Data Security and Compliance in Cloud Environments: Addressing the implementation of data security measures

Abstract

The rapid adoption of cloud computing has witnessed unprecedented enhancements in data storage capacities, scalability, and operation flexibility for diverse organizations. Yet, the transition from legacy on-premises to cloud-based environments has raised grave concerns about information safety and compliance with regulations in evolving regulatory environments. This research will discuss the most significant challenges and innovative solutions for the deployment of data security mechanisms in cloud environments, with special reference to regulatory compliance from 2015 to 2024. Though cloud vendors have taken major leaps in enhancing the security of cloud centers, some of the longstanding issues like threats to multi-tenancy, poor encryption methods, vendor lock-in situations, and jurisdictional issues continue to create significant problems. In addition, with the regulatory environment in flux, organizations are also facing challenges in terms of compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA in the context of cloud computing. This research tries to determine the gaps in existing literature regarding the integration of sophisticated technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and machine learning (ML), into cloud security frameworks. In addition, it addresses the organizational challenges in ensuring continuous compliance and adequate data protection, especially in hybrid and multi-cloud settings. The research further explores the limitations of conventional security controls, emphasizing the requirement for automated compliance solutions, strong encryption techniques, and new security models such as Zero Trust and federated identity management.