HashiCorp Vault. This flexibility empowers an organization to retain control over encryption keys while benefiting from Kasten’s strong security framework. Kasten also promotes best practices by supporting regular key rotation, typically every 30 to 90 days. This guardrail ensures that any potential exposure of a key (such as in the example above that references sharing via a messaging application, doesn’t lead to prolonged vulnerabilities). Such an approach not only safeguards against evolving threats but also reinforces a proactive security posture.
The Quantum Computing Challenge
While effective encryption mechanisms are crucial, it’s equally vital to consider the ingenuity of malicious actors who may seek ways to bypass encryption altogether. Just as physical locks can be picked (check out the Lockpicking Lawyer on YouTube if you don’t believe me), no encryption method is completely impervious. Given enough time, resources, and determination, even the most sophisticated defenses can succumb to breaches. Traditionally, the complexity of encryption algorithms has acted as a significant barrier, requiring considerable time and computational resources to crack.
However, the advent of quantum computing poses a substantial challenge to this paradigm. Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations at unparalleled speeds. For instance, while a traditional computer might navigate a maze by exploring each path one at a time, a quantum computer can assess multiple pathways simultaneously, fundamentally changing the landscape of problem-solving. Google’s late 2024 Willow announcement exemplifies how close we are to harnessing this revolutionary technology on a large scale, prompting a reassessment of existing encryption methods.
Encryption algorithms serve the pivotal role of converting plain text into ciphertext to protect sensitive information. For authorized users possessing the correct decryption key, access to the original data is straightforward. Under traditional computational frameworks, breaking this encryption without the key could require years, if not millennia. With the power of quantum computing, however, the timeline for undermining commonly used algorithms like RSA could shrink to mere days, posing a serious threat to conventional security measures.
To mitigate these emerging risks, Kasten employs AES-GCM 256 encryption, which is recognized for its robustness and potential resistance to quantum attacks. AES-GCM 256 is a symmetric encryption standard that not only provides formidable defense against potential breaches but remains resistant to the emerging “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics employed by cybercriminals. With this standard, Kasten ensures your data stays protected, even as quantum computing capabilities evolve.
Furthermore, Kasten is actively following the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommendations, regarding the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This engagement is crucial as organizations begin to align with emerging standards aimed at maintaining the highest levels of security against next-generation threats.
Conclusion
By preparing for the inevitable rise of quantum computing and reinforcing encryption strategies, your organization ensures ongoing, resilient data protection in an environment of increasingly common quantum threats. Using proactive measures with Kasten, you can not only strengthen your organization’s data security in the present landscape but also position yourself as ready to adapt to future technology advancements. In this rapidly advancing digital age, safeguarding data with the seriousness it deserves will ultimately define success and sustainability in any organization’s security strategy.
To learn more, watch the on-demand webinar “Ensuring Cloud Native Resilience in the AI and Quantum Era”. When you’re ready to dive deeper into Veeam Kasten, request a trial of our solution or get in touch with us.