In cloud computing environments, files are not stored in a hierarchical way. Most cloud architectures use a combination of splitting data vertically, horizontally and replication to improve response times, scalability, availability and fault tolerance. This is called object storage. Objects are accessible through APIs or through a web interface.
Object storage introduces new challenges related to data consistency, which are not present in relational databases. One of the more fundamental decisions cloud professionals need to make is whether they will choose eventual consistency for data in corporate systems or strong consistency.
Selecting a data consistency model is a decision that cloud security professionals must make. Both models are useful tools in the hands of cloud professionals, who must determine the best tool to use. The two consistency models favor either availability or consistency over the other. Understanding that eventual consistency is not an alternative to strong consistency is important to address all business use cases.
The (ISC)² Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) can make the right decision considering all business concerns about data consistency, availability, overall system performance and user experience.
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