ABSTRACT
A cloud infrastructure typically manages a number of physical nodes running an even larger number of instances. The storage component of a cloud infrastructure provides data storage services to that infrastructure. The fundamental capabilities of the storage component involve managing the storage required by the cloud infrastructure management functions. The database component of a cloud infrastructure provides a centrally managed database mechanism. Different cloud infrastructure technologies provide different levels of support for various kinds of databases. Key-value databases are also a very popular option in cloud environments. The management component of a cloud infrastructure provides the means by which users and administrators can configure and operate all the managed aspects of that infrastructure. Securing the management component is a critical part of securing a cloud infrastructure deployment. Cloud infrastructures can be extremely complex, yet it is important to understand them intimately in order to secure clouds properly.
