Security In The Cloud

09/11/09

By John Dudmesh, Cloud Data’s Technical Director

IT security is always about trust. We trust, often implicitly, that the technology we purchase and install on our own networks will protect us from security threats.

While few people know more than the basics about the workings of different security technologies, such as firewalls and anti-virus software, it’s not difficult to select a reputable security provider on the basis of some simple research. It’s no different when choosing a “cloud computing” provider that can guarantee the highest levels of security across its network.

Cloud computing is where services such as data storage and software applications...

...are hosted remotely and delivered to users over the Internet. The benefits of cloud computing are increasingly being recognised by small and medium-sized businesses, not least of which is the economies of scale that enable cloud providers to invest in the most sophisticated security technology on the market. Because this technology covers their whole network, it brings enterprise-grade security within the ambit of small- and medium-sized companies.

There is, however, still some scepticism — healthy, though largely unwarranted — about how secure computing in the cloud can be. Many organizations are uncomfortable with the idea of storing their data and applications on systems they do not control. This wariness isn’t helped by a lack of a universally-agreed set of best practice standards for secure cloud computing, which makes it difficult for business owners to know what to demand from their cloud providers, and thus to carry out the necessary due diligence that such a critical business decision demands.

The good news is that by asking the right questions and following a simple checklist when choosing cloud-based services, business owners can ensure that they select a provider who can guarantee the highest possible levels of security, and begin to reap the benefits... continued on page two >

 

 

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