a. Centralised Data :

Cloud Computing allows data to be centralized and to process faster and cheaper when compared to hard disks, backup devices and other storage.

b. Incident Analyses :

In case of analyses of Cloud computing setup on Infrastructure as a Service, you can setup an offline cloud instance and bring it online when required. In cloud computing, you can only pay for the storage which can be used at a later when required. You can clone your cloud servers and make them available as when required. A system which is better than RAID, and can also reduce the downtime. Cloud servers are relatively fast and made faster to replicate the file system. You can also decrease time to access protect documents.

c. Password breach test :

You can use cloud servers for password breach and testing purposes.

d. Logging :

In case of cloud computing, logging is minimal or non-existent. Cloud computing improves log indexing and searches. You can index logs in real-time.

e. Security Software improvement :

The efficiency is improved by security software and all inefficieny process are removed.

f. Secure cloud builds :

When you build cloud, it is important to pre-hardened the security and virtualization advantage is that it hardens the cloud build. It also reduces the time of cloning and patching.

g. Security test :

You can reduce the cost of security testing by hosting on a cloud hosting platform

Considering security has been one of the major concerns today and to analyze, today let’s view which are the most 10 secure Linux operating System distributions on Cloud platform. The only way you can think of is updating pacthes and installing security fixes, and maintaining a firewall. These are effective, yet not convincing. You need to take a broader step to make your cloud server secure than before which includes installation of security fixes, patches, penetration testing, security audits, intrusion prevention and intrusion detection. These are likely few ways you can secure your cloud computing system.

Let’s see a few here and how you can secure your Cloud hosting server :

1. Astaro Security Appliance :

Astaro security linux mainly come in three flavours which are hardware, software and virtual. It also offer appliances built specifically for network security, mail security, web security and web application security supported by VMware platform

The network security virtual appliance also includes a firewall, intrusion protection, DoS attack protection, NAT tools, VPN, IPSec Remote Access and much more.

2. BackTrack Linux

Another known is BackTrack Linux which is most acclaimed Linux security distribution. It is a security-based system mainly aims for network and server penetration testing. It can easily be run from a bootable DVD or any other storage. It is a specialized distribution mainly created to assist security professionals in taking actions in security audits on networks. You don’t need to be a professional to act security performance test.

3. IPFire

A firewall distribution system which is very small, yet very handy and secure. It has it’s own packaging system called Pakfire which mainly delivers all updates and new packages viar encrypted transfer and digital signature. It also has additional addon’s which are easy to install. This includes Samba, NFS, mail services, anti-virus, multi-media applications, VoIP applications, intrusion detection, network tools, security tools, backup tools and other applications.

4. Lightweight Portable Security

LPS distribution which mainly boots a thin Linux system from a CD or USB drive. It cannot run from a local hard disk. It mainly intends use for LPS-Public version to allow safe, public, general-purpose web browsing and LPS-remote access to mainly access all internal networks. It provides secure browsing to banking transactions and other security sensitive sessions.

5. Live Hacking DVD

This DVD allows Live ethical hacking through DVD which has a full graphical desktop interface and CD command line tool. The requirements for installation of this DVD is minimal.

6. EnGarde Secure Linux

You can EnGarde Secure Linux distribution for an internal server. It has features such as intrusion detection, administration, secure network services, alerts, web services, DNS services, firewall, mail services and access to Guardian Digital Support Network. It provides free access to all systems and security updates. It schedules updates every month and can be downloaded easily.

7. NetSecL

It is an OpenSUSE-based distribution that features GrSecurity, chroot hardening, audits and penetration software. It can be used as a desktp, server or even for ethical hacking system. It is a live DVD and can be installed on a hard disk. It is a complete suite of improving your security mainly used by ISP’s and hosting companies.

8. SmoothWall Express

It is known to be one of the best business firewall solutions. It is a security-hardened GNU/Linux OS with a simple to use web interface. It creates a basic firewall system and supports many hardware, working with multiple connections.

9. Openwall GNU/Linux

It is a security-enhanced distribution for virtual appliances ( cloud hosting ), hardware appliances and servers. It is compatible with RHeL and used by many security professionals for security testing and password cracking.

10. Vyatta

It is a commercial security appliance that deliver appliance for every network class includes cloud architectures. It works with VMware, XenServer and KVM.

You can download or install any of the above security-enhancement systems to make your linux cloud hosting servers more secure.