Layer1: Security Infrastructure

Author Gaurav joshi

Introduction

Big Data is defined as managing a huge volume of disparate data at the right speed and within the correct time frame to allow real-time analysis and reaction. These enormous amounts of data could be structured, unstructured and semi-structured.

In today's blog, we will discuss the security infrastructure requirement for big data. The Security Infrastructure requirement for big data is similar to the security infrastructure required for the traditional data environments. Business needs must closely align with the Security Infrastructure. Unique challenges arose when big data became part of the business strategy planning described in the blog one by one below. These challenges are

Data Access
Application Access
Data Encryption
Threat Detection

Data Access

User access to raw or computed big data has the exact technical requirements as non-big data implementations. Big data needs to be made available only to those who have a legitimate business need to analyse the data or need to interact with the data. Most essence data storage platforms have rigid security schemes and are often augmented with a federated identity capability, providing appropriate access across the many layers of the architecture.

Application Access

Application access to big data is very similar and straightforward in terms of technical perspective. Most API (Application Programming Interface) offers protection against irregular or unauthorised access or usage of big data. Application-level protection is the most adequate for most big data applications.

Data Encryption

Data Encryption refers to the conversion of plain text (unencrypted data) to ciphertext(encrypted data). Only the legitimate user could understand the encrypted text using an encryption key and decrypted text using a decryption key. The most challenging security aspect in a big data environment is Data Encryption. In traditional environments, encrypting and decrypting data stresses the system's resources. This problem is aggravated by the 3V characteristics of significant data volume, velocity, and varieties. The most straightforward approach is to provide more and faster computational capability. However, excellent computational capability comes with a great price tag. Another approach could be identifying the data elements required for data encryption security and encrypting only the necessary items.

Threat Detection

The increase in handheld devices like mobile devices and the popularity of social media networking increases the amount of data and becomes a boon to the industry. With the increase in individual devices, there is also an increased security threat. Hence it becomes essential for the organisation to get protected from these threats by taking a multiparameter approach to security.

Conclusion

So Security Infrastructure helps us protect all the elements in your Big Data environment. For a long time, programmers have used APIs to provide access to and from the software implementations. Although it is beneficial, IT professionals sometimes need to create custom or proprietary APIs exclusive to the company.IT professionals need to do this for competitive advantage, a need unique to their organisation or some other business demand, and it is not that simple task. APIs also need to be very well documented and well maintained to preserve the value of the business.

FAQs

What are the unique challenges aroused by implementing security infrastructure?
The Security Infrastructure requirement for big data is similar to the security infrastructure required for the traditional data environments. Business needs must closely align with the Security Infrastructure. Unique challenges arose when big data became part of the business strategy planning like Data Access, Application Access, Data Encryption and Threat Detection.
What is Data Encryption, and how has it become a challenge for implementing security Infrastructure in Big data?
Data Encryption refers to the conversion of plain text(unencrypted data) to ciphertext(encrypted data).The most challenging security aspect in a big data environment is Data Encryption. In traditional environments, encrypting and decrypting data stresses the system's resources. This problem is aggravated by the 3V characteristics of significant data volume, velocity, and varieties.
What challenges are imposed by threats in setting up Big data security Infrastructure?
With the increase in Individual devices, there is also an increased security threat. Hence it becomes essential for the organisation to get protected from these threats by taking a multiparameter approach to security.

Key Takeaways

In this article, we have discussed Security Infrastructure for Big Data. I hope this article must have helped you improve your learning about Big Data. To get more knowledge about Big Data, practice some quality SQL questions. Also, please visit our Guided Path in Coding Ninjas Studio to get more knowledge about such content. If you are preparing for an interview, visit our Interview Experience Section. To become more confident in DSA, try out Interview Problems in our Code studio. All the best for your future coding adventures, and till then, Happy Coding.