Ajay Chhabria Discusses Worldwide Cyber Security Measures For Accessing Data From Cloud

When travelling it is easy to get lost in the maze of public WiFis, trying to get access to the latest news. But as the ability to connect grows so too should our wariness for our own security.

Currently, we are undergoing a period of mass digital advancement in the United States and internationally. Most of our storage is organized through “the cloud”, it is essential that we understand some safety measures to take to protect ourselves. Ajay Chhabria, currently working at Oracle in their managed Kubernetes (an open source container orchestration program) and Cloud services department as a product manager is well versed in the possible pitfalls of modern connectivity. With Cloud Storage being one of the pillars of Kubernetes Chhabria is uniquely positioned to discuss the security measures involved.

“To safeguard information while traveling or living internationally, individuals should adopt a combination of digital hygiene, secure tools, and mindful practices,” he begins. The first steps appear to be straight out of a beginner's handbook for cyber security, but are often overlooked according to Chhabria. “Create strong passwords, enable two factor authentication, and avoid clicking on any links that look suspicious.”

While taking basic steps helps to set you up for success, avoiding public wifi is a big factor. Chhabria suggests “using a wifi hotspot if you can, or if you have to connect to public wifi, use a VPN.” We often don’t think twice before connecting to public wifi networks, with the need to control apps such as Maps requiring connectivity. This extends further to using local SIM cards which may monitor you during your time on vacation.

Ultimately, it comes down to adopting “zero trust practices.” Think about how you would protect your wallet and passport in a high risk city, possibly leaving it in the hotel safe to avoid pickpockets. The same is true for accessing sensitive accounts and data, “assume networks, devices, and even conversations may not be fully secure, especially in high risk countries or regions.”

While securing your cyber safety is of utmost importance, take a moment to appreciate the digital growth happening internationally. While the United States is currently considered the leader in Cloud Services and Kubernetes adoption the rest of the world is poised to catch up. Cloud providers such as Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure are currently at the forefront of Kubernetes development and deployment offering advanced features, high performance, and strong security measures. But where does that leave the rest of the world?

“Many countries are actively working on Kubernetes (K8s) networks,” begins Chhabria. “These countries are investing in cloud-native technologies to improve their infrastructure and support the growing demand for scalable and efficient computing solutions.” So where to look for future innovations?

Israel is considered the “cybersecurity capital of the world.” With strong military influence the country fosters innovation in cyber defense. While Singapore has become a hub for cloud and cybersecurity. The country has seen major investments from AWS, Google and Microsoft, with their Smart Nation initiative integrating secure cloud infrastructure with public services.

Looking to Europe, the United Kingdom has made significant strides in recent years. “Focusing on innovation with projects like Digital Catapult and the London Cyber Innovation Center, has put the UK in a great position moving forward,” explains Chhabria. As the UK fosters innovation, Germany prioritizes data sovereignty through initiatives such as GAIA -X, a federated secure data network.

While security is important, so too is growth. With emerging nations needing to adopt cloud services in order to keep up, countries such as India and Brazil stand out. In India the focus is on growing their digital economy, they do so through government initiatives like Digital India and Make in India. “Through strong cloud services investments and an increase in cloud adoption by startups, I believe my home country is on the verge of massive growth,” says Chhabria.

Extending into Latin America’s largest economy, Brazil, the product designer sees incredible potential. “The country itself is modernizing with massive investments in IT infrastructure necessitating cloud expansion.” But their rise hasn’t been without a few bumps with some high-profile attacks on national security, Brazil has buckled down and has a growing focus on cybersecurity.

So what does this all mean? It shows the importance that cloud services and Kubernetes have played in digital expansion. It is easier now to be connected globally, but that of course has its drawbacks. At the heart of this expansion, as Chhabria puts it, “is a focus on cyber security and creating a safe platform for all users.” This involves focus from both sides, as governments and companies look to secure their cloud services, some attention is needed from the individual.

So the next time you travel, take some time to secure your data. Keep off of public networks, and if you have to use them, get a VPN. Having a data breach while on vacation could end up being worse than losing your wallet. While we are in the infancy of the cloud era, it is incredible to see the growth happening at such a fast rate. Ajay Chhabria, has been a part of this expansion, enjoying the success but also wary of any pitfalls that may lie ahead.