What is a cloud security incident?

A cloud security incident is defined as an event that compromises the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of cloud data or services. This definition encapsulates the key aspects of what constitutes a security incident in a cloud environment.

In cloud computing, where data and services are often highly interconnected and accessible over the internet, any situation that leads to unauthorized access, alteration of data, disruption in service, or loss of data can be considered a serious security incident. This may include unauthorized data breaches, service outages due to DDoS attacks, or misconfigurations that expose sensitive information. Recognizing incidents that threaten these three core principles—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—is essential for maintaining a secure cloud environment.

Other choices do not accurately capture the essence of a cloud security incident. Events that improve system performance or routine checks of security settings do not relate to a security breach or compromise. An occurrence that only affects virtual machines may not encompass the broader implications of incidents that can affect all aspects of cloud data and services. Thus, the definition that centers around compromising essential security properties is the most accurate.