In the recent past, there have been reports of organizations suffering security breaches. These breaches have led to the loss of highly sensitive information. In an effort to enhance the security of their systems and data, organizations have taken steps to eliminate vulnerabilities and loopholes that can be exploited by attackers. For the most part, these steps have helped to enhance the security of these organizations. However, fears remain that attacks can still occur. It is for this reason that new security protocols and technologies are being developed. Secure stream processing is among these protocols. While it is still in its infancy, this technology has already had a tremendous impact on network and data security. It is particularly useful for organizations that wish to safeguard sensitive and personal data. As this technology is refined, its effectiveness in shielding data and network systems against attacks will be enhanced.
What is Secure Stream Processing?
A complete understanding of secure stream processing can only be gained when the meaning of this technology is examined. Essentially, secure stream processing refers to a protocol that guarantees data security through a rigorous authentication process (Noll, 2016). In addition to ensuring security, secure stream processing also safeguards privacy. For example, when a firm has sensitive information about its clients that it wishes to keep private, it can integrate secure stream processing into its network and data security program. One may wonder how secure stream processing differs from other technologies. The main features that set this protocol apart from other security and privacy protections include the anti-corruption and disclosure guarantees that secure stream processing offers (Anderson & El-Ghazawi, 2017). As will be revealed later, when firms use this tool, they ensure that their data is insulated against protection and theft when a security breach occurs.
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No discussion of secure stream processing would be complete without an examination of the particular features and tools that this protocol leverages to protect data. Client authorization, authentication and data encryption are the main tools (Noll, 2016). Essentially, secure stream processing requires those wishing to access sensitive data to provide details that is then used to verify their identity, ensure that they have been granted authorization then offers access to the data. Using data encryption, secure stream processing insulates data against prying eyes. Today, an increasing number of technology companies are imbuing their products with data encryption capabilities. This trend shows that users are becoming more concerned about the risk of having their data accessed by those who lack proper authorization. By embracing secure stream processing, firms and individuals are able to ensure that their activities, data and networks are completely secured. It is important to note that Apache Kafka is among the programs that incorporate secure stream processing (Noll, 2016). When they purchase this program, firms spare themselves the need to manually implement secure stream processing into their data and network security
Advantages
Now that a brief background of secure stream processing has been provided, the discussion can proceed to examine the advantages that are enjoyed by firms that embrace this security protocol. Leveraging the benefits and power of cloud computing to fuel operational efficiency is among the advantages of secure stream processing. This is according to Anderson and Al-Ghazawi (2017). This duo joined forces to examine the benefits that accrue to organizations that adopt secure stream processing. In their text, they lament that one of the drawbacks of cloud computing is that it exposes sensitize data to the threat of theft and disclosure. They present secure stream processing a solution that makes it possible for firms to enjoy the benefits of cloud computing while remaining insulated against the security risks. For example, as Anderson and Al-Ghazawi make clear in their text, cloud computing provides firms with tremendous flexibility. Organizations are able to enjoy this flexibility without suffering the cost of data leaks and security breaches thanks to secure stream processing.
One of the impacts of security breaches is that they could lead to the loss of data integrity. According to Havet et al. (2018), secure stream processing helps to preserve integrity. It does this by preventing data corruption that can occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive data. Havet and his colleagues add that secure stream processing ensures security while maintaining processing speeds at high levels. Among the key drawbacks of other security protocols is that the processing speeds of networks and systems usually suffer. For example, when part of a network system’s resources are dedicated to security functions, it can be expected that the performance of the system will be sub-optimal. Secure stream processing does not present any adverse impacts on processing speeds. In addition to guaranteeing security and privacy, this protocol also ensures high operational efficiency.
Intrusive surveillance is one of the challenges of the modern age. As part of their efforts to promote public safety, government agencies are implementing surveillance programs. For example, it has been revealed that in a bid to boost national security, the National Security Agency developed a program through which it monitored the activities of American citizens. This revelation sparked fear and concerns regarding the violations of privacy. For firms that wish to protect their privacy, secure stream processing offers a solution (Anderson & El-Ghazawi, 2017). Many firms handle sensitive information and any leaks may cause serious devastation. If they wish to keep their data secure and away from prying eyes, it is highly recommended that the firms should make secure stream processing a central component of their security strategy.
The advantages that secure stream processing offers become clear when one examines specific applications. Military operations are an example of functions that can benefit immensely from the adoption of secure stream processing. These operations are highly sensitive as they relate to national security. Raman, Indrakshi and Xing (2011) penned an article that focuses on the role that a tailored version of secure stream processing can play in such functions as battle field monitoring. Whereas they acknowledge that battlefield monitoring is highly sensitive, they issue guarantees that the proper adoption of secure stream processing ensures that no unauthorized access to information occurs. There is no doubt that the benefits that secure stream processing offers will transform various industries and operations that rely on utmost data security and privacy. For example, in its military operations, the US government can use this technology to protect its secrets and sensitive data from its rivals who may be keen on conducting security attacks.
Rigidity is one of the flaws in the security approaches that are currently in use. This means that these approaches employ standard protocols that cannot be tailored to suit the needs of individual organizations and users. As opposed to these approaches which are rather rigid and lack the capacity for adaptability, secure stream processing is scalable (Havet et al., 2018). The implication of this is that this security protocol can be designed in a way that is consistent with the needs and existing network infrastructure that a firm has in place. For example, suppose that a firm wishes to protect a small amount of data. Given its flexibility and scalability, secure stream processing can be adopted in this case. The scalability of this security approach means that it can be used in a wide range of settings to meet a variety of security and privacy needs.
Further insights into the benefits of secure stream processing can be gained by scrutinizing such programs as Kafka which is based on this security framework. According to Noll (2016), among the main advantages of Kafka is that it places organizations and their teams at the center of data management. Noll reports that Kafka enables security teams to examine security logs to determine the appropriate course of action. For example, when the team notices that the security logs show that an error has occurred, measures can be instituted to correct the error. Since it is the framework that underlies Kafka, it is fair to conclude that unlike other solutions which lock organizations out of the data management process, secure stream processing enables the organization to take charge of the process.
The benefits of secure stream processing go beyond privacy and security. Posta (2019) penned an informative article that documents the various benefits that firms have realized after adopting such programs as Kafka whose function is made possible by secure stream processing. According to Posta, Kafka is causing serious disruptions in the business environment. It is able to have this effect thanks to its ability to integrate data from various sources. For example, a business may receive critical data from its invoices and social media accounts. The impact that this data has on the operations of the business may be limited unless the data is integrated. This is where Kafka and secure stream processing in general make a difference. This technology makes it possible for firms to bring their data under a single roof and process the data to obtain useable insights. Therefore, if they are truly dedicated to leveraging the power of technology to gain a better understanding of how they operate, firms should incorporate secure stream processing into their functions and strategies.
Limitations
Above, an overview of some of the benefits of secure stream processing has been provided. It is clear from the discussion this far that this approach holds the key to data security and privacy. However, it is difficult to ignore the fact that there are some firms that remain reluctant to adopt secure stream processing. The reluctance of these firms is informed by some o the limitations of the security protocol. One of these limitations concerns the difficulty that firms may encounter as they attempt to marry their network infrastructure, protocols and tools with secure stream processing. Anderson and El-Ghazawi indicate that secure stream processing requires both software programs and hardware for hitch-less functionality to be achieved. Suppose that the infrastructure that a firm has in place is not compatible with secure stream processing. To enjoy the benefits that this security protocol offers, the firm may be forced to upgrade its systems and this may be a costly undertaking. While the questions of compatibility may discourage the adoption of secure stream processing, it can be expected that as this protocol achieves mainstream status and is widely adopted, more progress will be made in bolstering compatibility.
Above, it has been noted that one of the drawbacks of stream processing is that it is incompatible with old technologies and infrastructure. In their article, Anderson and El-Ghazawi suggest that it is indeed possible to overcome the compatibility problem. However, they warn that even with this problem addressed, firms will be unable to enjoy the full benefit of secure stream processing. Anderson and El-Ghazawi performed a study and among its main purposes was to determine how secure stream processing performs under different conditions. They report that when this protocol is combined with traditional security approaches, the efficiency benefit that it is supposed to present may not be realized. The implication of this finding is that in order to fully leverage the power and benefit of secure stream processing, firms must replace their outdated and traditional methods with newer approaches that are more compatible with secure stream processing.
The Future of Secure Stream Processing
The discussion above has revealed that secure stream processing is not a perfect technology as it suffers from a number of flaws. However, firms can rest assured that these flaws do not impede the ability of this protocol to offer adequate protection and to ensure privacy. This discussion can now proceed to offer a project on the future of secure stream processing. As Posta predicts, the future of the protocol is indeed promising. He contends that an increasing number of firms are adopting such tools as Kafka whose effectiveness in ensuring data integration and security is made possible by secure stream processing. Posta identifies LinkedIn and Netflix as among the firms that have adopted Kafka. The fact that this tool has found favor with such large companies with a global presence can only mean that it has delivered the security and privacy benefits that it promises. It is therefore reasonable to predict that secure stream processing and the technologies that it fuels will gain wider acceptance and adoption.
The fact that large global companies have embraced secure stream processing is not the only issue that guarantees the future of this security framework. New technologies whose proper function will rely heavily on secure stream processing further cement the framework’s future. For example, today, technology has made its way into healthcare. Practitioners are now using such technologies as devices that monitor vital signs as part of the healthcare delivery process. One of the fears that have been raised in response to the adoption of these technologies is the risk of security breaches. Should a breach occur, the consequences can be catastrophic. Secure stream processing promises to allay fears and challenge individuals and firms to have greater confidence in the medical devices. Driverless cars are yet another technology that underscores the permanent place of secure stream processing in human endeavors. For these cars to deliver the gains for which they are being developed, data security, integrity and privacy must be guaranteed. As noted in a previous section, secure stream processing insulates data against attacks and unauthorized access. Therefore, as driverless cars and medical devices become more advanced and ubiquitous, it can be expected that secure stream processing will also gain mainstream status and recognition. In summary, the possibilities that secure stream processing offers are endless. For this reason, one can confidently predict that this protocol is here to stay.
Conclusion
Security breaches remain among the gravest threats that firms face today. When they occur, they cause costly loss of sensitive data. In order to ensure that the breaches do not disrupt their operations, firms need to invest in security protocols and tools. Secure stream processing is undoubtedly among the most reliable frameworks for guaranteeing security. In addition to keeping information secure, this protocol has also proven effective in safeguarding privacy, especially in sensitive functions such as military operations. Secure stream processing also facilitates data integration, making it possible for firms to fully exploit information. Issues regarding compatibility are among the chief drawbacks that may discourage firms from embracing secure stream processing. However, the benefits of this protocol far outweigh the few limitations. Therefore, firms should move with speed to integrate secure stream processing into their data management and network functions.
References
Anderson, J., & Al-Ghazawi, T. (2017). Hardware support for secure stream processing in cloud environments. Proceedings of the Computing Frontiers Conference, 283-86.
Havet, A., Pires, R., Felber, P., Pasin, M., Rouvoy, R., & Schiavoni, V. (2018). SecureStreams: a reactive middleware framework for secure data stream processing. Proceedings of DEBS 2017. DOI: 10.1145/3093742.3093927
Noll, M. (2016, July 21). Secure Stream Processing with the Streams API in Kafka. Retrieved from https://www.confluent.io/blog/secure-stream-processing-with-kafka-streams/
Posta, C. (2019). What is Apache Kafka? Why is it so popular? Should you use it? Tech Beacon. Retrieved April 5, 2019 from https://techbeacon.com/app-dev-testing/what-apache-kafka-why-it-so-popular-should-you-use-it
Raman, A., Indrakshi, R., & Xing, X. (2011). Multilevel secure data stream processing. IFIP Annual Conference on Data and Applications Security and Privacy, 122-137.
