Virtualization Security Issues : Security issues arise in the virtual environment

Abstract: The thesis is submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of a Master's degree in network Forensics at Halmstad University, Sweden. The author had selected VirtualizationSecurity as a valid issue for cloud computing service. In choosing this topic had the intention to apply the acquired knowledge during the Master's course, in search of practical solutions for computer security issues. This study report is classified into six segments and a conclusion. These are the introduction, background, research methodology, literature review, summary, discussions, conclusion, and recommendation (future work). InformationTechnology (IT) sector had encountered numerous and ever-emerging security issues, including those in virtual environments, which have become a big concern for organizations. Virtualization is the use of software to accommodate multiple operating systems on a computer system simultaneously, which can be applied from anywhere, given that there is internet connectivity. So the user can have access and can resolve the security issues. However, some constraints are limiting the benefits of the Virtualization of servers. The objective of this project is to study Virtualization as a valid means of solving IT security issues. Also, to assess mitigation approaches that can enhance Virtualization in the computing environment. To accomplish such objectives, this study had undergone a systematic literature review to learn the variety and nature of security issues of the virtual environment. Accordingly, the study had undertaken the classification of security issues to determine effective mitigation methods. The study had realized that there are around twenty-two known security issues, which are classified and described in section six of the report. Virtualization, as the subject study: three mitigation schemes are reviewed and discussed to alleviate important virtualization security issues (chapter seven of this Thesis).Moreover, the effects of the proposed mitigation techniques on the virtualization security issues on the CIA model (Availability, Integrity, and Confidentiality) are explained in brief. The model allows the researcher to quickly find the appropriate mitigation technique to manage the security issues of any virtual environment. In conclusion, the study provided a metadata reading of the security issues in the virtual environment. And apply the selected methods to solve the security issues, which proves that the virtualization technology is the critical element of utilizing computing power to its maximum capacity by executing process simultaneously without downtime, however IT security issues are continuously evolving and the research mission is always to conceive new techniques.