Encryption is the shield that safeguards your digital world, ensuring your data speaks only in a language that you understand.
“Jaikishan Tayal”
The debut of VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management introduces a versatile add-on that enables tenant administrators to utilize their chosen encryption keys, ensuring the protection of virtual machines, vApp templates, and named disks within VMware Cloud Director virtual data centers (VDCs).
What Methods of Encryption is Available in VCD?
- From VMware Cloud Director version 10.1 and beyond, the option to enhance data security is now available through VM encryption. By aligning virtual machines and disks with storage policies featuring VM Encryption capabilities, users can encrypt these components to fortify the protection of their data. For more details see the Virtual Machine Encryption documentation.
- Starting from VMware Cloud Director version 10.4.2, an update was launched, amplifying the security measures for your Virtual Machines! The inclusion of Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) devices guarantees heightened security, offering you peace of mind that your guest operating system is now more fortified than before. For more details see the blog: Deep Dive into Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) in VCD).
The encryption method mentioned above was extremely efficient and extensively used by Cloud Providers as a component of their services for customers. However, while cloud computing offers various advantages, a significant drawback is security concerns due to the physical storage of data with the cloud service provider (CSP), resulting in limited control for data owners. Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) enables control over encryption keys. Nonetheless, specific BYOK plans involve storing keys within the CSP’s system, resulting in a loss of control once again. For enterprises leveraging encryption to safeguard their data, ensuring the security of their encryption keys is imperative.
What Methods of Encryption have been Introduced in VCD 10.5.1?
Introducing with VMware Cloud Director 10.5.1, the VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management solution, featuring Bring-Your-Own-Encryption as a Service (BYOEaaS), marks a revolutionary advancement for organizations prioritizing data security, compliance, and control in the cloud. This capability allows customers to oversee encryption keys while leveraging VMware Cloud Director’s services.
Aligned with stringent Sovereign standards, this solution empowers Sovereign tenants to utilize their encryption keys (BYOK) or key management systems (BYOKMS) for virtual machine encryption. Providers have the option to host this service within their Sovereign Cloud infrastructure but are unable to access the keys, ensuring exclusive access for customers and confinement of keys within Sovereign boundaries.
In summary, VMware Cloud Director with Encryption Management, coupled with BYOK / BYOKMS, delivers a comprehensive solution, elevating data security, fulfilling compliance requirements, and maintaining encryption control.
Bring Your Own Keys (BYOK)
What is this option?
The advantage of Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) is that it allows users or enterprises to retain control and management of their encryption keys while utilizing encryption services.
Method:
- The Provider configures the platform for the tenant (Solution Add-On Management) (Provider Portal).
- The Provider establishes and links the KMS server (Provider Portal).
- The Provider grants access to this KMS for the Tenant by sharing it (Provider Portal).
- The Tenant employs the Provider’s KMS service and their own encryption key for data encryption (tenant portal).
With this service, customers can eliminate concerns regarding the licensing and setup of a KMS server within their environment. The KMS server provided to customers is a managed service handled by the provider. For a step-by-step procedure on how to perform the above tasks see “Installing and Configuring VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management as a Cloud Provider“
Bring Your Own Key Management Server (BYOKMS)
What is this option?
The advantage of Bring Your Own Key Management System (BYOKMS) is that it empowers users or organizations to control and manage their encryption keys and the system used for key management, offering enhanced security and governance over their data
Method:
- The Provider configures the platform for the tenant (Solution Add-On Management) (Provider Portal).
- The Tenant establishes and links the KMS server (Tenant Portal).
- The Tenant employs the self-managed KMS service and their own encryption key for data encryption (tenant portal).
Through this service, customers are responsible for configuring and overseeing the licensing and setup of a KMS server within their organizational environment. The KMS server in this scenario is a self-managed service by the organization. For a step-by-step procedure on how to perform the above tasks see “Using VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management as a Tenant“.
What’s in it for Cloud Service Providers?
In today’s digital landscape, the decision to transition services to cloud environments is becoming increasingly common among organizations. However, amidst this migration, security emerges as a critical concern. Examining the data graph, it becomes evident that security ranks as the second most significant worry for businesses when choosing cloud providers.
Q: What are your organization’s top cloud challenges?
All respondents: N=750, Enterprise: N=627, SMB: N=123
Source: Flexera 2023 State of the Cloud Report
This poses a compelling opportunity for service providers aiming to cater to these security apprehensions. One effective strategy is to offer customers a self-service encryption solution or a self-managed encryption service. Here, VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management service emerges as a powerful tool, empowering customers to leverage their encryption keys or encryption software.
By adopting VMware’s Encryption Management service, organizations can significantly enhance the reliability and security of their data. This approach grants customers greater autonomy and control over securing their sensitive information. It directly addresses their concerns about data security in the cloud by providing them with the tools and means to take charge of their data protection.
By allowing customers to manage their encryption keys or encryption software, VMware Cloud Director Encryption Management service not only reassures them about the safety of their data but also empowers them to proactively mitigate security risks. This proactive approach fosters a sense of confidence and trust among organizations, encouraging them to embrace cloud environments more readily.
Ultimately, offering such robust encryption management services aligns with the evolving needs of businesses seeking enhanced security measures in their cloud operations. It enables service providers to not only meet but also exceed customer expectations, solidifying their position as reliable partners in the realm of cloud services.
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