Which cloud-specific risk must be considered when moving infrastructure operations to the cloud?

When transitioning infrastructure operations to the cloud, a critical risk that must be considered is the lack of physical access. In a cloud environment, organizations typically rely on third-party service providers to manage and secure physical servers and infrastructure. This introduces a layer of abstraction between the organization and its data and assets. Unlike on-premises setups where a company has direct control over the physical environment, in the cloud, organizations may not be able to physically inspect or manage the hardware that stores their data.

This lack of physical access can pose significant challenges, particularly in terms of trust and security. Organizations must depend on cloud service providers to ensure proper physical security measures are in place, including protection against unauthorized access, environmental hazards, and physical theft. Additionally, if a problem arises—such as a security breach or a hardware failure—the organization may have to rely on the cloud provider's response time and protocols, which can impact the organization's operational resilience.

Considering this risk is essential in the due diligence process while choosing a cloud provider and in developing strategies to mitigate potential vulnerabilities linked to physical access limitations.