Cloud Computing Security

Overview

Cloud Computing Security: Architecture, Threats, and Enterprise Defense Strategies is a comprehensive graduate-level textbook that bridges the critical gap between theoretical security principles and their practical application in modern cloud environments. Written by Dr. Mohammed Ali, who holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Morgan State University (2018), this book brings a systematic, evidence-based approach to cloud security education. His doctoral research examined how student-technology interaction affects satisfaction and learning outcomes in online education—a perspective that informs the book’s emphasis on how organizations and individuals interact with security technologies.

The book is structured as a complete 8-chapter graduate course, designed to be delivered over a standard academic semester or used for self-study by professionals seeking to deepen their cloud security expertise. Each chapter includes clear learning objectives, comprehensive technical content, integrated case studies, review questions, and hands-on exercises accessible through the companion website at https://courses.beidat.com.

Hands-On Exercises

Each chapter includes practical exercises accessible through the companion website:

Chapter 1: Explore cloud service models and compare security responsibilities
Chapter 2: Scan container images for vulnerabilities and implement secure configurations
Chapter 3: Use CSPM tools to identify common misconfigurations
Chapter 4: Develop a comprehensive cloud risk register
Chapter 5: Implement least-privilege IAM policies with RBAC and ABAC
Chapter 6: Configure KMS with BYOK and test key deletion impact
Chapter 7: Design and implement a secure VPC architecture
Chapter 8: Build and test detection rules with SOAR playbook development

Target Audience

• Graduate students in cybersecurity, computer science, and information assurance programs

• Cloud architects seeking to incorporate security into their designs

• Security professionals expanding their expertise to cloud environments

• IT auditors and compliance officers navigating cloud regulatory requirements

• Technical managers overseeing cloud security programs

• Practitioners in Africa, the Middle East, and other rapidly developing regions seeking regionally relevant examples