Virtual Hardware-Specific Security Configuration Requirements

Securing virtual hardware in the cloud presents unique challenges primarily because of the shared nature of underlying physical hardware and the dynamic, multi-tenant environment. In cloud computing, multiple VMs often share the same physical hardware resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage. This shared infrastructure introduces a challenge in implementing traditional air-gap designs, where physical separation ensures security, as VMs from different users coexist on the same servers. The concept of “noisy neighbors” refers to situations where the performance of one VM on shared hardware impacts the performance of neighboring VMs. This dynamic resource sharing can lead to security challenges, especially if one VM poses a security risk to others.

In cloud environments, the effective provisioning of virtual hardware plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal performance and resource utilization. Striking...