CASP+ Definitions: VPC

A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is a cloud computing environment that provides a private, isolated virtual network within a public cloud infrastructure.

In terms of cybersecurity, a VPC can be thought of as a secure and configurable virtual network that allows organizations to run their applications and services in a private, isolated environment. This provides an additional layer of security and control over the infrastructure and data, compared to running applications and services in a public cloud environment.

VPCs are commonly used in cloud-based environments, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure, to create a virtual network topology that is customized to meet the specific needs of an organization. VPCs allow organizations to define their own IP address ranges, configure subnets, and set up network gateways, allowing for greater control over network traffic and security.

In a VPC, traffic between instances within the same VPC is automatically encrypted and traffic between instances and other services outside the VPC can be encrypted using virtual private network (VPN) connections. Additionally, organizations can implement additional security measures, such as network access control lists (ACLs) and security groups, to control access to resources within the VPC.

Overall, a VPC provides a secure and scalable environment for organizations to run their applications and services in the cloud, while maintaining control over their network infrastructure and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data.